What will Samson Johnson bring to the team when he returns?

[BuffaloHusky]

I love what Karaban offers but he's been hunted on defense at least since the Oklahoma State game. Samson may or may not be the solution but he is another tool in the toolbox and hopefully his strengths will complement Alex's.

 

[jibsey]

Alex had no help on defense he was playing guys way bigger and taller straight up. Clingan would have been good to have behind him but he was collecting splinters.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

He’s a solid shooter. But that’s literally all he can do.

You seem not to understand what "literally" or "all" or "literally all" mean.

I personally don’t see any “better than average” skills in Karaban.

This seems like a candid admission.

You’re right. Karaban is amazing. He totally didn’t get dominated today on defense. Definitely didn’t get dominated on the boards. Didn’t miss a bunch of open shots. Each of our players are the best in the country!!!

How do you reconcile this with your saying that there's no need to be condescending?

Literally (!), nobody has made any claims like those that you have made directly above.

 

[mauconnfan]

You’re right. Karaban is amazing. He totally didn’t get dominated today on defense. Definitely didn’t get dominated on the boards. Didn’t miss a bunch of open shots. Each of our players are the best in the country!!!

Kid is intelligent on the court, makes shots often (not yesterday) and will get more consistent. Never worried when he gets the ball, can pass to the interior. His defense is good but he’s not strong enough yet no doubt. To say that’s all he can do is ignorant. Maybe not a great game yesterday but he’s been good for a freshman for the majority.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I don’t think it would be the worst thing if Alex was more around 15-18 minutes instead of 25-30. His defensive limitations are pretty apparent, and he’s admitted to feeling tired sometimes. His role shouldn’t be this big as a freshman anyways. Having Samson come in for 10-20 minutes of likely better defense should be a boost for those matchups where Alex is being dominated. Hopefully Samson can be enough of a perimeter threat to not give up too much spacing.

 

[Kitaman]

im just seriously asking what his above average traits are that make him a starter for the #2 team in the nation. And everybody is just slamming me instead of answering.

I think the point is he has above average traits for a freshman, nothing more. If you judge him as a freshman, you can see the potential, and appreciate the effort and contributions.

Initially he was not the starter this season, it happened by default (i.e. SJ injury).

He's a keeper.

 

[Edward Sargent]

I don’t think it would be the worst thing if Alex was more around 15-18 minutes instead of 25-30. His defensive limitations are pretty apparent, and he’s admitted to feeling tired sometimes. His role shouldn’t be this big as a freshman anyways. Having Samson come in for 10-20 minutes of likely better defense should be a boost for those matchups where Alex is being dominated. Hopefully Samson can be enough of a perimeter threat to not give up too much spacing.

I think Alex is looking forward to Samson's return for all the reasons you state

 

[prankster]

I think Alex is looking forward to Samson's return for all the reasons you state

Hey, Ed. How's the COVID recovery going?

 

[mauconnfan]

Hey I admit I’m tough on Samson because he had a rough freshman year anytime he came in and played D, lost often. But kids learn and I for one hope he did his homework and time has allowed him experience. His athleticism and length would be a welcome asset if he can provide solid minutes.

 

[Magic32]

Is he expected back for the Providence game? Article from The Athletic included this statement while discussing UConn, "And it just added another really good player in Samson Johnson, a 6-10 sophomore forward who who hadn’t played since injuring his right foot in the season opener."
I am looking forward to seeing how he will help.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hey I admit I’m tough on Samson because he had a rough freshman year anytime he came in and played D, lost often. But kids learn and I for one hope he did his homework and time has allowed him experience. His athleticism and length would be a welcome asset if he can provide solid minutes.

I think there are two other factors that make that freshman year one you can throw away. (a) he's new to the game, hasn't been playing long. So yes, he's behind American kids but will learn quickly, like Sanogo. (b) most of his minutes came as a backup 5, not at the 4 (where we had Whaley, Akok and Polley). A lot of his time was when Sanogo got hurt (20 minutes vs Grambling). So yes, he was abused on D, because he wasn't strong enough to defend that position.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Hey, Ed. How's the COVID recovery going? Getting better, off isolation today.

Feeling much better. My wife, both daughters and one of my Grandson's have it. We think we got it from my son in law who had a sore throat the day he arrived just before Christmas. We all tested too early and were negative but as the symptoms blossomed tested again and were positive. I won't make that mistake again. According to CDC Guidelines today I can end quarantine but will be masking for a couple of days when in public. Will test again tomorrow. Thanks for asking

 

[aburks41]

Seth Davis' latest piece in The Athletic says that "UConn has added back Samson Johnson". Interesting...

 

[ColchVEGAS]

You’re right. Karaban is amazing. He totally didn’t get dominated today on defense. Definitely didn’t get dominated on the boards. Didn’t miss a bunch of open shots. Each of our players are the best in the country!!!

I do not think anybody has said Karaban is the best stretch 4 in the country, unless I missed it. As a freshman he is better than average in just about every basketball category, the highest being his IQ which is tough to teach.

The question I have is, if you are so down on Karaban who do you play in his spot that makes the team better than utilizing Karaban at the rate he has been used?

