Traci Carter (Committed to Marquette)

[huskiesnyc]

Top 5 available PG's per Scout

http://scouthoops.scout.com/story/1...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

[7774]

No way in hell is Cassell a PG. He's an undersized SG. Samuel will improve his distribution abilities with time, but Carter is a much better prospect than Samuel -- he's further along than Samuel was as a frosh, and he'll be able to add much more to the team than Samuel did. This is not a knock on Terrence, I'm one of his biggest fans. But a player like Carter is a great piece for the program to add, both in the short term and the long term.

I always get a laugh out of people who think they can definitively state what a player is/isn't halfway through their freshman year. Thank god reality doesn't work that way or our program would basically have no accomplishments.

It was also nice you threw in the classic "high school player X is going to be much better than player Y currently on our roster". Another great one.

 

[Stainmaster]

I always get a laugh out of people who think they can definitively state what a player is/isn't halfway through their freshman year. Thank god reality doesn't work that way or our program would basically have no accomplishments.

It was also nice you threw in the classic "high school player X is going to be much better than player Y currently on our roster". Another great one.

Cassell's a redshirt sophomore who's old for his age. I think if a sweeping generalization was appropriate for any player, it would be for him.

I said that Carter would be better as a freshman than Samuel was as a freshman, not currently. Look at Samuel's pre-NCAA tourney stat line from last year, it shouldn't be hard to surpass.

 

[7774]

Cassell's a redshirt sophomore who's old for his age. I think if a sweeping generalization was appropriate for any player, it would be for him.

I said that Carter would be better as a freshman than Samuel was as a freshman, not currently. Look at Samuel's pre-NCAA tourney stat line from last year, it shouldn't be hard to surpass.

I really don't care how old Cassell is, he has played 18 actual college games. He's only this year discovering what the weaknesses in his game are, so I'm going to give him at least one off season to improve on them before I decide what he can or can't be.

As for Samuel, his stats don't capture defense, which is the main reason he got on the court last year. Most freshmen do not defend as well as TSam did. And why are we looking at his pre-NCAA tourney stats? He played very well in the 6 most important games of the year, but we'll just not count that? Any player can be better than another player if you just ignore the games in which they play well.

 

[mauconnfan]

I really don't care how old Cassell is, he has played 18 actual college games. He's only this year discovering what the weaknesses in his game are, so I'm going to give him at least one off season to improve on them before I decide what he can or can't be.

As for Samuel, his stats don't capture defense, which is the main reason he got on the court last year. Most freshmen do not defend as well as TSam did. And why are we looking at his pre-NCAA tourney stats? He played very well in the 6 most important games of the year, but we'll just not count that? Any player can be better than another player if you just ignore the games in which they play well.

Yeah but now you're seeing more than a sample size and do you feel he's as good as he was in the post season? Maybe some games, maybe not in others. He is more the player, minutes wise, we used in the post season last year than he is 20 plus minutes this year. He's been ok, sometimes good, but he's just not the overall player we need to see the court that often, that's a fact. How much can we ask of him though since at times we need him to? So in that case I guess he's been fairly decent overall.

 

[mauconnfan]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/qBT3CqS5C20

What about Traci's teammate and Never nervous's son? Heard the staff was checking out both...he holds an offer from the Terps.

 

[7774]

Yeah but now you're seeing more than a sample size and do you feel he's as good as he was in the post season? Maybe some games, maybe not in others. He is more the player, minutes wise, we used in the post season last year than he is 20 plus minutes this year. He's been ok, sometimes good, but he's just not the overall player we need to see the court that often, that's a fact. How much can we ask of him though since at times we need him to? So in that case I guess he's been fairly decent overall.

Honestly, it's tough for me to tell. I think he has improved, but looks the same this year, or maybe even a little worse sometimes, because the situation he is in this year is so much more difficult than last year. In other words, I think if you put this year's Samuel on last years roster with Shabazz, Daniels, Neils, etc. he would be a better player and provide more than last year's version of Samuel did. The strengths of his game right now (driving and slashing) are much more difficult this year because we don't have the spacing created by a bunch of good shooters.

I do think we can be successful the next 2 years with him playing 20+ minutes a game if he improves at a similar rate to our other guards since Ollie has been on the coaching staff. He should be a + defender, which is a great start. We need him to become at least a minor threat to make 3's, but he has shown some ability to make mid range jump shots, and he doesn't have terrible form.

 

[Stainmaster]

7774 I do agree with you, Samuel is a key piece who will keep improving. And if Carter ends up at UCONN, I want Samuel playing ahead of him to start.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

finally some good news.
if everyone comes back and you add adams and carter.
could be a surprisingly good team, if we catch a few breaks.
I don't expect much from enoch next year but brimah and facey may improve a lot.

