So I have seen 3 predicted Big 10 Standings in the last two days: Athlon Sports (7th), Big 10 Media (7th), and CBS Sports (8th). To me, a really successful regular season would be Top 4. I don't really care about the double bye in the BTT or generally how they do in the BTT (though that was a rare bright spot last year), but a Top 4 finish likely means a decent seed in the Big Dance. And to me, that's what it is what this program desperately needs and what I crave the most: a deep March run.

So here's 5 things I think need to happen. Curious if you guys disagree with any or have more to add (besides the obvious "fire Holtmann").

1. Major Defensive Improvement- This one is pretty obvious. The steep decline in defensive efficiency in the Holtmann era is kind of baffling. The first 3 years: 15th, 25th, and 19th in KenPom defensive efficiency. And this is following having two Top 50 defenses at Butler in 3 seasons. The last 3 seasons: 82nd, 111th, and 106th. Crazy. On an optimistic note, in the last 7 games of the season (Bucks went 5-2 with 4 wins over tourney teams), they had the 59th most efficient defense in the country according to Bart Torvik. Not amazing, but sadly probably one of the best multi game stretches of the last 3 years. The fact that 3 returning young players (Bruce, Roddy, Felix) were on the court a lot for that stretch and 3 likely rotation players with strong defensive reputations (Middleton, Bonner, and Mahaffey) have been added to the mix, gives me hope. Not confident we will shoot back up to a Top 30 defense that used to be the norm for a long stretch of Holtmann's career, but I am hopeful.

2. Bruce Thornton and a Big 10 Media day buddy (Gayle or Battle) ends up on an All Big 10 Team. Not all that surprised that the Bucks are picked middle of the pack in the BIG. But when I opened up my Athlon Magazine and saw Steven Crowl's name and not Bruce's on even the 3rd Team All Big 10, I was shocked. Now individual success doesn't equate team success. Brice was a perfect example of that. I just have a tough time seeing the Buckeyes below 4th-5th if Bruce is 1st or 2nd Team All Big 10 and Roddy and/or Jamison is 2nd or 3rd Team. This team is gonna revolve around its guards, especially Bruce, more than any Holtmann team ever has.

3. The transfers can't be busts. As NoMatta mentioned on another thread awhile ago (I think), none of this year's transfers are asked to play a different role (Ice) or at a different level of competition (Tanner). I don't think any need to be HRs to hit this team's ceiling, that is more on our 3 super sophs and 3 freshmen. But we need 3 doubles or better out of the transfers. I felt like McNeil was a stand up double but Ice was a single (besides one glorious game against Iowa) and Tanner was a strikeout (besides one glorious shot). Give me a triple (Battle), stand up double (Bonner), and a just under the tag double (Mahaffey), and we are cooking with gas.

4. Our centers need to hold their own and stay relatively healthy. Even with Dickinson and TJD gone, per usual the centers, with the giant in West Lafayette leading the way, will likely be the strongest position in the BIG (and prolly why we have disappointed in the tourney the last few years but that is a whole other post). I do think the Felix and Zed compliment each other pretty well. If they can hold their own and stay relatively healthy, it will go a long way towards the team's success.

5. Gotta be playing our best ball in March. This obviously has less to do with a regular season finish and you obviously can't dig yourselves a hole anywhere near the size of last season's debacle. But I feel like only 2 of Holtmann's 6 Buckeye teams have played their best ball in March (19-20 and last year). And that is unacceptable even with some late season injuries and suspensions. Everyone complains about the rough Januaries or Februaries (last year it was both) with Holtmann. And I understand it. But that happens a lot in college bball. Look at UCONN last year. They lost 6 of 8 in January. The bigger issue is having the team limping into postseason. Can't have that this year or frankly again, if this program is gonna ever get its mojo back under Holtmann.