We always want to look at the good and bad of where we stand. This is probably the halfway point of the season assuming some type of post season tournament play. Without question Sandro and Rhoden have carried the team with significant role play from Cale and Shavar. Ike is up and down and you have to take what he gives you. So these 5 have been solid.
Taking Samuel out of the equation for a moment the main issue has been the guys added to the roster this season. Aiken's two injuries have upset the apple cart and have affected the topline number. Molson and Aiken are 9-46(.19) from three. Mix in Samuel and they are a combined 18-72 from three(.25). That's really terrible. Lots of misses and empty possessions. No fire power off the bench. Samuel has produced four games where he scored 10 points. Some improvement, but he is a 4 star recruit. He's better this season not a difference maker yet.
Next we look at Long and Stevens as our top recruits for this class. We have to be fair because there is no real playing time available and Kevin tends to bring guys along slower than most coaches. Having said that they have a combined 88 minutes of playing time in 15 games. Long(74) and Stevens(14). They have produced 18 points in 15 games. Long(14) and Stevens(4). Covid interruptions explain part of it but these two are clearly way behind first year players from the other conference teams. Jackson was not supposed to play this season and even with the rule change can't get on the court. I believe him to be 4 star also, but I could be wrong. So there you go as to why we are a top 40-50 team instead of a top 25-30 team or better. The season is not over, but the strain on the starting players from game to game can be measured. Bottom line is we need more points from the non starters going forward.
Taking Samuel out of the equation for a moment the main issue has been the guys added to the roster this season. Aiken's two injuries have upset the apple cart and have affected the topline number. Molson and Aiken are 9-46(.19) from three. Mix in Samuel and they are a combined 18-72 from three(.25). That's really terrible. Lots of misses and empty possessions. No fire power off the bench. Samuel has produced four games where he scored 10 points. Some improvement, but he is a 4 star recruit. He's better this season not a difference maker yet.
Next we look at Long and Stevens as our top recruits for this class. We have to be fair because there is no real playing time available and Kevin tends to bring guys along slower than most coaches. Having said that they have a combined 88 minutes of playing time in 15 games. Long(74) and Stevens(14). They have produced 18 points in 15 games. Long(14) and Stevens(4). Covid interruptions explain part of it but these two are clearly way behind first year players from the other conference teams. Jackson was not supposed to play this season and even with the rule change can't get on the court. I believe him to be 4 star also, but I could be wrong. So there you go as to why we are a top 40-50 team instead of a top 25-30 team or better. The season is not over, but the strain on the starting players from game to game can be measured. Bottom line is we need more points from the non starters going forward.
