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With the 2014-15 season right around the corner, it's time for a week's worth of top 10 lists to get you excited for the season. Today's topic: The challenges facing coaches this season. Of course, there could be an item for every coach and every team in Division I. But in the name of efficiency, this list focuses on programs where the spotlight will shine a little brighter this season. Arizona's Sean Miller: Advancing past the Elite Eight There would be a lot of disappointment in Tucson if a crystal ball revealed another season that ends in the Elite Eight. Miller has been to three (once with Xavier), including last season's one-point overtime loss to Wisconsin. That will serve as fuel this season, as nothing short of a Final Four appearance will be satisfying. Kentucky's John Calipari: Keeping everyone happy Assembling the talent appears to be the easy part for Calipari. Now he has to find enough playing time to appease his deepest roster at Kentucky. And we haven't even discussed managing touches and scoring opportunities. Calipari's biggest challenge may be making sure egos don't interrupt the pursuit of a championship. Kansas' Bill Self: Getting consistent point guard play The Jayhawks have had to make do without a pure point guard the past few seasons. Self has a trio competing for the spot in Conner Frankamp, Frank Mason and newcomer Devonte' Graham. Stabilizing the position could be the difference between Kansas cutting down the nets and being just another good team. Michigan State's Tom Izzo: Finding points in the paint The Spartans return plenty of post players with experience, but none appear ready to assume Adreian Payne's former role offensively. Forward Kenny Kaminski transferred to Ohio last month leaving Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling to carry the mantle. Louisville's Rick Pitino: Navigating the ACC The Cardinals' move to the ACC marks their third different league in three seasons. Louisville welcomes the adjustment, but make no mistake, it will take some getting used to the idiosyncrasies of their new home. Aside from familiar old Big East foes like Syracuse, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh, every opponent brings a different scouting report. Nebraska's Tim Miles: Taking the next step The Cornhuskers have not yet arrived as a program, although it may feel like they have after their first NCAA tournament appearance in 16 years. Miles' task now is to navigate high expectations while trying to win the program's first NCAA tournament game. One barometer will be how Nebraska plays away from home after going 4-12 in road/neutral site games last season. Texas' Rick Barnes: Making room in a crowded frontcourt Myles Turner bolsters an already strong Longhorns' frontcourt that includes Cameron Ridley and Jonathan Holmes. The problem for Barnes may be finding a way to get the trio in the same lineup. Can Holmes play small forward, where he may be too slow to defend? Will the Horns resort to playing more zone? Or will Barnes just have to play only two at a time? Connecticut's Kevin Ollie: Avoiding title hangover There's a reason why no team has come close to winning consecutive titles since Florida in 2006-07. Ollie will have championship-caliber personnel led by senior guard Ryan Boatright, but can he keep them hungry enough to pursue it? Ohio State's Thad Matta: Identifying scorers The Buckeyes' 69.5 points per game last season marked their worst offensive production since 2008-09. And their top three scorers from last season's team (LaQuinton Ross, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Aaron Craft) are gone. Their quest to find scoring might begin with freshman D'Angelo Russell. SMU's Larry Brown: Helping Moore The Mustangs aren't the same team when point guard Nic Moore isn't on the floor. Top recruit Emmanuel Mudiay was supposed to fix that, but his decision to play professionally overseas could leave the Mustangs in the same spot as last season.
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