Terrence Samuel

[Danzz]

It's Boat's team and there has been a lot of talk about the newbies Purvis and Hamilton but Samuel is someone I don't feel is mentioned enough and I'm very excited about him. The kid was money down the stretch last season, he provided tons of energy off the bench with his scoring, ballhandling and fearless play. It's not often that a freshman seizes the big stage like that, especially an unheralded one. By the end of the year he also became a knock down ft shooter and played pretty dynamite defense. I think he had a similar freshman Shabazz like effect on the team, you could see how much they rallied around him especially after the Iowa State game. Shabazz has even talked about how much Terrence reminds him of himself as a frosh with his non-stop talking and almost having too much energy. It's Boat's team but I also see Terrence being a leader in just his sophomore season, I know he will become a Husky fan favorite.

Early last season he didn't look very good and KO didn't have the confidence to play him anything other than garbage time minutes. It is great to see a hard working kid like Samuel develop and contribute the way he did latter in the season. He may never get starters minutes with all the backcourt talent we have but he is a solid defender who plays hard and can get to the rim. There is always room on the court for a tough kid like TSam.

 

[OkaForPrez]

I'm not sure how everyone is talking about Rodney's inability to shoot the ball as I believe as a freshman at NCSt he shot about 36-38% from 3 which is nothing to sneeze at from an athlete like that.

I think it comes from his sketchy ft%

 

[Thirty Three]

I think both TSam and Omar have the chance to be really nice role players on this year's team.

If Samuel can give us 15 minutes, and do the things he did last season (play hard, play solid defense, break down defenses and score at the rim occasionally) he will be a terrific backup for Ryan.

If Omar can find his stroke and give us 35-36% from three, he could also be a really nice backup at the 2 or 3 as a three point specialist who can come in and keep perimeter defenses honest (maybe a bit of a Brian Fair type player).

If both these guys can step up in these roles that would obviously really help us with depth and really help cushion the blow of losing Kromah and Giffey.

 

[gtcam]

I think both TSam and Omar have the chance to be really nice role players on this year's team.

If Samuel can give us 15 minutes, and do the things he did last season (play hard, play solid defense, break down defenses and score at the rim occasionally) he will be a terrific backup for Ryan.

If Omar can find his stroke and give us 35-36% from three, he could also be a really nice backup at the 2 or 3 as a three point specialist who can come in and keep perimeter defenses honest (maybe a bit of a Brian Fair type player).

If both these guys can step up in these roles that would obviously really help us with depth and really help cushion the blow of losing Kromah and Giffey.

Would like to see Omar be like Rashad A - to me he resembles RA more than B Fair - phsically and skill wise

 

[ktuck911]

Terrence Samuel is a glue guy... plain and simple... he showed that last year... in a limited but quality role off the bench... He's definitely one of my fav's....

 

[CallMeBruce]

Would like to see Omar be like Rashad A - to me he resembles RA more than B Fair - phsically and skill wise

Omar shot 32% from 3 as a freshman and 24% last year. I'm not expecting him to become anything like Rashad or Fair in terms of sharpshooting.

 

[Pudge]

I guess I go nowhere in this.

I don't see Purvis and Samuel as the same kind of player at all. Purvis is a scorer - shooter or not (36% ain't bad). But he had bigtime ability to just put points up. Samuel was praised as long as we've seen his name AS a distributor. Clearly, Samuel has a unique ability and strength to just go through whatever to get to the rim. He's great with that. A better more confident stroke and Samuel will be a far better weapon. I think Purvis will show his fluid and aggressive scoring mentality early and often. It is what he is.

Both should be solid defenders in our system. Why? They have wonderful athleticism and strength and ... just the want-to shut your guy down attitude.

 

[warbler1055]

Ollie slapped TSam, that's the ultimate brotherhood sign!!!

 

[intlzncster]

I don't see a lot to compare in Purvis and TSam. Rodney will glide a little to get to the hoop and use a burst of athleticism to get by his defender while Terrence will just get there, no matter how as he is a strong kid. I'm not sure how everyone is talking about Rodney's inability to shoot the ball as I believe as a freshman at NCSt he shot about 36-38% from 3 which is nothing to sneeze at from an athlete like that. Not sure how they compare on D, we know TSam is a tough defender, maybe needs a little more foot speed but not bad.
.

Pretty sure Rodney's worked on his stroke in his year+ not playing too. Kid's a gym rat.

 

[CL82]

Reminds me a little of Taliek Brown minus the hate.

Reminds me Khalid because his thickness makes you think he's slower than he actually is.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Khalid was fat. Terrence doesn't look remotely fat.

I think he's going to have a very good season but there's a big difference between being a change of pace / energy guy / ball hawk off the bench and being capable of running a team for long stretches.

 

[UConn17]

Khalid was fat. Terrence doesn't look remotely fat.

I think he's going to have a very good season but there's a big difference between being a change of pace / energy guy / ball hawk off the bench and being capable of running a team for long stretches.

If you have ever walked by Tsam in person, he is legitimately ripped....absolutely no fat

 

[imno1]

Well we won't have to wait much longer to find out about TS and the rest. Practice is about 2 weeks away. Do we know the first when the first official practice is?

 

[HooperScooper]

Well we won't have to wait much longer to find out about TS and the rest. Practice is about 2 weeks away. Do we know the first when the first official practice is?

