I think we can all agree that the sky is the limit for Ross. I loved him last season, but as others have stated, the Roster was stacked last year. Sometimes it's good for these kids to spend some time on the bench and see how to conduct themselves. High School to College is a big change for these guys and to think that they can step foot on campus and have it all figured out is unrealistic. I think letting these young men, develop and to figure it out is a good thing. Everyone can't be Steph Castle. He was kind of a freak of nature.
In addition to some of your points, Jayden was just not physically ready last season and Hurley had to use the minutes available to develop the players that gave the team the best chance of winning. Of the other underclassman (Castle, Stewart and Ball) they were physically more ready and a better fit for what was needed.
We have a similar situation this season except Ross is stronger. His game more advanced. He's now more capable of defending, though needs to learn and reduce some of the the mistakes he made. There were at least a couple of mental lapses such as in that out-of-bounds play that resulted in an easy layup, that he needs to clean up. I can live with an occasional missed passing lane steal attempt if he gets the majority of them and not attempted during critical possessions where safer lockdown D is dictated.
JR does some unique things that few 6-7 plus players on the team can do which is drive gaps and get to the rim, step back midrange or stop and take the three. Karaban can do those things at a higher success level and McNeeley as well at a not so success level though gets to the line a lot. Jayden just looks more dynamic taking it to the paint, though let's see if he can execute these things against stronger and more athletic competition.
The players who are in a similar situation that Jayden was last season are Nowell and Abraham, and Singare to some degree. All seem very capable, but like last season Hurley needs to give sufficient minutes to develop the players, and team chemistry, that gives the team the best chance of winning. There will probably be some games as the season goes where they will get some rotation minutes to aid in their development if they show they can contribute and if any injuries or foul trouble present opportunities.
This pre-BE portion of the season is to develop the primary rotation players in prep for the rest of the season. As those players continue to improve and execute at a high level on both ends of the floor, Hurley might find some run for some of those 3. There's always the chance that they show Hurley that they are outplaying someone in the current rotation, though my guess is they will need to wait their turn like Ross had to do last season.
