Donovan and Samson together

[JT-55]

What about when Samson comes in for Karaban? Or won't he be the backup 4 also?

The backup 4 spot is a super interesting position. I think Samson primarily will get 15 minutes as the backup center and maybe steals a few at the 4 but that still leaves some time leftover. Who is getting those minutes? Ross?

 

[navery12]

The backup 4 spot is a super interesting position. I think Samson primarily will get 15 minutes as the backup center and maybe steals a few at the 4 but that still leaves some time leftover. Who is getting those minutes? Ross?

Jaylin Stewart

 

[superjohn]

It's all situational really. If we were facing a Nunge/Kalkbrenner combo like last year, it would be a good lineup for us to counter that. I don't expect it to be a regular thing because Alex is going to play a lot of minutes.

I just don't see the point of it with the roster we have. It would weaken us offensively by talking one of our handler/passer/shooters off the floor and it's not necessary defensively. I think Samson will have some trouble guarding on the perimeter and we don't need him in the paint with Clingan in there. His value is being Clingan's backup this season which is a huge role. It's the role Clingan had last season and a major reason we won it all.

 

[dennismenace]

Wimps.

PG: Castle
SG:Karaban
SF:Johnson
PF: Singare
C: Clingan

Very very scary

 

[JT-55]

Jaylin Stewart

That would make sense at 6'7 205. All reports say he is alittle behind at this point but hopefully by Christmas he has carved out that spot for himself.

 

[superjohn]

Jaylin Stewart

People are sleeping on this kid. He's behind schedule because of the Seattle schools and being a little banged up but he's seriously talented.

 

[businesslawyer]

Lol at this. We opened last season with Adama and Samson starting at the 5 and 4. If Johnson is the primary backup at both the 4 and 5, no one should be surprised. And while we have no clue if he will be good, based on his potential coming in and that he won the starting job before last season, I won’t be surprised if he is really good either

 

[ucp990411]

I just don't see the point of it with the roster we have. It would weaken us offensively by talking one of our handler/passer/shooters off the floor and it's not necessary defensively. I think Samson will have some trouble guarding on the perimeter and we don't need him in the paint with Clingan in there. His value is being Clingan's backup this season which is a huge role. It's the role Clingan had last season and a major reason we won it all.

How about our opponents having difficulty guarding a lineup with DC at the high post and SJ in the low block. Not too many college 4’s would defend that very well

 

[UCfor3]

We went away from the 2 bigs finally last year and we spaced the floor with shooters and a stretch 4 with a more versatile skillset. We then proceeded to win the whole enchilada. It was a welcome change that I and many had wanted. The proof is in the results and I would prefer to stick with the more modern, versatile offense unless there was a game where it made sense defensively to do otherwise to counter a specific team with a huge frontline.

 

[TheHorde]

Just everything Samson has done on the court in his 2 years here and the fact that Stewart's offense is his biggest strength. I actually don't think it's even debatable. The argument for playing them would be on the defensive end

I’m bullish on Stewart, but had more of a general question. Do we think he’s better suited to the 4 than the 3? Is he long enough and tall enough to guard 4s? I love what I’ve seen of his offensive game btw.

 

[navery12]

I’m bullish on Stewart, but had more of a general question. Do we think he’s better suited to the 4 than the 3? Is he long enough and tall enough to guard 4s? I love what I’ve seen of his offensive game btw.

I'd defer to people who have seen him in person at the open practices, but I was thinking he was a bit like Karaban in that he's probably not quick enough to guard 3's. Not sure if that's still the case since I know he cut weight since getting on campus

 

[superjohn]

How about our opponents having difficulty guarding a lineup with DC at the high post and SJ in the low block. Not too many college 4’s would defend that very well

If we were going to see that I think we would've seen it last year. This team should be an even better three point shooting team than last year and Samson doesn't have any of the finishing arsenal Sanogo had. I would rather Castle, Newton, and Spencer throwing lobs to Clingan and Johnson than Clingan throwing lobs to Johnson.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I just don't see the point of it with the roster we have. It would weaken us offensively by talking one of our handler/passer/shooters off the floor and it's not necessary defensively. I think Samson will have some trouble guarding on the perimeter and we don't need him in the paint with Clingan in there. His value is being Clingan's backup this season which is a huge role. It's the role Clingan had last season and a major reason we won it all.

I think I probably have a different view on what he can contribute offensively than you do. I expect him to be taking and making 3s and driving to the hoop.

 

[superjohn]

I think I probably have a different view on what he can contribute offensively than you do. I expect him to be taking and making 3s and driving to the hoop.

We do, I would love that but I just don't envision it. I think he'll take the occasional three, I expect that from Donovan too but I don't think we'll be seeing many drives to the hoop from him. I expect his offense will be almost exclusively alley oops and put backs.

 

[CL82]

"I think he has greater potential to play with Donovan than we had with Adama and Donovan, because of the movement and athleticism."

 

[ddent68]

It all remains to be seen. I don’t think we will see it often or for many minutes. I think it would be situational but could be very effective. It’s hard to imagine Samson on the perimeter draining threes and we do have more shooters than last year. I can’t wait to get this season started.

 

[KingAG]

People are sleeping on this kid. He's behind schedule because of the Seattle schools and being a little banged up but he's seriously talented.

Nope I’m already the self proclaimed president of the Jaylin Stewart hive haha.

But in all seriousness I agree. He’s going to absolutely surprise a lot of people.

 

[husky429]

Stewart, Ross, Castle and Johnson could all potentially get minutes behind Karaban at the 4. It won't be many no matter what. Probably matchup dependent.

