I am very excited, too.
The "storylines" I'm most excited about:
-Is Gilstrap as good as advertised?
-How much has Lucca improved over the summer?
-How much has Ham's game developed? (I'm thinking he has a chance to be most improved, since he is really didn't play much basketball until recently)
-Who will provide the "toughness"?
-Battles: DG/Buck/Colvin, Lucca/Christopherson
-Has Brackins learned to dominate? (Early last year, he sometimes disappeared...see the Iowa game. Late, though...dominating.)
-Will players accept their roles? (I think this has hurt us...not everyone can be getting big minutes, but everyone can contribute)
If we can get through our non-conference schedule somewhat unscathed we should be primed for a Big 12 run. The tough schedule should get these guys ready for conference play, and the strength of schedule will definitely help come NCAA Tourney time.
Not to mention we'll be playing against many different styles of basketball, that will help prepare us for different looks come tourney time...California shoots the 3 like nobody else on our schedule, a potential match-up with Northwestern and their Princeton style offense, UNI brings a more slow it down, half court approach, Drake will give us an Arizona State-like style, Iowa will be like playing Butler's scout team, and Duke will get it up and down the court...not to mention we may go against the likes of both Kyle Singler and Luke Harongody before we reach conference play!
-And can we get to the big dance?
Black Hills State returns all 5 starters from last years team. We have no chance.