I've stated several times that my expectations are very low, but I have a suspicion that we will at least see this team improve during the season, which we never saw under Darrin Horn. If the guys can achieve the numbers I suggest here, we will at least be competitive, and will stumble into a few wins.
Lakeem Jackson - the bottom line is that Lakeem has to hit foul shots. If he can even hit 60-65% from the line, he'll easily score 8-10 PPG because he won't get hacked every time he takes it to the hole.
Bruce Ellington - because I don't see many finishers on the roster, Bruce needs to shoot more and pass less. If he can contribute 10+ PPG again with a decent number of assists, I'll be happy.
Richardson/Leonard - I grouped them together because they've never been hot at the same time. One will need to score for us to succeed. Both need to learn some defense. Between the two of them, they need to contribute 8+ PPG.
LaShay Page - I see him running the show most of the time before Bruce returns. He may not average double figures like he did last year but if he has a positive assist to turnover ratio and scores 8-10 PPG, he will have done his job.
Eric Smith - he simply needs to turn the ball over less (negative assist to TO ratio last season) and play solid defense - maybe 3-4 PPG but I don't see much more than that.
Brenton Williams - maybe 4-6 PPG and limit turnovers - he could be a force on the break after steals if the defense improves
RJ Slawson - RJ will be the difference in maybe 5 or more games in my opinion. He might score 6-8 PPG but if he doesn't get at least that many rebounds, we're in big trouble.
Chatkevicius - He needs to play good defense and not foul out. Scoring anything is optional, 2-4 PPG would be great.
Kacinas - If he can score 3-4 PPG I'd be thrilled.
Carrera - needs to average more RPG than points. If he can get 6+ rebounds a game, we might not be in as much trouble inside as I fear.
All in all, the PPG I listed works out to around 65 a game, and I'm not sure that's even possible with this group. Last year we averaged 61 PPG I think. Maybe with better defense, we can get a few more easy shots, but without rebounding, I'm not sure we'll get many stick-backs.
Lakeem Jackson - the bottom line is that Lakeem has to hit foul shots. If he can even hit 60-65% from the line, he'll easily score 8-10 PPG because he won't get hacked every time he takes it to the hole.
Bruce Ellington - because I don't see many finishers on the roster, Bruce needs to shoot more and pass less. If he can contribute 10+ PPG again with a decent number of assists, I'll be happy.
Richardson/Leonard - I grouped them together because they've never been hot at the same time. One will need to score for us to succeed. Both need to learn some defense. Between the two of them, they need to contribute 8+ PPG.
LaShay Page - I see him running the show most of the time before Bruce returns. He may not average double figures like he did last year but if he has a positive assist to turnover ratio and scores 8-10 PPG, he will have done his job.
Eric Smith - he simply needs to turn the ball over less (negative assist to TO ratio last season) and play solid defense - maybe 3-4 PPG but I don't see much more than that.
Brenton Williams - maybe 4-6 PPG and limit turnovers - he could be a force on the break after steals if the defense improves
RJ Slawson - RJ will be the difference in maybe 5 or more games in my opinion. He might score 6-8 PPG but if he doesn't get at least that many rebounds, we're in big trouble.
Chatkevicius - He needs to play good defense and not foul out. Scoring anything is optional, 2-4 PPG would be great.
Kacinas - If he can score 3-4 PPG I'd be thrilled.
Carrera - needs to average more RPG than points. If he can get 6+ rebounds a game, we might not be in as much trouble inside as I fear.
All in all, the PPG I listed works out to around 65 a game, and I'm not sure that's even possible with this group. Last year we averaged 61 PPG I think. Maybe with better defense, we can get a few more easy shots, but without rebounding, I'm not sure we'll get many stick-backs.