The Shot Blocking Samuelson | The Boneyard

The Shot Blocking Samuelson

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,209
Reaction Score
153,584
On Wednesday night vs ECU Lou had as complete a game as you can have with a stat-stuffer effort that included 31 pts, 8 rb, 5 ast, 3 bl & 4 stl. Most encouraging was that Lou buried her two 3-pt shots. While the BY has focused considerable angst on Lou’s previous shooting woes, her 3 blocks against ECU give her 15 for the year, far exceeding the 6 she had all last year. Between Geno’s coaching (nagging) as well as her improved overall movement, perhaps the result of her off-season ankle surgery, Lou has become a very solid defender, and she’s having her best year relative to rebounds, steals and blocked shots.

While she’s no Gabby or Kia when it comes to on-ball defense, Lou has learned to get into a strong defensive stance, playing back on quicker offensive players just a bit and moving her feet to the point where she seldom gets beat off the dribble anymore. If the player Lou’s guarding tries to pull up for a jumper, Lou extends her full 6’3” frame to challenge every shot, making it very difficult to shoot over her effectively.

When it comes to off-ball defense, Lou is very good. She’s constantly aware of what’s happening on the floor. She flies across the floor to close out open shooters. She’s like a traffic cop directing secondary switches when UConn is playing man defense. Lou is also very good at poaching the passing lanes, where she gets many of her steals.

A few years ago, Geno asked Lou if she wanted to be a great shooter or a great basketball player? She chose Door #2. This year Lou has become a complete player. She can score, rebound, set up her teammates and play solid defense. In addition, Lou is a coach & cheerleader both on and off the floor. She is the rebounding Samuelson as well as the shot blocking Samuelson. About the only thing Lou doesn’t do is to drive the team bus…..then again?
 
Last edited:

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,209
Reaction Score
153,584
Lou's last block vs ECU was her best. An ECU player was driving to the left side of the basket for a layup. Lou stood her ground with her hands straight up and blocked the shot with her left hand. It made me wonder if Lou's been studying her BFF. Pheesa has some of the best shot blocking technique of anyone I've seen. She stands straight up with arms outstretched, seldom leaves her feet on a pump fake, times the shots perfectly, goes straight up and doesn't swing downward, and doesn't reach across her body to block shots, using either hand, thereby reducing the potential to foul.
 

Bama fan

" As long as you lend a hand"
Joined
Jan 11, 2017
Messages
6,382
Reaction Score
36,771
On Wednesday night vs ECU Lou had as complete a game as you can have with a stat-stuffer effort that included 31 pts, 8 rb, 5 ast, 3 bl & 4 stl. Most encouraging was that Lou buried her two 3-pt shots. While the BY has focused considerable angst on Lou’s previous shooting woes, her 3 blocks against ECU give her 15 for the year, far exceeding the 6 she had all last year. Between Geno’s coaching (nagging) as well as her improved overall movement, perhaps the result of her off-season ankle surgery, Lou has become a very solid defender, and she’s having her best year relative to rebounds, steals and blocked shots.

While she’s no Gabby or Kia when it comes to on-ball defense, Lou has learned to get into a strong defensive stance, playing back on quicker offensive players just a bit and moving her feet to the point where she seldom gets beat off the dribble anymore. If the player Lou’s guarding tries to pull up for a jumper, Lou extends her full 6’3” frame to challenge every shot, making it very difficult to shoot over her effectively.

When it comes to off-ball defense, Lou is very good. She’s constantly aware of what’s happening on the floor. She flies across the floor to close out open shooters. She’s like a traffic cop directing secondary switches when UConn is playing man defense. Lou is also very good at poaching the passing lanes, where she gets many of her steals.

A few years ago, Geno asked Lou if she wanted to be a great shooter or a great basketball player? She chose Door #2. This year Lou has become a complete player. She can score, rebound, set up her teammates and play solid defense. In addition, Lou is a coach & cheerleader both on and off the floor. She is the rebounding Samuelson as well as the shot blocking Samuelson. About the only thing Lou doesn’t do is to drive the team bus…..then again?
I heard she has applied for her CDL. Just a matter of time. ;);)
 

ochoopsfan

OC Hoops Fan
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
4,739
Reaction Score
19,140
Samuelson family career blocks
Bonnie - 29
Karlie - 24
Lou - 37(and growing)

Also an update on career rebounds
Bonnie - 238
Karlie - 357
Lou 565(and growing)--Lou is 30 rebounds behind Bonnie and Karlies combined total of 595.
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
1,754
Reaction Score
13,652
The interesting thing to note about this is that KLS quietly advanced her skills without a lot of fanfare and every year became the complete player in front of our watchful eyes. When she is having a shooting slump, she is performing and doing everything else to help her team and we should be mindful of that. That kind of strength should be admired and applauded. That is real courage.
 
Joined
Mar 8, 2016
Messages
3,824
Reaction Score
15,605
Pheesa and Lou need to teach ONO how to block shots by keeping your hands straight up, not coming down on the ball and hitting the shooter's arm as ONO does constantly. Z had the same issue and seemed to fix it.
 

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,209
Reaction Score
153,584
Pheesa and Lou need to teach ONO how to block shots by keeping your hands straight up, not coming down on the ball and hitting the shooter's arm as ONO does constantly. Z had the same issue and seemed to fix it.
I’m sure CD is working tirelessly with Liv to extend her arm upward and leave it there. With her size and athleticism, Liv has the potential to be one of the best shot blockers in UConn history.
 

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,209
Reaction Score
153,584
Samuelson family career blocks
Bonnie - 29
Karlie - 24
Lou - 37(and growing)

Also an update on career rebounds
Bonnie - 238
Karlie - 357
Lou 565(and growing)--Lou is 30 rebounds behind Bonnie and Karlies combined total of 595.
Thanks for the statistical support. I was taking a shot in the dark with the thread title.
 

Online statistics

Members online
355
Guests online
1,684
Total visitors
2,039

Forum statistics

Threads
159,451
Messages
4,192,183
Members
10,063
Latest member
Martin84


.
Top Bottom