TSam getting some press for next year

[Kitaman]

Expected to have a breakout season as a Sophomore: linky

I will say continually don't sleep on him. Boat is the only guaranteed starter. Purvis and Tsam are about equal, especially if TSam improves over the summer and retains his Championship moxie.

It shouldn't matter who starts but Ollie will have so many options that all of our guards will be challenged to play to their best or they will rest. Will we again have the best backcourt in the country (collectively)? I say most definitely!

 

[metsfan2323]

Boat is the only guaranteed starter. Purvis and Tsam are about equal, especially if TSam improves over the summer and retains his Championship moxie.

All three could start. The two point guard backcourt with the smaller but athletic wing IS UCONN basketball.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Samuel has shown the ability to defend at the high D1 level. The difference between 10-12 minutes and 25 minutes will be his ability to rebound.

Ollie and his coaches shifted their rebounding philosophy early this year. The emphasis for the big men became boxing out and keeping the opposing bigs off the boards. That required Boat and Bazz to crash the boards. UConn sacrificed fast break points for better defensive rebounding numbers. Looks like it worked well.

 

[UConnSwag11]

It will be boat and purvis starting in the backcourt as it should be. Tsam will be first off the bench. He's a game changer with his speed and the ability to defend bigger opponents. The three will be either cassell, Calhoun or Hamilton. I can't wait to see this team get out and run. I can see tsam being a Marcus Williams type player. Dropping dimes all over

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Samuel made many big plays, primarily in driving the ball aggressively to the hoop when the team needed to score desperately. I hope he can be a passer in the vicinity of Marcus Williams, but I have not seen much of that in his game to suggest it. At the same time, when he played, it was primarily with either Bazz or Boat or both, so that he was not expected to be the primary distributor.

I would guess that he will earn a supporting role off the bench, but we shall see. I think that Cassell, Jr. will challenge for minutes as the season progresses...he just seems like he is much more developed as a shooter and possibly as a distributor as well. If the parts can fit together well, we could have a pretty good backcourt. I don't see Samuel challenging Purvis for a starting spot, but time will tell.

 

[UConn17]

I wouldn't be surprised to see dham come off the bench for tsam at the start of the year

 

[uchusky32]

TSam definitely earned minutes. His ability to pass and make jumpers will determine if he starts and how much time he gets. No way are teams going to allow him to drive to the hole all game long. They will play under the pick and roll on him and force him to make jumpers. He will have to knock some down.
He has proven to be a legitimate D1 defender. And he will get lots of time.
But as KO said he has a Farari in his garage just waiting to take out and ride.

 

[James]

Purvis will pretty much be a 30 mpg guy. I think Cassell will take TSAM's role from this year as Tsam moves onto the kromah/Giff role .

 

[huskyharry]

Purvis will pretty much be a 30 mpg guy. I think Cassell will take TSAM's role from this year as Tsam moves onto the kromah/Giff role .

I love TSam, but Coach Ollie is not likely to leave his Ferrari in the garage.

 

[DogMania]

I wouldn't be surprised to see dham come off the bench for tsam at the start of the year

At some point in the season DHam, sooner than later, will be starting if Boat and/or DD do not return. Though even if DD returns, I would not be shocked if at some point DHam is the starting 3 if he shows he's capable of defending the wing. In that scenario Daniels is starting at the 4 like he did this past season.

DHam has a remarkable handle and shot making capabilities at even as a young player. He's far too talented to be playing behind TSam. Although Hamilton might actually have the skills to play both the point guard and the two guard positions, his size lends itself more as a wing. Since we have a lot of talent at the one in two already and not so much at the 3, I think most of his playing time will come at the wing position.

Don't get me wrong, I really like TSam's game and hope that he earns a lot of playing time next season. Hopefully Ollie will have a lot of very good options to play throughout the game providing UConn a lot of quality talent play for the full 40 minutes.

 

[intlzncster]

We have way too much talent on the perimeter. Good problem to have.

 

[mauconnfan]

I would like to think TSam will be a huge part of next years rotation as he looked like he was improving by the game. I agree with others he will be backing all 3 guard positions up and ready to play off the bench, if Boat comes back. I think Rodney is the real deal and will be a great 2 and DHam's size and skill set makes him the perfect starting 3 with Boat. DHam has a very nice handle and he rebounds the basketball……….

No matter there will be excitement again in Storrs……..still may add before the spring ends too!

 

[PacificStorm]

TSam definitely earned minutes. His ability to pass and make jumpers will determine if he starts and how much time he gets. No way are teams going to allow him to drive to the hole all game long. They will play under the pick and roll on him and force him to make jumpers. He will have to knock some down.
He has proven to be a legitimate D1 defender. And he will get lots of time.
But as KO said he has a Farari in his garage just waiting to take out and ride.

KO was referring to Purvis, not Samuels, when he made that statement.

 

[huskyniner]

Boat is the only guaranteed starter.

I'd say Brimah is a guaranteed starter.

 

[uchusky32]

[quoteHD PacificStorm, post: 943076, member: 2249"]KO was referring to Purvis, not Samuels, when he made that statement.[/quote]


Yes he was. That's my point. Tsam played how could he be the Farari that didn't get used?

 

[jibsey]

Unless he can defend DHam won't start. In case nobody noticed, that's how we just won #4.