Come March, the Hoosiers compete in the NCAA Tournament. It's become one of college basketball's givens, and Indiana's status as a tourney fixture has remained unchanged for nearly two decades.

But the Hoosiers' brief stint on the bubble a year ago has spurred whispers and doubts. Questions abound regarding an unproven frontcourt and the team's search for leadership on a roster heavily stocked with underclassmen.

That's enough to leave many wondering if this is the year Indiana's streak will come to an end.

The issues of talent and experience, however, appear lost on coach Mike Davis, and he thinks he has the leadership Indiana lacked last season. As far as Davis is concerned, only one thing stands between Indiana and another successful season.

"Chemistry. Just team chemistry," Davis said. "Just putting team first, taking pride in wearing the Indiana uniform."

FRONTCOURT

Outside of senior center George Leach, roles are up for grabs, and Davis believes success is tied to players embracing roles. "Successful teams have guys who accept their roles and put the team first," Davis said. "That's what we have to do."

For Leach, that means being the Big Ten's preeminent shot-blocker isn't enough. He's the leader up front now, and working harder and playing smarter comes with the territory. He must get stronger on the boards, generate easy baskets inside and block shots while avoiding the unnecessary fouls that have led to a rash of early exits.

Sean Kline and Mike Roberts will duel for the right to open the season next to Leach. Kline's aggressiveness makes him a viable option, but, like Leach, he must avoid picking up early fouls. Roberts works relentlessly, and that helps offset what he lacks athletically.

Davis has seen what the Hoosiers need inside from Leach, Kline and Roberts, but only sporadically. Now Davis wants to see them develop their snapshots of success into an understanding of the big picture. "They need to focus on winning first," Davis said. "We have a group of guys who can be good, but they have to play with more consistency."

Beyond his three returning players, Davis will rely on a pair of true freshmen. Pat Ewing Jr. and Jessan Gray-Ashley don't arrive with much fanfare, but they've impressed Davis enough to make lineups with three big men a legitimate possibility.

BACKCOURT

Davis and pundits may be at odds over Indiana's deficiencies, but they can agree that the Hoosiers' hopes rely heavily on the sophomore backcourt of Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland.

"We think with both guys going through everything last year -- the good and the bad -- they should be ready to play," Davis said. "I think they have a chance to be a really good backcourt."

Wright figures to shoulder much of the offensive load. The only opponent that proved capable of slowing him down was a back ailment. The injury kept Wright from unleashing his lethal inside-outside attack, but successful offseason surgery might make him the Big Ten's best two-guard.

High expectations also follow Strickland with his ascent to starting point guard. He split duty with Tom Coverdale last year, affording him time to learn the offense. Davis expects a "stronger, quicker and faster" Strickland to be running the show.

A.J. Moye rounds out the Hoosiers' three-guard alignment. A versatile sixth man most of his career, Moye's a natural fire-starter and knows how to rally the troops. He'll open the season in the backcourt, but sooner or later, Davis will call on his strength and toughness to help up front.

Off the bench, Donald Perry offers Davis a rare luxury -- a seasoned reserve point guard. His minutes will increase dramatically now that the backcourt herd has thinned out.

The lone backcourt debut has been a year in the making. High-flying wing Roderick Wilmont wowed onlookers in practice during his redshirt season. Now Indiana needs him to replicate those performances in game situations.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Davis infused the Indiana roster with athleticism, and he's convinced the time has come to cut it loose. The Hoosiers guards will lead the charge, pushing the pace and extending the defense, but they can't do it alone.

Opponents will try to smother the backcourt unless Leach and the frontline can provide some semblance of balance. That's where Davis' talk of chemistry and a team-first attitude must prevail.

Wright gives Indiana sufficient firepower and possesses the ability to take over games. With the help of his teammates, the Hoosiers can produce results on par with expectations.

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