Thought from the start that the various services were under-appreciating Gaines.
The practice reports and the exhibition game seems to indicate that Gaines is on track to be a contributor (as well as Lindsey saying that Gaines is making him work).
Don't want to put too much expectations on a frosh, but think Gaines can contribute as much as a frosh Crawford (but maybe won't see quite as muc playing time as this is a deeper team).
Gaines could fill the Sanjay role, and maybe more, this season.
Not quite on the defensive end as Gaines doesn't have the size (much less acumen) to defend, 4's, much less 5's.
But Gaines can certainly be that 3rd wing defender (with Lindsey moving to the 3 and Law to the 4).
Lumpkin was the
swiss-army pocket knife on defense; replacing him with 1 player will be difficult, but the combo of an improved Pardon and Gaines (or maybe Ash) should come close.
Speaking of Pardon, he kinds crimped Lumpkin's game by taking up the space around the basket.
Lumpkin had his best games as a scorer and rebounder last season during the time Pardon was out (Lumpkin had the advantage in speed going up against the centers, where he would blow by them on the way to the basket).