Since you are pointing to the Xavier game, know Xavier is an old experienced team, Karaban is a freshman and I would wager he has learned a little about defensive and rebounding positioning over the first 3 BE games now that you are in a fight every night out. When Johnson is fully healthy I think Karaban should see a little more rest, but Johnson does not (from what I have seen), offer the same impact that Karaban does.

Since the coaching staff had Johnson slated to start I guess we can presume he brings more to the team than Karaban, but we also know Hurley has a leash on the majority of the freshman that come in. Who is to say with a healthy Johnson all season Karaban would not have overtaken him by this point anyway. I want Johnson back as another athletic big who appears to have decent touch, but I have not seen enough of his live game action to determine he should get the bulk of the minutes at the 4.

 

[imno1]

Seth Davis' latest piece in The Athletic says that "UConn has added back Samson Johnson". Interesting...

He is probably back doing some live drills but I wouldn’t expect to see him against Providence. Maybe Creighton

 

[prankster]

Feeling much better. My wife, both daughters and one of my Grandson's have it. We think we got it from my son in law who had a sore throat the day he arrived just before Christmas. We all tested too early and were negative but as the symptoms blossomed tested again and were positive. I won't make that mistake again. According to CDC Guidelines today I can end quarantine but will be masking for a couple of days when in public. Will test again tomorrow. Thanks for asking

Where are you watching the Providence game?

 

[imno1]

You’re right. Karaban is amazing. He totally didn’t get dominated today on defense. Definitely didn’t get dominated on the boards. Didn’t miss a bunch of open shots. Each of our players are the best in the country!!!

Imagine how many Freshman of the week awards Alex would have already if he wasn’t mediocre

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Since the coaching staff had Johnson slated to start I guess we can presume he brings more to the team than Karaban, but we also know Hurley has a leash on the majority of the freshman that come in. Who is to say with a healthy Johnson all season Karaban would not have overtaken him by this point anyway. I want Johnson back as another athletic big who appears to have decent touch, but I have not seen enough of his live game action to determine he should get the bulk of the minutes at the 4.

Was Samson the starter at PF for game 1 because Karaban was still getting back into game shape after recovering from a pre-season injury? I thought I read that back then? Does anyone here recall something like this or am I totally 'mis-remembering'?

 

[BuffaloHusky]

Imagine how many Freshman of the week awards Alex would have already if he wasn’t mediocre

Alex has definitely been terrific but there are also matchups which don't favor him and the hope is that Johnson will mitigate some of those difficulties.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Was Samson the starter at PF for game 1 because Karaban was still getting back into game shape after recovering from a pre-season injury? I thought I read that back then? Does anyone here recall something like this or am I totally 'mis-remembering'?

Karaban was nursing an ankle injury if I remember correctly. What I do is both have played roughly 15 games in a UConn uniform, Johnson only 84 minutes total minutes, and Karaban appears to be the better player and better fit to our style of play. That's not to say there are no minutes for Johnson, but I think it is tough to say he is better than or offers more to the team than Karaban.

 

[Hunt for 7]

What I see with AK is a young player who gets better at addressing his weaknesses every game. His shot is not a weakness even though he struggled against Xavier. If SJ comes back and shows an ability like AK to quickly address and improve exposed weaknesses then we will truly be in great shape.

 

[KembaStepback]

Samson and Alex are complementary players. Yes they play mostly the same spot but Alex can likely play some on the wing. There have been matchups this yr where I've wished Samson were in because he'd help. They are just both very different but both very talented players. I dont understand that people think if Alex gets his minutes reduced he will automatically lose all confidence. I'm more worried about this young kid playing a ton of high pressure minutes. The way I see it, some games Alex should play more and some games Samson should play more. That's on Hurley to figure out and I trust that he will.

 

[DW1361]

Alex isn’t the most athletic guy out there. Doesn’t mean he won’t start, but when he can’t match up to a player quicker than him then Samson will be the answer.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Didn’t see this update posted from today… doesn’t sound like he’s ready for Providence tomorrow or Creighton this weekend. 1/11 against Marquette may be the target.

 

[SeattleHoop]

Didn’t see this update posted from today… doesn’t sound like he’s ready for Providence tomorrow or Creighton this weekend. 1/11 against Marquette may be the target.

Sounds like about 2 weeks out, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel so that’s good

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Didn’t see this update posted from today… doesn’t sound like he’s ready for Providence tomorrow or Creighton this weekend. 1/11 against Marquette may be the target.

Didn’t sound from Dan Hurley that Samson would be playing in any games next week either.

 

[CTBasketball]

Didn’t see this update posted from today… doesn’t sound like he’s ready for Providence tomorrow or Creighton this weekend. 1/11 against Marquette may be the target.

If he’s not even practicing or fully running yet, I’d bet it’s likely in February.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Didn’t see this update posted from today… doesn’t sound like he’s ready for Providence tomorrow or Creighton this weekend. 1/11 against Marquette may be the target.

Damn. 3 weeks out i’d say

 

[Edward Sargent]

Where are you watching the Providence game?

I will be at home. We are staying in still a few symptoms. CDC guideline has us masking until the weekend!!

 

[Huskyforlife]

Early December
Late December
Early January
“He just started running”