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So I’ve heard but im talking about a full year after thatHe was the starting 4 going into the 22-23 season, so someone saw something
So I’ve heard but im talking about a full year after thatHe was the starting 4 going into the 22-23 season, so someone saw something
It's june. We've had like 2 days of practice. Nobody is a starter until they walk onto the floor on gameday.
Tend to think it’s a bit of a coin flip at the 5 (and likely not a big minutes differential regardless of who starts). If SJ is actually up 20 pounds of muscle from last season, I’d be a lot more optimistic of his chances to start.Well, technically... sure. But just how we could pencil in DC, TN, and AK as starters last year, if we aren't penciling in AK, Mahaney and possibly Reed we're kidding ourselves.
If he wants to have a chance to start at the 5, he needs to be able to handle actual centers without fouling constantly or being physical overpowered.
Who can stop him on a pick and roll slam?UConn lists him at 6'10" and 225 lbs. Still pretty young (turns 22 next month, only 3 months older than Karaban). Still lot of time to improve body, skills and BBIQ. Look at how Hassan improved in one year.
He is freaky athletic, I'm calling breakout player for 2024-25. 3 seasons at UConn has played 68, 46 and 641 minutes. UConn had 6 players who played more minutes last year than SJ has played in his whole career, lot of upside to come.
After Hurley's comments yesterday, it seems like Tarris is going to be the starter. The kid is exceptionally talented when he cuts down on the TOs. But overall, it would be nice to have both of these guys available to throw different looks at opponents.
Last year, Samson wasn't really someone you could throw in as a change of pace very often because of the liability he brought on defense in big games. If he can truly be that change of pace center we'll have a solid rotation.
BIG development if true
Stew is intriguing. We saw him explode from 3 in that game last year, and we also saw him defend pretty big players. Can’t wait.The breakout player for this season is Stewart. Period. Samson gets off the floor faster than any player I have seen at UConn. He gets up and down the court way faster than opponents bigger players can. He passes well. He is a team player. Fans here may under rate him but opposing coaches don't.
He looked like he belonged whenever he got in there. He's going to be really good this year.Stew is intriguing. We saw him explode from 3 in that game last year, and we also saw him defend pretty big players. Can’t wait.
Samson had three limitations last year.How fast can Reed get close to his potential? I think he is a big talent, not a matter of if, but when. He has alot to do, but he can do it.
Samson going to bring it, my question is how much can he bring? I think we’ve seen his limitations(and I love SJ!!)
Does he have those skills? Does he have an inside game other than flushes? It wasn’t asked of him but I hope he does.I think folks on this board under estimate Samson's talent and upside. He still has plenty of head room. Remember, going into the 2022 Season when DC was a freshman, he was a starter until he got hurt. That Summer he was flashing a toolkit of skills. Given the structure and strengths of that team, Hurley and staff adjusted accordingly. It gets to a point where once a team develops a certain level of chemistry, Samson was only asked to do a few things the team needed at the time once he came back. That particular year he lost a lot of opportunity to develop real game experience with that foot injury.
Last year was a regrouping year for Samson and coming into this year I think he will be in a position to flourish and showcase some other skills that he has. I will be looking for his mindset to shift to that upper classmen leader, 2 time champion mindset and trust that Hurley and staff will put him in a position to take that next step.
Hurley as always said that Samson has the raw talent to be on that wall. One thing that I come to recognize from Coach Hurley, is that when he states these kinds of things about a player, he's been 100% spot on.
I'm going to continue to trust the process.
That’s a leap too big for me. This coaching staff has too many success stories for us to say that. What I will say is this: Samson often times shows very low b-ball IQ defensively. Even if he improves on that aspect, it would make him invaluable.Samson isn't going to ever bring something other than rim running, dunks, putbacks. He's far too behind offensively to make the jump to an Adama-esque post game. We don't NEED anything more than that from him to be effective.
I've said it for the past two years: all you need from a backup big is rebounding and defense. If he defends, doesn't foul, and gets boards, he have 6MOTY potential. This weight gain is going to help make both of those possible.
Not Edey, apparently.Who can stop him on a pick and roll slam?