Why Samson Johnson is primed for breakout year

[HooperScooper]

Mike Anthony article. I'm really curious to see how much better he'll be this season.

“He's unique,” Hurley said. “He kind of came into school as a stretch [power forward] without a consistent 3-point shot. He's had to reshape himself and develop a different identity. The game is positionless, anyway, but he's obviously a major problem for people in the ball screen game. The dunks he had last year were crazy. He's taken a lot of steps in his career here and I thought last year was a big confidence builder. He's physically strong. He's got confidence. We're going to use him differently. He's a unique center. We're right now building a system for him to play in.”

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/samson-johnson-dan-hurley-uconn-huskies-19798445.php

Alternate access:

Why UConn men's basketball senior Samson Johnson is primed for breakout year: 'Table is set for him'​

 

[Puertorock43]

Let’s goooo!!! 3 peat is with in our reach with his improvement!

 

[RuffRuff]

Man, love to see how committed Dan is to him as a kid that has stuck it out, been patient and so connected to the program. I hope he really he shines, albeit have skepticism as to his ceiling to do so. Some of the things he doesn’t do well at this point, are hard to teach.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

He reminded me so much of. Cliff
Except Cliff had they corner J
If he had that . I would love to be his agent

 

[Jaydumo20]

The fact that they are building certain portions of the system to fit him are testament to the staffs flexibility. They changed their whole offensive strategy after the new mexico state loss. That led to a natty.
They don't just have a system that they plug in, which a lot of coaches do. Unbelievable, this guy

 

[alphasigko]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

 

[awy]

good thing he won't have to play edey

 

[SportsFan88]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

Edey gave DC fits too so let’s ease up a bit, the dude was a generational college big lol

 

[mauconnfan]

Edey gave DC fits too so let’s ease up a bit, the dude was a generational college big lol

Far from fits remember he had 17 points until basically garbage time and he started fast. The middle of the game DC gave him fits actually. There was a major difference in what DC did and SJ did physically on he and a couple others defensively no denying that. But I have faith he’ll improve somewhat he looks stronger. The staying out of foul trouble is worrisome though as he engages physically more.

If Reed becomes what he can we may not have to worry about foul trouble they will just share the position as required. And I think Reed will be very good.

 

[Kitaman]

If Samson only becomes a two trick pony, I will be elated.

 

[GlastonTim]

His back to back slams against Edey are what I remember the most!

 

[KingAG]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

There aren’t any Zach Edeys in CBB

 

[Huskyforlife]

If they're building a system for Johnson, I'll assume he's starting.

 

[RuffRuff]

If they're building a system for Johnson, I'll assume he's starting.

Or Reed isn’t catching on as quickly as hoped.

If Dan Hurley moves to a system that pushes the ball to flex to the depth, Samson can be really effective. Some of his best minutes last year were against St John’s, which were up and down.

Samson’s strength are his vertical athleticism and endurance.

In any kind of half court game, especially one with a strong/skilled 5, he tends to get exposed quick.

Poor rebounding
Lack of feel for cutters on defense
High center of gravity, easily hip checked
Bites on pumps
Literally no offensive game other than dunks, has a hella ugly jump shot and free throw form

I could see the staff using Osi as a template since he also had a poor jumper, that he never developed, but did use that one handed push floater a lot, and was marginally effective. He needs to develop some other way of scoring than the lob dunk.

 

[TheHorde]

Edey gave DC fits too so let’s ease up a bit, the dude was a generational college big lol

And Edey is gone and there’s nobody I can think of immediately left in the college game like him.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

every pro samson post inevitably turns into this. I'll never understand.

Put some respect on his name.

 

[uconnfan68]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

Good thing there aren’t any Edeys left.

 

[gtcam]

every pro samson post inevitably turns into this. I'll never understand.

Put some respect on his name.

rest easy
People are trying to point out what they see as his strengths and weaknesses - it's folks opinions.
Jaydumo20 feels Dan Hurley and staff walk on water. while I applaud the success of the past 2 seasons. I am more reserved and am realistic that a few critical injuries could be devastating as well as no guarantee that all these new players will mesh as the veteran teams they have enjoyed last 2 seasons, I fully expect UConn to be in the thick of the NC chase and very well could 3peat. The staff is asking a lot of newbies and non starters in the past to step into new roles.
We all want the tremendous success to continue but I'm with the lets take it one step at a time group.
All is good.

 

[alphasigko]

Good thing there aren’t any Edeys left.

True Dat, but there are still other 5s bigger and stronger than he is. He led the team in PFs with 118 (3.0 PF/game), Spencer was 2nd with 86, and Clingan had 71. Clingan was able to reduce his fouling from '22/'23 to '23/'24; I hope that SJ can do the same. Only time will tell.

 

[uh-no]

Good thing there aren’t any Edeys left.

samson had 7.4 fouls per 40 on the year.....It wasn't just edey...he really couldn't guard anyone without fouling.

 

[alphasigko]

samson had 7.4 fouls per 40 on the year.....It wasn't just edey...he really couldn't guard anyone without fouling.

This

 

[FreeKlaiber]

rest easy
People are trying to point out what they see as his strengths and weaknesses - it's folks opinions.

But its not. Like I said, almost every pro Samson thread there is a portion of our fanbase who seemingly would think he does nothing but step on the court and foul out while trying to set screens and not covering anyone. It's just the same every samson post. A shame he never contributes to our team. lol

Clingan can't hit his foul shots

damn him

see the forest through the trees
its better to stare at the flowers than the weeds

 

[nomar]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

Good thing there aren’t any more 7’4”, 305-pound All Americans. But, yeah, he needs to avoid foul trouble. Reed might have to play more against beefier guys.

 

[RuffRuff]

samson had 7.4 fouls per 40 on the year.....It wasn't just edey...he really couldn't guard anyone without fouling.

Was not an Edey problem it was an overall problem. His fouling issues as a junior were well beyond Clingan’s as a frosh, Clings primarily due to being over-aggressive blocking shots. Many of Samson’s were WTF fouls due to poor position and inability to body up, and really tied into a general lack of awareness. Hope the light bulb goes on and the added strength/size make a difference.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Cautiously optimistic and commendable that he’s stuck it out here when I’m sure he had offers elsewhere. But my expectations are about what they were before last season. He’s a valuable role player. It’s year 4, not year 2 or even 3. Ya kinda know what you’re getting…some highlight dunks, good rim protection and some incredibly dumb fouls/plays mixed in.

 

[Palatine]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

Edey manhandled everyone including Clingan. The guy was complete beast.

 

[imno1]

Edey manhandled everyone including Clingan. The guy was complete beast.

And has a good chance of being the NBA rookie of the year

 

[EZPass]

Not a mic drop but a nice compilation of stops against Edey…

 

[Kenny11]

Samson is our most violent dunker since Stanley right?

 

[mauconnfan]

every pro samson post inevitably turns into this. I'll never understand.

Put some respect on his name.

I think everyone respects who he is and what he’s brought to the program. If you’re going to talk basketball and about each player the only inevitable thing is you will discuss strengths and weaknesses right? Otherwise why have the Yard?