Our bigs - a two headed monster

[JustbrewitMan]

Usual warnings about sample sizes, and getting lost in stats without considering "eye test"...and of course these are not direct comparisons of interchanging Samson w/ Tarris and keeping everything else in the lineup the same...

But here's stats & metrics vs. Top 100 teams from HoopExplorer. Includes the Maui Stinker games plus Baylor & Texas....the lineup breakdowns are at the bottom of the stats.

Samson on the court (excluded the double-big possessions vs. Baylor):

Tarris on the court (excluded the double-big possessions vs. Baylor):

Notables:

• The differential in NetRtg (Difference in Adjusted Pts per 100 possessions for Offense vs. Defense) is about 20pts higher for Samson lineups vs. Tarris lineups. Of course, some of this can be explained by different lineups as well, but overall team performance doesn't favor Tarris.
• The OR% (Offensive Rebound %) is 26.8% for Samson lineups, while the Defensive Rebound % is 59.5%. Both are below D1 average. Not a surprise given the eye test.
• Same stats for Tarris lineups improve for both OR% (33.7%) and DR is 75.8%

If you look at the Shot Charts:

• With Samson in, our offensive efficiency has been elite both from 3 and at the rim (all shades of green, above D1 averages). Our Rim protection on defense has also been well above D1 averages
• With Tarris in, the offense doesn't click as well yet. Though we do similar close to the rim. Our overall rim protection on D is significantly worse.

In case you were wondering, all of these data look substantially better for all lineups vs. Baylor & Texas. Let's hope it continues to trend in this direction on Saturday vs. the Zags!

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I’m not a Samson hater, I love his game, he’s exciting and works his tail off. He just needs to stay on the floor. Half his fouls are really avoidable, like reaching in on a rebound that has already been gobbled by the opponent, or bringing arms down on a guy who is 6 inches shorter than him. Just knock 1-2 of those out a game and he is so much better for us.

Agree 1,000,000%

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

Samson and Reeds fouls probably result in about 10 added free throws per game to opponent. Whether its by allowing them to shoot the 1 and 1 faster or with actual fouls on opponents while shooting. They need to learn to give up a bucket now and when they are beaten badly. And completely stop reaching at 35 feet from the hoop. The Bigs are probably 1000 to 1 fouls to steal ratio when 35 feet from the hoop.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Usual warnings about sample sizes, and getting lost in stats without considering "eye test"...and of course these are not direct comparisons of interchanging Samson w/ Tarris and keeping everything else in the lineup the same...

But here's stats & metrics vs. Top 100 teams from HoopExplorer. Includes the Maui Stinker games plus Baylor & Texas....the lineup breakdowns are at the bottom of the stats.

Samson on the court (excluded the double-big possessions vs. Baylor):
View attachment 105354

Tarris on the court (excluded the double-big possessions vs. Baylor):
View attachment 105355

Notables:

• The differential in NetRtg (Difference in Adjusted Pts per 100 possessions for Offense vs. Defense) is about 20pts higher for Samson lineups vs. Tarris lineups. Of course, some of this can be explained by different lineups as well, but overall team performance doesn't favor Tarris.
• The OR% (Offensive Rebound %) is 26.8% for Samson lineups, while the Defensive Rebound % is 59.5%. Both are below D1 average. Not a surprise given the eye test.
• Same stats for Tarris lineups improve for both OR% (33.7%) and DR is 75.8%

If you look at the Shot Charts:

• With Samson in, our offensive efficiency has been elite both from 3 and at the rim (all shades of green, above D1 averages). Our Rim protection on defense has also been well above D1 averages
• With Tarris in, the offense doesn't click as well yet. Though we do similar close to the rim. Our overall rim protection on D is significantly worse.

In case you were wondering, all of these data look substantially better for all lineups vs. Baylor & Texas. Let's hope it continues to trend in this direction on Saturday vs. the Zags!

If they work Samson in to the offense like they did against Baylor and Texas, I’m not surprised the offensive metrics are better. He is just such a unique skillset in offense and such an athletic mismatch against almost every other big. The offense against Texas looked better and more dynamic with him in the lineup, full stop.

The biggest problem is that he’s just not capable of creating on his own. His looks have to be system-manufactured, unlike Tarris who can get the ball down low and go to work. And there have been some games where the offense just couldn’t figure out how to work him in. I’m hoping we’ve turned a corner on that and we’ll see more consistent output going forward.

 

[jibsey]

I said this after like one game, and I do t care what anyone says, Reed looks to me like the best player on the team and one of the best bigs in the country, He just doesn’t know it yet. But when he finds out, there will be no stopping him. The staff I think knows this and are like me thinking holy this guy will soon be unstoppable once he figures it out.

I would play a nonstop loop of Sanogo’s footwork and close range shots in his room until it’s welded into his brain. His body is actually stronger and better than Sanogo and his hands are vice grips.

 

[willie99]

Our bigs are good, and their offensive production is enough to free up our shooters and our driving lanes

Our offense is evolving on schedule, looking better every game. As is our defense, as are our bigs

I love being a UConn fan. Fun to watch them grow

 

[uconnfan68]

IMO the Zag's center, Ike, is going to pose some real problems for both Reed and Samson Johnson.

That being said re our Bigs, who is gonna guard Nembhard, Hass?

Ike is salivating at not having to face Sanogo or Clingan.

 

[Umami Zen]

Thought our spacing in Texas game-with more facilitation from Alex/Liam at top of key to help the guards-was much better than previous games. Allowed cutters/PnR action/lobs for the Bigs and/or kick outs to our shooters. Offense is starting to look more refined/efficient. Looking forward to seeing our growth at MSG.