If Enoch can beat out Nolan next year to be first off the bench when Brimah and Facey come out, that'd be a productive frosh year. Otherwise, may be best to red-shirt him.

 

[mauconnfan]

Honestly, it's tough for me to tell. I think he has improved, but looks the same this year, or maybe even a little worse sometimes, because the situation he is in this year is so much more difficult than last year. In other words, I think if you put this year's Samuel on last years roster with Shabazz, Daniels, Neils, etc. he would be a better player and provide more than last year's version of Samuel did. The strengths of his game right now (driving and slashing) are much more difficult this year because we don't have the spacing created by a bunch of good shooters.

I do think we can be successful the next 2 years with him playing 20+ minutes a game if he improves at a similar rate to our other guards since Ollie has been on the coaching staff. He should be a + defender, which is a great start. We need him to become at least a minor threat to make 3's, but he has shown some ability to make mid range jump shots, and he doesn't have terrible form.

See it's fine to think he can be better than most think and you're reply is solid in that regard. I hope you're right too, I really do. I just think guys like him and Kentan are the 6,7,8 guys off a real good teams bench and for now, we're they're biting off more time than they can chew on. It takes tome to grow so with 2 plus left maybe they both can. We'll see.

 

[3rdbass]

7774 I do agree with you, Samuel is a key piece who will keep improving. And if Carter ends up at UCONN, I want Samuel playing ahead of him to start.

I think the starting lineup next year will be.
C Amida Brimah
PF Daniel Hamilton
SF Rodney Purvis
PG Terrence Samuel
SG Jalen Adams

Unless Kelis Fisher improves drastically and SE can step in as a Freshman I don't see a different starting line-up at the beginning of the year. I think Ollie will realize we are a small ball team. I do hope SE is better than Kelis Fisher so he could maybe develop into the starting lineup at the end of the year. Were things could change is if Traci is better than TS I can see him supplanting him the starting line-up.

It will be interesting to see who will play next year. I wonder if RL will get any time next year?

 

[uconngb]

If Enoch can beat out Nolan next year to be first off the bench when Brimah and Facey come out, that'd be a productive frosh year. Otherwise, may be best to red-shirt him.

If Enoch can put one foot in front of the other without falling down, and can score from a foot away from the basket, he will pass Nolan immediately.

 

[mauconnfan]

7774 I do agree with you, Samuel is a key piece who will keep improving. And if Carter ends up at UCONN, I want Samuel playing ahead of him to start.

Okay while I hope that TSam improves enough to be sure if a guy like Traci comes here, he plays ahead of him then I agree. But if he's the same player in turn we need Traci Carter to then be the "surprise" guy who is not only playing better than some would expect, but also is the guy pushing all others to be better.

Of course we need to win a recruiting battle first

 

[Stainmaster]

I think the starting lineup next year will be.
C Amida Brimah
PF Daniel Hamilton
SF Rodney Purvis
PG Terrence Samuel
SG Jalen Adams

Unless Kelis Fisher improves drastically and SE can step in as a Freshman I don't see a different starting line-up a the beginning of the year. Were things could change is if Traci is better than TS I can see him supplanting him the starting line-up.

It will be interesting to see who will play next year. I wonder if RL will get any time next year?

I would really, really like to see Samuel work on his mid-range/long-range game over the summer. He is by no means a natural 2, but I want to see Adams running the offense as early as possible. I know there's a definite learning curve for freshmen coming in (even the uber-talented ones, as we've seen with Hamilton), but assuming Adams is going to fit the "UCONN lead guard" mold, he should get as much floor general experience as possible.

 

[3rdbass]

If Enoch can beat out Nolan next year to be first off the bench when Brimah and Facey come out, that'd be a productive frosh year. Otherwise, may be best to red-shirt him.

I think RS Rakim might be a better choice as he seems very raw also.

 

[Stainmaster]

Enoch's improvement in a tough NEPSAC league makes me optimistic that he will come in more ready than Lubin was, although that isn't saying much. I love the Rock and the swagger he plays with, but boy does he need seasoning.

 

[3rdbass]

I would really, really like to see Samuel work on his mid-range/long-range game over the summer. He is by no means a natural 2, but I want to see Adams running the offense as early as possible. I know there's a definite learning curve for freshmen coming in (even the uber-talented ones, as we've seen with Hamilton), but assuming Adams is going to fit the "UCONN lead guard" mold, he should get as much floor general experience as possible.

