Hawaii's Zane Johnson is the top returning scorer at 15.9 points per game, just ahead of Deonte (Nevada) Burton's 15.8.
The senior Johnson's point totals will go up to some degree this go-around but so will the shot attempts of his returning teammates Vander Joaquim and Joston Thomas. Plus, newcomer Hauns Brereton's shots will at least match those of the departed Bill Amis and there is also Shaq Stokes at the point, who will fire up more attempts than last year's Rainbow Warrior point collective.
It's going to be an interesting time in Hawaii, a team with a very good shot at the top conference rung if the mercurial Thomas accepts and fulfills his role
Burton, a sophomore, is also surrounded by returnees.
Junior Malik Story should add to his 13.7 points per game but it need to come because of more makes than last season and not a greater number of attempts. He must improve on his 36% and 30% accuracy overall and from long distance respectively if he is to again take the highest number of shots.
Senior Dario Hunt's points per game will go up but probably not to any dramatic degree.
However, Olek Czyz is another story as he possesses the best potential on the team for upping his scoring production. He took only 139 shots in league play -- just above Hunt -- and reaching 200 should be a goal. Let's see if he has generated more ability to create on the court.
New Mexico State returning redshirt Wendell McKines certainly is a candidate, especially if display more dribble-drive proclivity.
Also, do watch for Idaho's Kyle Barone. PTW has no idea if Barone has added needed strength and weight in the off-season but, if so, he'll be a darkhorse contender.
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I will admit to being a USU homer, but no mention of Brockeith?
My money is on McKines. With Fat Gilly gone, several bigs who don't demand the ball every time down the court, and guards who aren't necessarily shoot-first, the scoring title is McKines' to lose imho. I think the Nevada boys will be spreading it out too much, but I like your dark horse pick of Barone too. What about somebody like Jardine from USU? That probably depends on how many shots his teammates surrounding him miss. The more they miss, the more he'll score when he cleans up the glass.
I like Wendell McKines, he can be explosive and he also is someone who can put in 40 on a given night and you would never even know it.
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