Interesting reading all of the different perspectives. It's always fun to see what others are thinking. I'm looking at it this way..... We lost two players that were meaningful to the team in Schwartz and XJ. Hartwell, Frazier III, Gray, Buchanan, Gadsden, Kabimba, really didn't contribute anything to write home about. This is one of the reasons why we finished below .500 overall and in league play. How many times did we complain that our bench only produced two points? Far too many.
In Schwartz and XJ we are losing 23.2 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per contest, and 191 total assists. So far we have gained Singleton and Bailey who last year contributed a total of 7.2 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, and 51 total assists. On paper it's not a great sign. Granted they both had to deal with issues surrounding health, team dynamics, role on the team, how the coach used them, etc. In no way am I slamming them or saying that they won't be good. But, you are what your record/numbers say you are. Only time will tell whether these two will be dynamic, average, or busts. I sure hope they turn out to be studs. If not, we are royally screwed.
I am concerned about where we are currently at the point. If we have to rely on the position by committee again it will not bode well for us in my opinion. Look what it got us last year. Lot's of questions if we don't nab a Rudi Williams. Will Polite be healthy? If so, will the game slow down for him? Will he control his dribble and the offense? Will he become a reliable shooting/scoring threat? If so I look forward to seeing what kind of season he can put together. If not, I see us in the middle of the A10 at best. What can Dinkins provide as a true freshman? No way of knowing that answer yet. We can all speculate. But once again, time will tell all.
I think we all know what we have in Cooper and Gaines. But even there we have issues. Will Cooper lose the weight KE wants him to? As a result will he be quicker, a better defender, and able to get to the rim? I hope Gaines doesn't have to play one minute at the 4. His minutes need to drop next year so fatigue won't be an issue.
What will Fernandez bring? Is he truly a building block and foundational player?
As most here have said out other glaring weakness is at the 4 spot. Will Jones blossom in his second season? Will Henry find an offensive game? Will we land the big bruiser that KE has repeatedly said we need? So far, on the recruiting end, it's been all swings and misses. Is there time? Of course. Get it done KE. I can't take another year of middle of the pack bs.