This from Dom Amore of the Courant earlier this week.

The Husky Run, the jog around the campus that kicks things off each year, is now set for Oct. 1, with the first practice to be Oct. 3 or 4.

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/hc-uconn-men-basketball-0914-20140913-story.html

 

[Greathusky]

It's Boat's team and there has been a lot of talk about the newbies Purvis and Hamilton but Samuel is someone I don't feel is mentioned enough and I'm very excited about him. The kid was money down the stretch last season, he provided tons of energy off the bench with his scoring, ballhandling and fearless play. It's not often that a freshman seizes the big stage like that, especially an unheralded one. By the end of the year he also became a knock down ft shooter and played pretty dynamite defense. I think he had a similar freshman Shabazz like effect on the team, you could see how much they rallied around him especially after the Iowa State game. Shabazz has even talked about how much Terrence reminds him of himself as a frosh with his non-stop talking and almost having too much energy. It's Boat's team but I also see Terrence being a leader in just his sophomore season, I know he will become a Husky fan favorite.

Samuel has that intangible like Bazz. Good things happens when is involved with the play - offense or defense.

 

[BUConn10]

Yikes. This is the Boneyard, I guess.

Edit: You are a moron.

Why am I a moron? Before the post I stated that these comparisons are in jest and greatly exaggerated. If you can't get your Husky-tinted glasses off for a second to see that Omar had one of the worst seasons a UConn player has had in recent memory then I feel sorry for you. I said nothing about comparing his game style to J. Smith, they are completely different players, simply that their shooting efficiencies this past season were abysmal. You cannot deny Omar had absolutely lost his shot last season, the kid could have built a house with all the bricks he laid. Also, his dribbling and all around mechanics were off. Go rewatch the Indiana game from early in the season, he looked like someone who just learned how to dribble, he got called for a DOUBLE DRIBBLE bringing the ball up court at a walking speed with no defenders within 5 feet of him. He was simply not there at all mentally, open your eyes.

 

[Hysteria]

This thread reminded me of the Kenton Facey one from a few weeks ago---only difference here no one thinks TSam cannot contribute...contrast that w the Facey one where many wondered what his role is & if he can contribute this year.
Hope Facey comes on strong....damn we are loaded this year !

 

[Chief00]

There may be others but two leaders by the force of their personality are TSam and Brimah. Boatright is the man this year and eventually a player becomes a leader due to talent or work habits. But these two guys have the intangibles in my view.

 

[caw]

TSam should be a perfect complementary piece to Boat/Purvis as a backup or in three guard lineups. The only reason he won't play a lot is if Cassell/Purvis/Calhoun are better.

I'm hoping Calhoun traveled for a day or so to Germany to magically get that Giffey German summer three point shooting (or worked hard in the gym, either one) and comes back with better shot selection and the ability to make them during games.

There are 200 mins for the ten players, I think every single one will get PT opportunities. Only Boat is guaranteed 30.

 

[James]

i'm high on samuel by why the hell is this thread so long. in my opinion he is almost an unknown. he had moments of brilliance in limited PT in big games, performed well. i need to see him full time. does he have the feel for the game where he can control it for two halves ? people will start scout his hesi dribble to the rack.one thing i love is he kinda hoops like a euro guard,really moves the rock on the perimeter. great iq and vision. needs afloater. a true pg. thats why i'm baffled by the purvis comps.,

 

[joober jones]

Samuel really wasn't that bad of a shooter toward the end of the season. Had he not had a foot on the line, he'd have sunk quite a few threes down the stretch.

 

[champs99and04]

i'm high on samuel by why the hell is this thread so long. in my opinion he is almost an unknown. he had moments of brilliance in limited PT in big games, performed well. i need to see him full time. does he have the feel for the game where he can control it for two halves ? people will start scout his hesi dribble to the rack.one thing i love is he kinda hoops like a euro guard,really moves the rock on the perimeter. great iq and vision. needs afloater. a true pg. thats why i'm baffled by the purvis comps.,

Of course we need to see more from Samuel, but there's no denying the role he played in our NCAA Tournament run (10 points against 'Nova, 11 against Iowa State), and the good news is that he'll be asked to play virtually the same role this season (defense/ball-handling/passing). It isn't like we're asking him to run the show, he's going to play off the ball the majority of the time and share the second unit reps at the point with Purvis, most likely.

 

[aceboon]

i'm high on samuel by why the hell is this thread so long. in my opinion he is almost an unknown. he had moments of brilliance in limited PT in big games, performed well. i need to see him full time. does he have the feel for the game where he can control it for two halves ? people will start scout his hesi dribble to the rack.one thing i love is he kinda hoops like a euro guard,really moves the rock on the perimeter. great iq and vision. needs afloater. a true pg. thats why i'm baffled by the purvis comps.,

In that area he's a very anti NYC guard, most want to pound the hell outta the rock until it has a migraine, TSam is the opposite, always trying to keep it on the move.

 

[Burnsbros23]

Terrence is a nice role player. With so many guys thinking score he comes in and moves the ball. Don't think he will ever be a star, or even a starter.

I also love Cassrll knockdown shooter with good size for a guard. With Samuels, Cassell, Boatright, Hamilton and Purvis I just don't see any minutes for Omar.

 

[Chief00]

Looking forward to evaluating Sam Jr