re: The expectations for Ben were set too high.

Ben Simmons' stats and national rank in each:

PPG: 20.0 (28)
RPG: 12.9 (4)
APG: 5.1 (60)
SPG: 1.76 (74)
BPG: 1.12 (217)
FG%: 56.3% (47)

Maybe he falls short of being the best player in the country as a freshman, but those numbers are outstanding. To compare him just against other freshman:

PPG: 2nd
RPG: 1st
APG: 2nd
SPG: 7th
BPG: 37th
FG%: 4th

He's one big game away from leading all freshmen in points, rebounds, and assists, while putting up good steal and block numbers as well.


Only three players in the country rank higher in both PPG and APG this season, as well as a fourth ahead in APG and tied in PPG. Those players are Dallas Moore (North Florida, JR, 20 PPG, 5.7 APG), Devin Watson (San Francisco, SO, 20.3 PPG, 5.3 APG), Jack Gibbs (Davidson, JR, 25.7 PPG, 5.3 APG), and Kahlil Felder (Oakland, JR, 25.6 PPG, 8.7 APG). None of those players are close to Simmons on rebounding, and only Felder is ahead in steals. And those players are all from smaller schools with, presumably, weaker opponent quality.