Call Me Insane, But...

[Stainmaster]

I didn't think Samuel was horrendous this game (aside from that one charge). 6 assists and 2 TOs against a P5 team show me that he can at the least be a solid backup on next year's team.

I recognize that half of this board wants to kick him off the team, but I don't think he deserves that. No he should never get as many minutes again as long as JA is on the team, but I didn't see him do anything egregiously bad.

 

[ctchamps]

I didn't think Samuel was horrendous this game (aside from that one charge). 6 assists and 2 TOs against a P5 team show me that he can at the least be a solid backup on next year's team.

I recognize that half of this board wants to kick him off the team, but I don't think he deserves that. No he should never get as many minutes again as long as JA is on the team, but I didn't see him do anything egregiously bad.

You're insane. Feel better.


TSam had a great game on offense. Where was it all season. But his defense still was not as good as we saw from him last season. Can't understand that.

 

[Drew]

agreed, i actually said the same thing to @UcGrkFrk during the game and he also thought samuel didn't play that badly at all. he's just got to find a way to knock down an outside shot even if its just from the elbow

 

[tzznandrew]

I didn't think Samuel was horrendous this game (aside from that one charge). 6 assists and 2 TOs against a P5 team show me that he can at the least be a solid backup on next year's team.

I recognize that half of this board wants to kick him off the team, but I don't think he deserves that. No he should never get as many minutes again as long as JA is on the team, but I didn't see him do anything egregiously bad.

Samuel played exactly like we thought he would coming into the season. I'm not sure what took so long.

He's never going to be a starting guard, but he can be somewhere closer to Austrie (not shooting!) than Beverly. And he showed it today.

 

[BFieldHusky]

I agree, but I still think we need another ball handler for next year.

 

[Kitaman]

Agree, TSam was not the problem. He also did make up some for Boat's absence with 10 points. He is what he is and makes more contributions than AB and Facey combined.

Its just that he's a very good relief pitcher, in baseball terms.

 

[Stainmaster]

I agree, but I still think we need another ball handler for next year.

I would feel much more comfortable with one as well, simply because he's going to be an up-and-down player and there needs to be someone to scoop up his minutes during down games.

But he's not a MAAC-level player. And those of you who have hard-ons at the thought of KO not renewing his scholarship are the worst kind of fans.

 

[UConnSwag11]

If he can 1.Get a consistent jump shot. 2. not dribble so hard and tight. 3. play better defense, not get lost, he'll be a very good back up

 

[ctchamps]

I agree, but I still think we need another ball handler for next year.

What year is Dan Guest? All kidding aside the kid gave good effort this evening and was inspirational at starting the comeback. But man the defense wasn't there this evening. DHam continuously lost his player or let him drive by. Same with all of them. That's where the team really missed Ryan. Hopefully they improve with moving their feet.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Samuel was fine today. He was much less than fine the rest of the year.

His spot needs to be upgraded.

 

[Walker11]

I would feel much more comfortable with one as well, simply because he's going to be an up-and-down player and there needs to be someone to scoop up his minutes during down games.

But he's not a MAAC-level player. And those of you who have hard-ons at the thought of KO not renewing his scholarship are the worst kind of fans.

He was a MAAC player for a lot of the year, and he is a MAAC talent for many rosters. But, he also can be a valuable player for national championship caliber teams. His game really depends on his situation - he can buckle down on D and is a good slasher/finisher but he really needs to be on the court with shooters. When he is with a lineup that can't shoot, and is facing a team that packs it in on D, he is basically useless on offense.

 

[RipCity]

I think you have to be pretty happy with what we saw tonight outside of Brimah. We have at least one, maybe two, impact freshman coming in and natural player development. I also seriously think people are sleeping on SCJ. I want Brown/Stone, but we have plenty of talent to work with even if we only end up with someone like Nych Smith from here on out. Just have to believe in KO's ability to develop his kids.

 

[SaeHusky]

Samuel needs to shoot 100 jump shots a day this summer - Defenses are giving it to him

 

[Greathusky]

Samuel was fine today. He was much less than fine the rest of the year.

His spot needs to be upgraded.

Sorry but a D-1 guard should be able to hit a jump shot. If he is going to be a defensive specialist, he needs to step up the defensive presence to make up for his offensive short comings..

 

[Rocktheworld]

Samuel needs to shoot 100 jump shots a day this summer - Defenses are giving it to him

You can shoot 100 jumpers in 10 minutes, taking your time. He needs to be putting in 1000 a day.

 

[jibsey]

Samuel needs to shoot 100 jump shots a day this summer - Defenses are giving it to him

100? Honestly he shouldn't even play scrimmage games this summer. A freshman coaching assistant basically shadows him all day at the gym retrieving his misses. He shoots until his arm turns to spaghetti.

 

[Dove]

He looked reborn

 

[UConn990411]

Samuel is perfect in the role he earned at the end of last season - as a 10-20 mpg guard off the bench, with most of those minutes coming in a three-guard lineup.

He's not a point guard, and he'll never be a decent shooter. But when he's surrounded by shooters and distributors, he's able to get to - and finish around - the rim at will. He also has the strength and height to defend most college wings, whereas he struggles at times staying in front of traditional perimeter players.

I think he should do fine next year backing up and playing alongside Adams-Purvis. And hopefully Cassell Jr. and/or a grad transfer will be able to complement what TSam brings to the table.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

But when he's surrounded by shooters and distributors, he's able to get to - and finish around - the rim at will.

People saw how easy it was for him to get to the bucket when Napier and Daniels were camped out at the three point line and, for some reason, assumed he'd have the same success when he was surrounded by the local bricklayers union.

 

[joober jones]

Guest is a senior, so he's gone.

 

[willyd24]

Nothing against Dan Guest but his defense was atrocious tonight. He lost his assignment 4 times and every time fouled him trying to recover and at least 2 of them wound up being 3 point plays. I can understand playing him because he's a senior and it was his last game but if that was the case than why not put Lenehan in too? The same thing happened in the Memphis game during Senior Night. Ollie put Guest in and he blew his assignment for two straight 3's and Lenehan didn't even see the floor that game.

 

[uconnfan68]

Samuel needs to shoot 100 jump shots a day this summer - Defenses are giving it to him

Make that 500.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Samuel is good at taking it to the hole, foul shooting and defense. Not a bad combination for a back up guard.

When you have to ask him to run the offense, that's where you'll have an issue. Or hitting a jump shot for that matter.

Hopefully Adams can step in day 1 or we're going to be in trouble.

 

[mcs333]

Samuel had a poor first half, both offense and defense. Second half he played much better.

 

[caw]

Nothing against Dan Guest but his defense was atrocious tonight. He lost his assignment 4 times and every time fouled him trying to recover and at least 2 of them wound up being 3 point plays. I can understand playing him because he's a senior and it was his last game but if that was the case than why not put Lenehan in too? The same thing happened in the Memphis game during Senior Night. Ollie put Guest in and he blew his assignment for two straight 3's and Lenehan didn't even see the floor that game.

Did you want Samuel playing 40 minutes?