Dartmouth transfer Taurus Samuels will visit Gophers May 5-6

[GopherPlaya]

Much easier to play a freshman SG than a PG, might not be as high of a priority for Johnson to get a veteran SG.

We have 2 freshmen SGs. I think Ben wants to keep both happy, especially Carrington who was the first domino of recruiting

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Well, today is the 5th. Hopefully adding some depth shortly.

 

[Tucker32]

How would they defend with that five?

Easy lineup to defend with. See the post of The Athletic interview with Ben.

 

[Tucker32]

History suggests Ihnen is not a perimeter player. His success was almost all playing inside.

Not really. He can guard on the perimeter and coaches were really high on him last summer/fall before injury, intending to play him on perimeter. Very poorly used by previous staff, and recruited hard by Ben to stay.

 

[bga1]

Not really. He can guard on the perimeter and coaches were really high on him last summer/fall before injury, intending to play him on perimeter. Very poorly used by previous staff, and recruited hard by Ben to stay.

I think you are right he can defend anywhere. The problem he had a couple years back, was that he did float on the perimeter and do nothing but shoot threes and he was really uncertain about driving to the bucket. I do believe confidence is a big thing with him and Ben was probably seeing a whole different guy in practices over last summer than he saw on film from games.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Well, today is the 5th. Hopefully adding some depth shortly.

Samuels looked solid against Stanford. He showed good ball handling skills and is a smart player. Only forced it one time. Ended up with 22pts. He is a good defender and being just 6-0 he held his own on D. I saw one time when a taller player posted him and up and scored easily.

From what I saw he would be a good addition and could push Cooper for minutes. He can play and I question if he will be happy with a back-up role versus the guy at PG.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Samuels looked solid against Stanford. He showed good ball handling skills and is a smart player. Only forced it one time. Ended up with 22pts. He is a good defender and being just 6-0 he held his own on D. I saw one time when a taller player posted him and up and scored easily.

From what I saw he would be a good addition and could push Cooper for minutes. He can play and I question if he will be happy with a back-up role versus the guy at PG.

Going to assume if we don’t get the Denzel “boom” by tomorrow afternoon your last sentence is probably true.

 

[bga1]

Going to assume if we don’t get the Denzel “boom” by tomorrow afternoon your last sentence is probably true.

Where can guys go to play that they don't have to compete for time? If they want to play at the highest level of college basketball, this is as good of a shot as they are going to get. I like what I hear about Talon but I don't think his PT is cemented if this kid is as good or better. If these guys are good they have some level of confidence that they are going to beat somebody out for enough playing time.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Where can guys go to play that they don't have to compete for time? If they want to play at the highest level of college basketball, this is as good of a shot as they are going to get. I like what I hear about Talon but I don't think his PT is cemented if this kid is as good or better. If these guys are good they have some level of confidence that they are going to beat somebody out for enough playing time.

Also, would you come in for a visit knowing the situation and then come to such a conclusion? Unless you just wanted to visit the Mall of America or something like that, can’t see it.

 

[skiumah1]

Also, would you come in for a visit knowing the situation and then come to such a conclusion? Unless you just wanted to visit the Mall of America or something like that, can’t see it.

I'd think we grab 1 of these 2 guys when it's said and done.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Where can guys go to play that they don't have to compete for time? If they want to play at the highest level of college basketball, this is as good of a shot as they are going to get. I like what I hear about Talon but I don't think his PT is cemented if this kid is as good or better. If these guys are good they have some level of confidence that they are going to beat somebody out for enough playing time.

I don't think that is a problem as he excelled at Dartmouth and they are many other places where minutes are available.

I am certainly not an expert, but I watched tape on both Cooper and Samuel and feel comfortable that both can fill the PG spot. Neither would likely be near the top 1/3 of BT guard talent but would be serviceable. My main concern for both is lack quickness to contain quick, strong PG's. Samuel actually looked better in that role and appeared to be a bit stronger.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

WHY HASN’T HE COMMITTED YET?

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

WHY HASN’T HE COMMITTED YET?

I’m patient. Giving it until 1:30 today.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

I’m patient. Giving it until 1:30 today.

 

[60's Guy]

Oh, oh...it's 2:00...you still okay, Ray?
Do we have a rim protector to ward off these driving point guards?
Ja Morant is a problem but the Big Ten doesn't have too many lightning quick penetrating point guards do they?
I still like us as a zone team.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Guess Samuels is just coming off a visit to Drexel.