 

[JohnnyJr]

Didn’t Karaban play like 32-34 minutes a game last year? I’m pretty sure he had the most minutes

 

[Tenspro2002]

It’s not a double big debate at all. Johnson was expected to play the 4. Hurley called out why it’s different, Samson can play outside.

I agree with this.

Johnson is a 4 who is going to get minutes at the 5 out of necessity.

Sanogo (undersized as he was) was a college 5 who, while he could hit an outside shot, wasn't really comfortable spacing the floor.

 

[Mr. French]

People are debating and saying what Hurley likes, quoted in an article, won’t happen?

SJ is a 4 who can and will also play backup 5. It seems obvious that Hurley’s plan is to play him both.

I think we’re all anxious to see how he plays but Hurley clearly has the confidence and intention to play him this way.

 

[superjohn]

People are debating and saying what Hurley likes, quoted in an article, won’t happen?

SJ is a 4 who can and will also play backup 5. It seems obvious that Hurley’s plan is to play him both.

I think we’re all anxious to see how he plays but Hurley clearly has the confidence and intention to play him this way.

I think people just take what coaches say in the preseason with a little grain of salt. It's like how Calhoun told us every year we were going to get out and run and then we didn't run for like a decade straight. Clingan will also need a fairly dynamic backup to keep him rested and provide a little of that two headed monster we saw last season at center. I think people are skeptical about Singare being ready yet.

 

[Mr. French]

I think people just take what coaches say in the preseason with a little grain of salt. It's like how Calhoun told us every year we were going to get out and run and then we didn't run for like a decade straight. Clingan will also need a fairly dynamic backup to keep him rested and provide a little of that two headed monster we saw last season at center. I think people are skeptical about Singare being ready yet.

I definitely get that…but I’d say his words tell you Hurley thinks he has the ability to succeed there, I don’t know how you argue that.

Whether it fully is implemented is different than him having the capability or skill set to make it successful.

Either way I’m excited. I’m always envisioning a longer and more athletic DeAndre Daniels with this kid.

I think Hurley sees that potential, it’s not smoke it just hasn’t happened yet.

 

[husky429]

People are debating and saying what Hurley likes, quoted in an article, won’t happen?

SJ is a 4 who can and will also play backup 5. It seems obvious that Hurley’s plan is to play him both.

I think we’re all anxious to see how he plays but Hurley clearly has the confidence and intention to play him this way.

Seems pretty reasonable. We can't really have Ross/Stewart back up if we have a Freemantle-type at the opposing 4. We'll need to rely on Johnson for those matchups when Karaban sits.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I definitely get that…but I’d say his words tell you Hurley thinks he has the ability to succeed there, I don’t know how you argue that.

Whether it fully is implemented is different than him having the capability or skill set to make it successful.

Either way I’m excited. I’m always envisioning a longer and more athletic DeAndre Daniels with this kid.

I think Hurley sees that potential, it’s not smoke it just hasn’t happened yet.

Agree. Samson is not a back to the basket player. He plays facing. He was pressed into duty at the 5 as a freshman when Adama got hurt. Didn't play much at 4 when we had Akok and used Polley for shooting. Last year missed the year injured, but all his projected minutes were at PF.

His main role is backup 5, providing a different, quicker, more athletic look spelling DC. But Karaban didn't get enough of a break last season and he can fit there as well.

 

[navery12]

People are debating and saying what Hurley likes, quoted in an article, won’t happen?

SJ is a 4 who can and will also play backup 5. It seems obvious that Hurley’s plan is to play him both.

I think we’re all anxious to see how he plays but Hurley clearly has the confidence and intention to play him this way.

He might have been a 4 when he got on campus, but I just don't see it at this point outside of very situational times. Unless something has drastically changed and he's developed any semblance of a perimeter game it's going to be very tough to see it happen.

And I don't really put any stock into Hurley saying it could happen, because he said the same thing last year with Sanogo and Clingan and it barely ever happened

 

[August_West]

Agree. Samson is not a back to the basket player. He plays facing. He was pressed into duty at the 5 as a freshman when Adama got hurt. Didn't play much at 4 when we had Akok and used Polley for shooting. Last year missed the year injured, but all his projected minutes were at PF.

His main role is backup 5, providing a different, quicker, more athletic look spelling DC. But Karaban didn't get enough of a break last season and he can fit there as well.

Sanogo only became devastating when he started facing up rather than playing back to basket.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Sanogo only became devastating when he started facing up rather than playing back to basket.

I mean, he was really good before. It did stop the double teams and unclog the lane, especially when he hit 3s. It allowed him to pass the ball. Definitely helped our offense and he had to find points in the flow instead of being fed the ball. Plus, it was fun when he did put it on the floor, because who really wants to take that charge?

Love the move at 1:20 of this

 

[Conndog]

But Sanogo’s footwork when he had the ball down low is what was devastating for opponents, especially when he started passing out of double teams. I hope Clingan is able to learn how to move down low effectively too- with his size, if he can pivot like Sanogo, who could stop him? Clingan showed how fast he can move his feet too- all the times he would sprint down the court on fast breaks- it’s going to be a great year again

 

[Dezoworld]

Just everything Samson has done on the court in his 2 years here and the fact that Stewart's offense is his biggest strength. I actually don't think it's even debatable. The argument for playing them would be on the defensive end

What 2 years have you been watching. Samson was hurt majority of last year and was a freshman the year befor. Offensively he been tearing it up when they went overseas