I'd say Q has earned a starting spot at this point. Anything can change, but right now it's looking like a pretty tight 6/7 player rotation with Zoe, Zam, Q, Pierre and Tilda as the starters and Quigley and either Maddie Cox and/or Lorena Awou off the bench. Maybe one of the freshmen can carve out a small role off the bench as a back up guard, we'll see.
Q's biggest ...well only competition, is Devyn Quigley. Quigley is a Sophomore, she played sparingly last year and showed a knack for scoring and shooting the ball and being in the right place and the right time. If Quigley was another 2 inches taller she'd be a fantastic option as a Madison Hayes replacement - where Samuels seems to have a leg up on Quigley is with her length and bounce. What State needs from the 3 is shooting, defense and rebounding. With Zoe and Zam the 3 is not going to be asked to handle the ball or play make for anyone. The offense will run through the 2 guards and Pierre. Tilda and whoever is at the 3 will be complimentary pieces. They need to keep the defense honest, space the floor, knock down open shots and score efficiently within the offense. They also need to be counted on for defense. Zoe and Zam haven't shown themselves to be lock down defenders and with their importance on offense, ideally Samuels would be able to lock up lead guards or wings on other teams.
In a limited sample Samuels is shooting the ball well and rebounding very well. That rebounding factor is a separating factor right now between her and Quigley. I can also totally see them 2 playing together as Quigley can play the 2 and let Samuels stay at the 3 OR Samuels can shift down and go small and play the stretch 4 if she's going to rebound at this level. Yesterday when Pierre fouled out that is exactly what Wes did and Quigley responded well. She ripped down 10 of her 11 rebounds in the second half.
She's definitely in line for big minutes this year in Raleigh. I hope the concerns you guys have about consistency prove to be a thing of the past!