Realizing what a special superstar hes become in the pros, its amazing to look back at?Kawhi Leonards numbers from San Diego State. The Spurs star shot just 25 percent from 3-point range while competing in the Mountain West Conference, yet was fourth in the NBA last season at 44.3 percent from beyond the arc.However, the key reason we love Leonard as a fantasy basketball asset isnt his awesome improvement in shooting touch, but rather his amazing statistical diversity, namely his defensive exploits. Leonard is currently averaging an astounding (albeit unsustainable) five steals during his first two games.Having led the league in steals per game in 2014-15, Leonards current perch atop the league in larceny appears legitimate. Its also very possible his reign over the Player Rater could be sustainable if this seasons surge in offensive volume continues. Its easy to forget that Leonard just turned 25 this past June and enjoyed a massive 28.4 percent leap in scoring from 2014-15 to last season. Leonard is again enjoying a steep ascent on offense both in terms of shot volume and, more significantly, from the free throw line.As I wrote this past June, The playoffs confirmed for me that Leonard is a surefire top-five fantasy selection for 2016-17 drafts. In fact, Leonard ended up going seventh, on average, in ESPN drafts this fall. My lofty opinion of Leonard was due to his increasing offensive workload and his teams reliance on him -- and not LaMarcus Aldridge?--?as its chief creator in the postseason.With Tim Duncan retired and significant mileage on Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, this is undoubtedly Leonards team. For those that landed Leonard late in the first round, you just might have netted a dark horse candidate for the top overall fantasy asset this season.After perusing the upcoming week of the NBA schedule below, be sure to check out our trendspotting notes, as we delve into a number of rising players and intriguing trends.Access the downloadable forecaster chart PDF hereMatchup ratings are based on a scale from 1 (poor matchup) to 10 (excellent matchup). These are calculated using a formula that evaluates the teams year-to-date and past 10 games statistics, their opponents numbers in those categories and their performance in home/road games depending on where the game is to be played. The column to the left lists the teams total number of games scheduled, as well as home games, and lists the overall rating from 1-10 for that teams weekly schedule.Ratings roundupFor those playing in weekly head-to-head leagues, maximizing games played can prove paramount to almost all other factors. Even if your opponent hoards greater overall talent, you can surpass them statistically if you can guarantee more games in your weekly profile. When it comes to streaming players, then, we should look to identify teams with busy schedules.The Sacramento Kings, for example, lead the NBA with five games this week. Its rare to find a five-game stretch in a given slate, so this makes shares of guys like Ty Lawson, averaging more than 35 minutes as the substitute starter at point guard, and even Matt Barnes?and his 27 minutes per game somewhat attractive as rentals for the week ahead.The Atlanta Hawks enjoy a strong rating this week thanks to three home games out of four contests in total. They have inviting meetings with the likes of the fast-paced Lakers, Kings and Rockets. The?Cleveland Cavaliers play just three games this week, but its nice to see that they only play up-tempo opponents. That could extract increased exposure and output from LeBron James and his fellow stars.As for some of the weaker profiles this week, the Brooklyn Nets face a series of capable defensive teams prone to slowing the pace. The Charlotte Hornets play just two games this coming week, making them an avoidable source for streaming given such a limited slate. Similarly, the Miami Heat are limited to two games with one coming against the down-tempo, defensive-minded Raptors.Surging in CharlotteMichael Kidd-Gilchrist could serve as an awesome approximation of Leonard if you missed out on him in drafts. While he doesnt possess Leonards shooting touch, its nice to see such rich rebound and steal potential from the versatile forward after he played in just seven games last season. A gifted rebounder for his position, MKG enjoyed a league-high 30 rebounding chances in the season opener, which are defined as being within 3.5 feet of an available board.With nearly 35 minutes played in the first game and available in half of ESPN leagues as of press time, Kidd-Gilchrist is a strong early waiver warrior to consider for your