Ohio State's 2017-18 season was nothing short of surprising for everyone outside of the facilities at the Schottenstein Center. Now though, the page is officially being flipped.
Chris Holtmann's second Buckeye team is starting to gear up for the 2018-19 season, as the new members of the team, specifically Keyshawn Woods and C.J. Walker, have already arrived on campus and are working in open gyms with the returning players
The 2018 class has yet to arrive in Columbus, but the veterans have already begun trying to prepare for the tall task ahead of replacing the likes of Keita Bates-Diop, Jae'Sean Tate, Kam Williams and Andrew Dakich. Their absence will be felt in more ways than one, and Micah Potter is looking to help fill some of the holes.
Now entering his junior season, Potter knows that he, and the likes of C.J. Jackson will have to step up especially as expectations ramp up for the second year of the Holtmann era.
"I think people might have higher expectations for us, but at the same time, I don't know that the expectations are that high because of how much we lost," Potter said Wednesday. "We lost a lot of talent, but that is my opportunity to step up. I feel like I am ready. I am ready to take my game to the next level and hopefully this season will prove that."
One area in which Potter is trying to improve his game, is his on-ball defending. Potter saw his minutes decrease last season, going from playing 14.1 minutes per game as a freshman to just 10.1 in his sophomore campaign. Part of that was due to a high ankle sprain that forced him to miss a good portion of the non-conference slate, however once he recovered, Potter still found himself near the end of the rotation.
Potter saw his minutes decrease last season, but still managed to string together some solid performances, scoring 13 points off the bench in a win over Northwestern.
In order to earn more minutes in 2018-19, Potter said he is trying to become a more versatile defender so that he can stay on the floor when Ohio State decides to play small ball.
"I'd say the biggest thing for me, and I think I got better with it last year, I want to make sure everyone knows I can guard a lot more than just the five," Potter said. "My freshman year going into last year, I felt I was a lot better at staying in front of guards, but now I want to make sure I can guard a three or a four if I have to.
"A lot of situations last year, we went small ball and it worked very well, but I want to be able to be on the court in small ball situations."
Ohio State was able to play Bates-Diop at the five for stretches last season, a luxury it will not have next year. Potter will have to once again compete with Kaleb Wesson for minutes down low and also freshman Jaedon LeDee, who figures to factor into the rotation immediately because of his size and athleticism.
Potter said the way basketball is transitioning to a smaller, more fast-paced game has made it more challenging for him to get minutes, but added he is embracing the challenge as motivation during the offseason.
"It gets frustrating, but at the same time it is motivation, because that is clearly where the game is going. (It's) more skill oriented," he said. "You have to be able to handle the ball, run and shoot. That is just motivation for me to work to that point where I can be that kind of small ball guy."
Ohio State figures to have the talent to once again compete for a Big Ten title, but many of the questions surrounding the Buckeyes include the questions about leadership and who will take the reigns in crunch time.
Potter mentioned himself, C.J. Jackson and even Joey Lane as players who have become more vocal during the offseason, knowing full well what they have to replace from last year's squad.
"I think one of the greatest aspects of being a leader is your ability to teach. I think everyone knows the kind of leader J.T. was," Potter said. "Vocally, leading by example, everything. He set the example. So guys learn from him. Everyone is trying to step up in their own way."