Well not sure he needs to be the lead guard necessarily as he can take turns with either TS/TC. His skills seem to match RB a lot who is better playing off the ball. I'm not saying JA's can't become a great PG but it sounds like he is a big time scorer first.

 

[Gringo]

The strengths of his game right now (driving and slashing) are much more difficult this year because we don't have the spacing created by a bunch of good shooters.

Agreed, and to build off your point I'd like to see Samuel get better at penetrating then dishing out to a big or a shooter. When he drives he is always looking to shoot instead of passing. He has a quick first step and if he wants to develop into a real option at point guard in the future he has to get better at distributing when he gets in the lane.

Enoch's improvement in a tough NEPSAC league makes me optimistic that he will come in more ready than Lubin was, although that isn't saying much. I love the Rock and the swagger he plays with, but boy does he need seasoning.

Enoch is a top 100 and in some recruiting services a top 40 recruit. It's reasonable to expect more from him his freshman year than Rock. I'm guessing it will take some time to develop him, just like any other player, but he could be a solid rotation guy his fresman year.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Okay while I hope that TSam improves enough to be sure if a guy like Traci comes here, he plays ahead of him then I agree. But if he's the same player in turn we need Traci Carter to then be the "surprise" guy who is not only playing better than some would expect, but also is the guy pushing all others to be better.

Of course we need to win a recruiting battle first

If TSam can improve his shooting (and it has improved somewhat from last year), I see his value being at SG the next 2 years. He's not a natural PG, which is fine. He has a role on this team and it's as a disrupter, not as a facilitator. When he plays PG, the offense which is already limited, stagnates. Let him be who he is, instead of trying to turn him into something he is not.

 

[mauconnfan]

If Enoch can put one foot in front of the other without falling down, and can score from a foot away from the basket, he will pass Nolan immediately.

If TSam can improve his shooting (and it has improved somewhat from last year), I see his value being at SG the next 2 years. He's not a natural PG, which is fine. He has a role on this team and it's as a disrupter, not as a facilitator. When he plays PG, the offense which is already limited, stagnates. Let him be who he is, instead of trying to turn him into something he is not.

If he is ever our SG we will be on our way to the cellar of the AAC with no P5 in sight. Sorry while I agree he's not a great facilitator you can't have a non-shooter at SG unless he can get to the basket whenever he wants. This is really easy, he's fine as a back up, solid PG who needs to just take care of the ball and play solid defense. So while you say "let him be who he is ....and not who he is not", let's eliminate any SG time because he is most definitely NOT that.

 

[boog204]

If he is ever our SG we will be on our way to the cellar of the AAC with no P5 in sight. Sorry while I agree he's not a great facilitator you can't have a non-shooter at SG unless he can get to the basket whenever he wants. This is really easy, he's fine as a back up, solid PG who needs to just take care of the ball and play solid defense. So while you say "let him be who he is ....and not who he is not", let's eliminate any SG time because he is most definitely NOT that.

I agree with you except the thought of Ricky Moore keeps on entering my mind. If you can have a scoring point and a scoring wing (KEA/Rip, Jalen/DHam?) you can get away with a defense first combo playing off the ball. Ricky, however, was superior to TSam in almost all skill sets though.

 

[mauconnfan]

I agree with you except the thought of Ricky Moore keeps on entering my mind. If you can have a scoring point and a scoring wing (KEA/Rip, Jalen/DHam?) you can get away with a defense first combo playing off the ball. Ricky, however, was superior to TSam in almost all skill sets though.

Yes agree, but his skills as you pointed out are not Ricky on either end. KEA was actually the 2 in a PG's body and he also had Sheffer who could shoot it and facilitate.

 

[boog204]

Yes agree, but his skills as you pointed out are not Ricky on either end. KEA was actually the 2 in a PG's body and he also had Sheffer who could shoot it and facilitate.

Doron wasn't on those teams... Sheffer was w/ KO. Still my point is that you can have relative non-shooter at the two if you can make up that offense in other places or in UConn style, you have a scoring PG who sometimes you want to run stuff for. Austrie served this role too in a way to AJ. TSam could maybe fill that role if Jalen can fill it up and would benefit playing off the ball for a possession here or there a la KEA, AJ, and Boat.

 

[mauconnfan]

Doron wasn't on those teams... Sheffer was w/ KO. Still my point is that you can have relative non-shooter at the two if you can make up that offense in other places or in UConn style, you have a scoring PG who sometimes you want to run stuff for. Austrie served this role too in a way to AJ. TSam could maybe fill that role if Jalen can fill it up and would benefit playing off the ball for a possession here or there a la KEA, AJ, and Boat.

