MHERST — Around the Atlantic 10 Conference, many of the supposed powers that be have become the powers that aren't.

The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team is 2-9 for the first time in 20 years. Temple lost seven straight games for the first time in John Chaney's 19 seasons as coach.

And George Washington, which visits UMass in today's A-10 opener for both teams, has lost six of its last seven. UMass isn't the only A-10 team looking at league play as a chance for a fresh start, though it may be the most desperate.

Right now, the best statistic in the Minutemen's forgettable year is their 0-0 record in the league, but that will change — for better or for worse — after today's 2 o'clock game against George Washington (6-7) at the Mullins Center.

In some respects, the Colonials represent everything UMass is not, favoring a wide-open offense that contrasts with the Minutemen's tradition of placing defense first. GW is averaging 79.1 points per game, but giving up 78.1.

The last time they met, UMass won 86-68 in an Atlantic 10 quarterfinal. Not only was that the game which probably sewed up an NIT berth, it was UMass' best effort of the year, one the Minutemen yearn to repeat today.

UMass coach Bruiser Flint thinks the Colonials are better this year, despite their slump.

"I think they play with a bit more patience than last year," Flint said. "And they're a little better in the post."

George Washington still has the explosive backcourt of sophomores Chris Monroe and SirValiant Brown, each averaging 20 points per game. But the addition of Attila Cosby and the return of Patrick Ngongba strengthens an inside game the Colonials lacked last year.

Cosby became eligible in the second semester, and is averaging 8.8 points and 8.2 rebounds after four games. Unlike the slow, hulking GW big men of coach Mike Jarvis' years, Cosby is an athletic post player who can run the floor.

Colonials' coach Tom Penders thought so highly of Cosby, in fact, that he once said he tried to avoid scheduling first-semester games, while the 6-foot-8 junior sat out.

Ngongba, a 6-8 senior holdover from Jarvis' days, is back after missing all but 12 games last year with a broken finger.

Of the guards, Brown averaged 24.6 points per game last year, and barely missed becoming the first true freshman to lead the nation in scoring as Fresno State's Courtney Alexander averaged 24.7.

But Flint is less concerned about GW's backcourt than his own. Poor play has plagued point guard Shannon Crooks and shooting guard Monty Mack, to the point where one suggestion has been for the two players to switch roles.

Flint doesn't think that would solve anything.

"Those two guys still handle the ball 85 percent of the time," Flint said. "What difference does it make who's the 1 (point guard) and who's the 2 (shooting guard)?

"If I put Monty at the point and Shannon at the 2, would it make much difference?" Flint contended. "I don't think so."

Mack, a senior whose size (6-3) would likely require him to play the point as a pro, has 18 assists and 21 turnovers. Crooks, a 6-2 junior whose scoring instincts may be more natural for the role of shooting guard or small forward, has 32 assists and 35 turnovers in his second season at the point.

"We just have to avoid those four or five minutes of disastrous basketball we keep having," said Flint, dismissing radical changes.

This season, both UMass and GW have lost by four to Richmond and by double digits to Providence — UMass by 15, and GW by 13. Both have also beaten Boston University by 16.

MHERST - Shannon Crooks isn't making excuses. The University of Massachusetts junior point guard knows he didn't play up to expectations, outsiders' or his own, in the nonconference schedule as the Minutemen went 2-9.

But as UMass gets set to open its Atlantic 10 conference schedule Saturday at 2 p.m. at the William D. Mullins Center, Crooks said he expects to be part of a turnaround.

"The first part of the season was tough. I put a lot of pressure on myself and when things didn't go my way I got a little down on myself," he said. "But the coaches talked to me and said it's a new year. Last season I wasn't playing great at the beginning of the season, but I looked to the new year to start over and I started playing a lot better. I'm just going to use this second half of the season to turn it around, starting with Saturday's game."

The biggest example of Crooks' improvement last year came in two games against George Washington. In the first game with GW last year, Crooks tried to run and gun and struggled, shooting 6-for-24, and was too often out of control.

In the second game, keeping UMass more under control, he scored 21, leading the Minutemen to a critical 86-68 win in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

"In the Atlantic 10 Tournament we played them at our pace and kept them in front of us on defense. It was a good win," Crooks said.

Even UMass coach Bruiser Flint, who can be hard on Crooks at times, praised Crooks' play in that game.

"Last year in the playoff game he played pretty good. He did a good job running the team," Flint said.

The Minutemen will try to play the game more at that pace Saturday.

"We can't run up and down," said Flint, who pointed out that the Colonials aren't running and gunning quite as much as in previous years. "They're a little more under control They're not running up and down as much."

One of the reasons GW tried to get into track meets last year was their lack of any effective interior players.

This year, with the addition of shot-blocking center Attila Cosby, a transfer from Pittsburgh and New Mexico, and power forward Patrick Ngongba's return from injury, GW can compete in the paint.

"They're better inside. They're more physical inside," Flint said. "They rebound the ball better. Cosby can block shots and Ngongba can bang you around a little. They have a better defensive presence."

Surprisingly, the increased versatility hasn't helped the Colonials, who enter the game at 6-7. Even with their inside presence, success still seems to depend on their shooting. Coach Tom Penders' club is 0-6 when they shoot under 40 percent. UMass has held five of its 11 opponents under that mark.

After opening the season 5-1, including a win over former GW coach Mike Jarvis and St. John's, the Colonials have lost six out of their next seven.

SirValiant Brown was second in the nation in scoring last year with 24.6 points per game. So far this year at 18.9, he's second on his own team as Chris Monroe leads the Colonials with 20.2 ppg.

The Minutemen may be without sophomore big man Micah Brand Saturday, as he missed practice Friday afternoon feeling under the weather. Flint was frustrated with Brand.

"Micah has to take better care of himself. He has to dress the proper way and take care of himself," Flint said. "That's why he gets sick the way he does."

Brand missed several games late last season with pneumonia. If he doesn't start, junior Jackie Rogers would replace him in the starting lineup.