 

[jibsey]

Thought our spacing in Texas game-with more facilitation from Alex/Liam at top of key to help the guards-was much better than previous games. Allowed cutters/PnR action/lobs for the Bigs and/or kick outs to our shooters. Offense is starting to look more refined/efficient. Looking forward to seeing our growth at MSG.

Yeah, we had 21 assists. Somebody was doing something right for that to happen.

 

[tennmike]

At the risk of sounding like an old fart, part of Johnson's defensive problems are mechanical. He bends at the waist, arms hanging down, and he has very little knee bend. This is not an optimal posture for lateral movement. Even Ball has a mechanical problem defensively. His feet are too widely placed when defending on the perimeter. Again, hampers his lateral movement.

 

[AllHusky]

Think the Zags are going to see a team appreciably evolved/developed from the Texas game. Lotsa time, lotsa data, lots to work on and implement, especially with the 2 bigs. Love the post by
UC77Duke 74 regarding fouls and and opponents fouls shots/scoring.

"Samson and Reeds fouls probably result in about 10 added free throws per game to opponent"

Easy fix, big payoff. Discipline, discipline, discipline.

 

[cp176]

At the risk of sounding like an old fart, part of Johnson's defensive problems are mechanical. He bends at the waist, arms hanging down, and he has very little knee bend. This is not an optimal posture for lateral movement. Even Ball has a mechanical problem defensively. His feet are too widely placed when defending on the perimeter. Again, hampers his lateral movement.

"In a stance, you have a chance"!

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Kid can't win with some people on here. Plays two great games and the commentary after Baylor was about a foul he committed on a missed rebound.

You must be related to him. He played two GREAT games???? Against Baylor he scored 13 and had 4 rebounds and he fouled out. Against Texas he had 12 points and 1 rebound. These are Great games to you for a UConn center?????

 

[superjohn]

You must be related to him. He played two GREAT games???? Against Baylor he scored 13 and had 4 rebounds and he fouled out. Against Texas he had 12 points and 1 rebound. These are Great games to you for a UConn center?????

Yes, he was great both games. He was especially great against Texas.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

You must be related to him. He played two GREAT games???? Against Baylor he scored 13 and had 4 rebounds and he fouled out. Against Texas he had 12 points and 1 rebound. These are Great games to you for a UConn center?????

This stuff is comical, not to mention boring at this point. I'll go with Hurley's take over yours on this one, "iluvsuebird."

 

[NJHusky]

"Samson and Reeds fouls probably result in about 10 added free throws per game to opponent"

Easy fix, big payoff. Discipline, discipline, discipline.

If it was an easy fix it would have already been fixed, don’t u think?

 

[navery12]

You must be related to him. He played two GREAT games???? Against Baylor he scored 13 and had 4 rebounds and he fouled out. Against Texas he had 12 points and 1 rebound. These are Great games to you for a UConn center?????

Yes. I don't particularly like the idea of Samson as a starting center for this team, but it's undeniable that he's put together 2 great games in a row

 

[imno1]

Yes. I don't particularly like the idea of Samson as a starting center for this team, but it's undeniable that he's put together 2 great games in a row

I have a theory that are a few factors that go into Hurley's decision. 1. Both our centers foul a lot so Coach would rather have Samson Johnson with early fouls. 2. Samson is a quicker leaper so better at the center jump. 3. Hurley knows both will play significant minutes so he has some loyalty to Johnson.

 

[AllHusky]

If it was an easy fix it would have already been fixed, don’t u think?

Maybe “simple fix” better choice. You don’t think they can do it over the next 5-6 weeks? Let’s revisit then. Big test for both tomorrow.

 

[NJHusky]

Maybe “simple fix” better choice. You don’t think they can do it over the next 5-6 weeks? Let’s revisit then. Big test for both tomorrow.

I think everyone should be playing better in 6 weeks. But I still expect Samson Johnson to foul out or be close to fouling out most games. At some point u r what your record says u r.

 

[Hoophound]

Reed is a great talent. I saw the potential last year and backed him when we brought him in. Now, I’m more confident than ever that he’ll be a force.

Samson is Samson. He has potential and brings something to the table as is. He won’t be a force until he can step outside and hit shots. That will open lanes for him. I’m a little torn on that issue. I’ve felt that he should have been encouraged to shoot the 3 more from day one. He’s a very good shooter in pickup games. He is lacking confidence. If he could shoot the 3 at 35%, we’d be a very different team. I think he can do it, but it hasn’t been stressed at all.

 

[jibsey]

Reed is a great talent. I saw the potential last year and backed him when we brought him in. Now, I’m more confident than ever that he’ll be a force.

Samson is Samson. He has potential and brings something to the table as is. He won’t be a force until he can step outside and hit shots. That will open lanes for him. I’m a little torn on that issue. I’ve felt that he should have been encouraged to shoot the 3 more from day one. He’s a very good shooter in pickup games. He is lacking confidence. If he could shoot the 3 at 35%, we’d be a very different team. I think he can do it, but it hasn’t been stressed at all.

You see Hurley letting him shoot 3’s?

 

[Hoophound]

You see Hurley letting him shoot 3’s?

He used to. Missed a few and that was it. Samson is a guy that needs to break free from whatever is holding him back. It might be him, it might be the coach and it might be a combo. He’s very talented when relaxed. I’ve seen it in person. I always thought we’d see that player before he graduated. It’s there somewhere.

 

[jibsey]

He used to. Missed a few and that was it. Samson is a guy that needs to break free from whatever is holding him back. It might be him, it might be the coach and it might be a combo. He’s very talented when relaxed. I’ve seen it in person. I always thought we’d see that player before he graduated. It’s there somewhere.

If he can make 3’s that opens a whole new world for our offense.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

If he can make 3’s that opens a whole new world for our offense.

If he didn’t bring that out against the cupcakes, I would be quite surprised if we see it at all this season.