I'm a little different on both those points

Posted on: April 2, 2018 at 15:50:05 CT

Dealing with the culture first. Upper classman and returning players, a help pass that on after the Coach establishes it. Counzo laid down the culture this past season, which was the most difficult because everyone including members of the coaching staff were new to each other. With the number of returning players and the success they had last year culture won't be a problem. It will just get better.

This team should at least accomplish exactly what it did last season or more under the circumstances you described. If you focus on just losing the scoring from Robertson and Barnett it may seem that way. Cumulatively that scoring will come from other places. You will in high likelihood get increased scoring from Jontay, Tilmon, and Puryear who will all be low to mid teens. Then you'll have several other from 6-10. Similar to how it was in 2008-2009 season. The other thing will be better ball handling for less turnovers and more athleticism for better defense on the perimeter. The combination of those things should lend to maintenance instead of regression maybe even without Jontay. Not having him makes it harder but not necessarily unlikely.