player portfolio. With real defensive prowess and upside in steals and even blocks, this forgotten forward could prove to be quite valuable this season.Myles aheadOne fear for the Pacers Myles Turner was a potential lack of minutes on an increasingly deep roster. Yet, with 37 minutes played and 19 field goal attempts in Indianas first game, its clear hes a priority player on the new-look roster.Tabbed as a breakout candidate for this season, Turner led the NBA playoffs last summer with 3.3 blocks per game and a Whiteside-like block rate of 9.8 percent. Turners per-36 rates of 16.3 points, 8.7 boards and 2.3 blocks from his rookie campaign suggest increased minutes could propel fantasy stardom for the second-year big man.Croatian impactIll be writing a waiver wire column which debuts on Sunday but, as a preview, heres a widely available asset to admire early this season. Its?Dario Saric?of the 76ers, who could provide helpful numbers as a key rotation cog. The rookie enjoyed 20 rebounding chances in his debut thanks to his playing nearly 28 minutes.We saw his knack for playmaking emerge for Croatia in the Olympics this past August, and he might have the steadiest minutes profile of Philadelphias collection of big men. Even though he struggled from the field, there is upside found in his exposure rates (12 shots and the strong minutes). Saric is a name to watch in the early weeks of the season. Custom NHL Jerseys . 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"Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name. Guard play wins in March by consistently passing tests all season.No. 17 Saint Marys and Dayton are driven by dynamic guards setting the table, which could make for a riveting Saturday afternoon (2 p.m. ET) meeting with two of the nations leading mid-major programs match up at UD Arena.Its a hostile venue few volunteer to visit because of the frenetic pace and style of play encountered, as coach Archie Miller pointed out recently.We had a lot of things fall through that prevented us from really moving faster, Miller said of the scheduling oddity that brought the reigning West Coast Conference champion to Ohio. The thing we wanted to do the best was secure a series this year starting at home with a bona-fide NCAA tournament team. We were able to get that later than we wanted.Dayton returns the favor next season with a visit to the 3,500-seat home of the Gaels.For the Flyers, who are knocking on the door in the AP poll, the game could be meaningful, but Millers rotation is down two key players from an athletic frontcourt. That trusts even more of the burden on battle-tested backcourt mates Scoochie Smith and Charles Cooke.Flyers forwards Josh Cunningham and Kendall Pollard are sidelined indefinitely and Miller has used sophomore forward Sam Miller and junior guard Darrell Davis for increased minutes to stretch his rotation.The Gaels are fighting for the type of consistent national prominence Archie Miller and the Flyers -- whose senior class stands 17 wins shy of the school record for victories by one class -- have achieved. Randy Bennett, the all-time wins leader at Saint Marys College, has driven thhe program to consistent success even as Gonzaga lords over the West Coast Conference.ddddddddddddThe 2016-17 program is chasing an NCAA Tournament appearance after missing the field despite 29 wins last season. The engine at both ends of the court is point guard Emmett Naar. He controls the offense and dominates the ball for a club averaging only 6.0 turnovers per game. Saint Marys relies on balanced scoring and perimeter shooting. Keeping the tempo in their favor wont be easy against Daytons in-your-shirt pressing defense.Naar believes the difference in this years team is depth. Even in scoring 110 points to get to 2-0 on Wednesday night in pounding Prairie View A&M, Naar was focused on balance.I dont think anyone scored 20, which is pretty good, Naar added. Having a deep bench like that is amazing. For the other team its more guys to worry about, more guys to scout. It just adds a lot to our team.The only previous meeting between these teams was a Dayton win in 1957. But Bennett brought his 2013 team to this venue for the 2013 tournament play-in game.All youve got to do is look them up. Theyve had great success. (Bennett) does a great job. They return just about everybody from a team a year ago that won the regular-season WCC, said Archie Miller.Up next for SMC are games against San Jose State and UAB before the Nov. 30 visit to Pac-12 neighbor Stanford.Dayton plays Nebraska at 8:30 p.m. Thanksgiving night in the first round Wooden Legacy tournament in Anaheim, Calif. ' ' '