Based on our first game, I went through my predictions from earlier in the week. Long story short, I don't see too many surprises.
1. Brimah will ave more points per game this year than Facey.
Original opinion: True. I don't think it will be more than 3 PPG, but I see Brimah getting significantly more minutes than Facey.
Revised opinion: True. Not really any revision. Facey didn't even get off the bench tonight. Brimah looked like he could pick up some garbage/transition points.
2. Kromah will play more minutes per game this year than Samuels.
Original opinion: True. Kromah has shown something in the exhibitions, and gives us another option at the 2/3 if OC or Giff is struggling and Boat or Bazz needs a breather. He'll get 12-15 mpg. We have two solid PGs ahead of Samuel, and he'll end up with maybe 6-8 mpg.
Revised opinion: True. Not really any revision. For what it's worth, Kromah ended up with 15 minutes tonight, Samuel with 7, about what I expected.
3. Daniels will lead the team in scoring average this year.
Original opinion: False. Our offense has become reliant on our PGs creating for themselves more than creating for others. I think Bazz leads the team in scoring once again, around 18 ppg. Daniels will improve to around 15 ppg, but not really explode the way some expect.
Revised opinion: False. This game I think will be fairly representative of how our offense will look all season. Daniels just isn't the sort of wing who can create for himself and be the focal point of an offense. Bazz, as expected, was and will be our leading scorer.
4. UConn, who ranked 290th in rebounding last year will make a significant improvement.
Original opinion: True. Having to play Olander 20+ mpg at the 5 really hurt us in this department. Nolan, Brimah, Facey, and improved play from Daniels will have us somewhere in the middle of the pack, say 150th.
Revised opinion: True. Not much revision here. Already, we've outrebounded Maryland, a pretty beefy team. No single guy stood out, but our team rebounding principles were solid.
5. Olander starts the first AAC game of the year.
Original opinion: False. I don't think he even starts the first regular season game of the year, nevermind the first conference game. It will be Nolan.
Revised opinion: False. Not much revision here. He didn't even get off the bench until foul trouble beset Nolan and Brimah.
6. Phil Nolan has multiple double/doubles this season.
Original opinion: False. I don't see enough scoring from him and, frankly, not enough minutes. He's not going to be a 30-35 mpg stalwart, but rather a 20-25 mpg rotation player who happens to start. I expect maybe 6/6 from Nolan this year, with the occasional 12/7 or 5/10. I'd be surprised if he gets into double-figures in both categories more than once.
Revised opinion: False. Not much revision here. Took 2 shots tonight. That's about the kind of output we can expect from him. Maybe a little more, maybe the occasional 8 or 9 point game, but he won't score enough and won't get enough minutes.
7. Napier scores 30+ in six or more games this season.
Original opinion: False. Our offense is way too balanced to necessitate it. If he gets 30+, that means he's having to force everything himself and lead a late charge. We're a better all-around team than that. He'll have several games in the 20's, maybe even flirt with 30 in an especially high-scoring game or if he's on fire, but it won't be a regular occurrence.
Revised opinion: False. Not much revision here. Bazz only took 12 shots, but did rack up 7 assists. We're going to be the balanced team we were expected to be. Bazz is the undisputed leader, but doesn't have to do it all himself.