Ricky got hurt as a freshman in the Colgate game which killed us because Doron had a bad hammy vs Miss ST I believe?

 

[MuchoDogYears]

If he is ever our SG we will be on our way to the cellar of the AAC with no P5 in sight. Sorry while I agree he's not a great facilitator you can't have a non-shooter at SG unless he can get to the basket whenever he wants. This is really easy, he's fine as a back up, solid PG who needs to just take care of the ball and play solid defense. So while you say "let him be who he is ....and not who he is not", let's eliminate any SG time because he is most definitely NOT that.

I get what you're saying. It's an interesting question...does TSam have more potential at developing his passing abilities or his scoring abilities? As you say, he's been fine as a backup PG. But you say that he's NOT a SG....well, he's a better scorer than a passer, which says he's a better SG than PG. Yes, he can't shoot, but he CAN score...and I'd rather have a SG who can find a way to score than a PG who can't run an offense.

Either way, and I think we both concur on this, he's limited at either position and therefore shouldn't be a starter at either.

 

[7774]

If he is ever our SG we will be on our way to the cellar of the AAC with no P5 in sight. Sorry while I agree he's not a great facilitator you can't have a non-shooter at SG unless he can get to the basket whenever he wants. This is really easy, he's fine as a back up, solid PG who needs to just take care of the ball and play solid defense. So while you say "let him be who he is ....and not who he is not", let's eliminate any SG time because he is most definitely NOT that.

Unless, of course, he improves. Sometimes I think 90% of this board takes a mental snapshot of all our former players at their very best, and then just pretend that's what the player always was.

Every key player on last years championship team got ripped apart on this board in their younger years. During Bazz's sophomore year we were never going to accomplish anything if we were relying on him as a leader going forward. Daniels was a complete bust when he was chucking up 3's at a 28% clip and looking totally lost as a freshman. We were never going to accomplish anything if Giffey was playing more than 10 minutes a game. Boat was too selfish to fit in on a winning team.

It's the same cycle over and over.

 

[huskiesnyc]

I get what you're saying. It's an interesting question...does TSam have more potential at developing his passing abilities or his scoring abilities? As you say, he's been fine as a backup PG. But you say that he's NOT a SG....well, he's a better scorer than a passer, which says he's a better SG than PG. Yes, he can't shoot, but he CAN score...and I'd rather have a SG who can find a way to score than a PG who can't run an offense.

Either way, and I think we both concur on this, he's limited at either position and therefore shouldn't be a starter at either.

Other than Boat, Tsam is the only player on the team capable of handling the ball at PG - that's his biggest asset. It doesn't make any sense to move him off the ball.

 

[upstater]

Ricky could also shoot a little from the outside, but his main attribute was being the biggest ball pest in UConn history.

 

[PradaMane]

Personally, Im not that impressed with Traci Carter. I may be in the minority but I don't see him stepping in and being better than anyone of our guards this year aftter the productive summer they should have after being exposed.

This maybe unpopular but I really like what we have from a guard standpoint from next year. The kids know what they need to work on, I know Ollie lets them know religously and some will come back improved some won't but will come with a higher basketball IQ. If tracey does commit no chance he plays over T Sam in my eyes and if he does I would have a ton of questions for our player development department.

I am on board with getting a athletic wing with some kind of stroke.. Somewhere between 6'4-6'7, who can get lets say 10-15 minutes at the 2-3 guard. I see hamilton being a starting 3 and select 4 with the correct matchup and Facey being starting 4 and play some 5 if brimah is in foul trouble.

In no way is Mr. Carter a 'must get' in my eyes.

 

[Glastonhusky]

Personally, Im not that impressed with Traci Carter. I may be in the minority but I don't see him stepping in and being better than anyone of our guards this year aftter the productive summer they should have after being exposed.

This maybe unpopular but I really like what we have from a guard standpoint from next year. The kids know what they need to work on, I know Ollie lets them know religously and some will come back improved some won't but will come with a higher basketball IQ. If tracey does commit no chance he plays over T Sam in my eyes and if he does I would have a ton of questions for our player development department.

I am on board with getting a athletic wing with some kind of stroke.. Somewhere between 6'4-6'7, who can get lets say 10-15 minutes at the 2-3 guard. I see hamilton being a starting 3 and select 4 with the correct matchup and Facey being starting 4 and play some 5 if brimah is in foul trouble.

In no way is Mr. Carter a 'must get' in my eyes.

Don't we have 2 spots left? how about Carter and a wing shooter? I'm intrigued by the German kid mentioned in another post, 6' 9" and can shoot it from the outside. Of course if Mr. Stone wanted one of the slots, I wouldn't mind that either.