Apropos of nothing, I not only watch the Huskies but most all of women's college basketball. I see a lot of games while scouting possible future opponents of our girls. I'm just writing to say that I think it is so interesting that both Quadence and Inez left UConn because of being unable to string together any noticeable minutes and the next thing you know, they are in the starting lineups of two other teams; Gonzaga and North Carolina State. I get that Gonzaga is not a top echelon women's basketball school (although very good and usually in the big tournament), but NC State was in the Final Four last season! I just wonder how it can be that Samuels couldn't get minutes for the Huskies, but is now starting for a Top 10 team?! I realize there are many reasons for this, but I just wanted to mention two of our former players have gone on to make a huge impact on other teams. Congrats to them!
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Samuels and Bettencourt
- Thread starter skidroe
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Most players just need an opportunity to play. At UConn, Q was not going to get the opportunity, because of the depth of talent. I think people don't realize the amount of pressure it is when you play at elite schools. Not nearly the same amount of pressure and she fills a need at NC State.
I've watched her play some minutes at NC State. She still couldn't get playing time at UConn.
I've watched her play some minutes at NC State. She still couldn't get playing time at UConn.
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Transferring to NC State had several advantages because of the roster change this past off-season. With several players graduating, there was a better opportunity for Samuels to compete for a starting spot compared to other programs I believe.
Horses for courses is an old 'watchword' - not every athlete fits into every system regardless of sport/gender/or even genus 😎. Inez has definitely dropped down a level of competition while remaining in a D1 program, while Q has made a lateral move but is now playing in a different system with a different coaching staff and different teammates. And they are both a year older/further along in their development. It is not that surprising they would have different results.
Both are skilled players but never looked exactly comfortable at Uconn, and they were competing for minutes with a more skilled roster at Uconn and didn't see a clear path to either starting or even expanding their usage if they remained. And they both seem to have chosen a better situation for themselves through transfer. They would neither have been starting this year at Uconn, and I'm not sure where they would be sitting on the bench had they stayed. It is still early in the season and I wish them well.
Both are skilled players but never looked exactly comfortable at Uconn, and they were competing for minutes with a more skilled roster at Uconn and didn't see a clear path to either starting or even expanding their usage if they remained. And they both seem to have chosen a better situation for themselves through transfer. They would neither have been starting this year at Uconn, and I'm not sure where they would be sitting on the bench had they stayed. It is still early in the season and I wish them well.
It does look weird right now. But nc state won’t be a top 10 team when the games are actually played imo.
Nevertheless, it looks like a good landing spot for Q. And it looks like she will get every opportunity to play.
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They were in the Final Four last season?
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1) Q did not get randomly assigned to another school; she chose it (and they her) so she likely picked a spot that could use her quickly. She seems to have chosen well.
2) Moreso tyan almost anyone, Geno has a very high criteria for playing time. You need to practice a very specific way. I think most coaches are more apt to put folks on the floor and give them more chance to work things out.
2) Moreso tyan almost anyone, Geno has a very high criteria for playing time. You need to practice a very specific way. I think most coaches are more apt to put folks on the floor and give them more chance to work things out.
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I'm pretty sure they lost to South Carolina whom we then demolished for the title.
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Sweet 16 to LSU from a brief search.
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my bad. I guess it was the year before I'm thinking of.
State had a very real need for a starting wing. They lost 3 starters from last year and have no seniors on this years squad. The strength of the team returning was in the backcourt and at the 5. The 3 and 4 were wide open and absolutely had to be filled in the portal, the 4 more so than the 3 but both really.
Q went to a place she could immediately step in and compete for big minutes. She’s starting right now because she gives length and athleticism the team lacks. She’s been fine, she’s clearly the weakest link in the line up but she’s also the least experienced and new to the program, so we’ll see.
From what I’ve observed she’s not too smooth with the ball in her hands or having to make decisions with the ball. Seems best as a catch and shoot (although hasn’t shot well yet) and picking up points on straight drives in transition or lay ins around the rim. I’d like to see her really embrace rebounding and toughness as a defender. Thats what State needs from her. Her competition for minutes is a better overall offensive threat IMO but lacks the same length and athleticism Samuels has. Q will earn her spot if she can defend, defense, rebounding and knocking down the open shot is the role State needs from that spot. Hopefully she can provide it.
Q went to a place she could immediately step in and compete for big minutes. She’s starting right now because she gives length and athleticism the team lacks. She’s been fine, she’s clearly the weakest link in the line up but she’s also the least experienced and new to the program, so we’ll see.
From what I’ve observed she’s not too smooth with the ball in her hands or having to make decisions with the ball. Seems best as a catch and shoot (although hasn’t shot well yet) and picking up points on straight drives in transition or lay ins around the rim. I’d like to see her really embrace rebounding and toughness as a defender. Thats what State needs from her. Her competition for minutes is a better overall offensive threat IMO but lacks the same length and athleticism Samuels has. Q will earn her spot if she can defend, defense, rebounding and knocking down the open shot is the role State needs from that spot. Hopefully she can provide it.
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Back when Samuels committed to UConn I questioned it and was taken to the woodshed on the boards here for saying she should have gone elsewhere because she'd never see pt at UConn. Well then. 😉
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I thought Q did respectably well as the primary defender against Talaysia Cooper. She was physically overmatched and gave up 23 pts. But she stayed with her, and got a couple key rebounds down the stretch. And no one else on the team would have done any better. But you’re right that she is a limited player so far.
100% agree. I believe she led the team that game with a +/- of +16. She has length that no one else on the team other than Lunan, who is a freshman, possesses. Sometimes her side to side quickness is lacking - or maybe she’s caught flat footed, but she sometimes has a tendency to get beat by a smaller quicker guard - however she does have long arms which helps trying to recover to contest a shot.
I think that match up against Cooper perfectly illustrates her role on the team and the need she can fill. She’ll play 30 minutes a game without question if she can lock down as a defender and help neutralize the other teams best guard/wing.
On your #2 - yes practice is important, but more important is consistency - he needs to trust what a player will bring to the court in game situations, and Q remained inconsistent in that regard - very streaky shooter, occasionally a fouling machine, or missing assignments on D. On a team with more consistent options he had a quick hook.
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I don’t recall that but you were likely taken to the woodshed not over the accuracy of your comments but of the tact and appropriateness of them at the time.
Do you show up to a wedding and announce that the couple will never last and eventually divorce?
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That depends on the couple 😉
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