 

[60's Guy]

1. Henley has probably gotten better at ball handling...that's a quicker fix than most anything in basketball skills.
2. If Ben is saying he could handle the point some...that confirms that.
3. He'll definitely be better by season's start.
The only fly in the ointment...instincts and making decisions are a huge part of being a point guard.
Just because you can handle the ball doesn't make you a point guard. But hopefully...and at 6'7 it'd be a nice weapon. Guessing with his length and quickness he can defend smaller point guards.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Any word? I’m in the “at least one more experienced, adept ball handler” camp. Plus what better names than Ta’lon and Taurus?

 

[Johnnyboy18]

Any word? I’m in the “at least one more experienced, adept ball handler” camp. Plus what better names than Ta’lon and Taurus?

His visit started yesterday and ends tomorrow.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Guess Samuels is just coming off a visit to Drexel.

I think they lost their Sr PG and leading scorer as well as a Sr backup and another transfer. So they may have lots of available PT to offer.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

I think they lost their Sr PG and leading scorer as well as a Sr backup and another transfer. So they may have lots of available PT to offer.

Ahhhh, that's where Camren Wynter was at before transferring to Penn State.
Wynter was mentioned as a possible interest by the Gophers by someone if my recollection serves me correct. Good pick up for Penn State. Great numbers at Drexel.
Understand what you are getting at.

 

[howeda7]

Samuels looked solid against Stanford. He showed good ball handling skills and is a smart player. Only forced it one time. Ended up with 22pts. He is a good defender and being just 6-0 he held his own on D. I saw one time when a taller player posted him and up and scored easily.

From what I saw he would be a good addition and could push Cooper for minutes. He can play and I question if he will be happy with a back-up role versus the guy at PG.

Is there any reason they can't play together? I like Carrington but I think this anointing him the starting 2 guard in May is a bit over the top. Even if he doesn't start, there's probably 15-20 minutes/game to be had backing up both.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Is there any reason they can't play together? I like Carrington but I think this anointing him the starting 2 guard in May is a bit over the top. Even if he doesn't start, there's probably 15-20 minutes/game to be had backing up both.

Good question! Samuel is just 6ft so prob have to defend the 1 and Cooper the 2. Neither are shoot first, pass second types nor, IMO, shut down type defenders. Both shot under 35% from 3 and under 40% FG so not big threats to score. If he comes here, that gives Ben another experienced option and takes some pressure of Carrington or any other FR who ends up playing or defending the 1. In lieu of better prospects, I hope he decides to be a Gopher.

 

[UnFadeable21]

Gophers need that backup point guard. There is a role and minutes for him! I hope he signs. Minnesota is going to be a dark horse in the Big 10 this season.


This is the last role the team needs.

 

[Dakota2]

We have 2 freshmen SGs. I think Ben wants to keep both happy, especially Carrington who was the first domino of recruiting

I would disagree a bit that he wants to keep them happy. He thinks they can contribute. If one of the freshmen turn out along the line of Thiam he won't mind if he transfers after a year.

 

[Dakota2]

I think you are right he can defend anywhere. The problem he had a couple years back, was that he did float on the perimeter and do nothing but shoot threes and he was really uncertain about driving to the bucket. I do believe confidence is a big thing with him and Ben was probably seeing a whole different guy in practices over last summer than he saw on film from games.

Pitino had no offense. If you wanted to steal a shot from Carr better jack up any shot you could.

 

[bga1]

Pitino had no offense. If you wanted to steal a shot from Carr better jack up any shot you could.

I disagree. But I will say, he often did not have the talent needed to run it. So that's on him. At this point, it doesn't matter anymore.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Ok, Taurus, don’t leave us hangin’.
Beautiful day for a commitment.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Ok, Taurus, don’t leave us hangin’.
Beautiful day for a commitment.

Ditto!

He would look good in M&G!

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Gophers need that backup point guard. There is a role and minutes for him! I hope he signs. Minnesota is going to be a dark horse in the Big 10 this season.


This is the last role the team needs.

I'm not super concerned about backup PG. I'd like to add one but I think Cooper will get a lot of minutes. I also think Carrington (if surrounded by other ball handlers) isn't that much different than Willis or Loewe in terms of being able to bring the ball up. I didn't really even consider Henley until this thread as an option to backup some minutes.

For me, the backup PG is really a position of need in terms of depth. IMO, all of the wing positions need quite a bit more depth. I'm a bit concerned that we are now considering (it seems) Battle as a wing and not a stretch 4. I hope I'm wrong, but I think Battle should be getting significant run as our stretch 4 (playing with three other wing/guard types).