I'll say this about Sampson

[gopherbadgerman]

He did look pretty good pulling up from 15-18 feet, shot with confidence. Maybe with him working the high post and elbows it will allow Trevor and Colt some room to bang inside, and also free up Williams cutting to the hoop. I still wish he was a little more physical, but I guess he is what he is, and hoepfully Tubby uses him in that way...

 

[goldenboy]

I agree his shot looked pretty good last night

His shot has an incredible arc, though, for a player his height. Seems to go 5-8 feet higher than most players, and he's starting it out about 9 feet above the floor, too. Nice to see him make a few since neither Trevor nor Colt has that in their arsenal.

 

[scher215]

I know others criticize him for it, but I like that he is getting more confident and shooting more 3's. If he can become a solid 3 point shooter and quicker on the perimeter for next year even, that is HUGE. With Blake gone, who says a 6-11 guy can't be one of our good shooters? If he can hover around 30% or 40% 3 point shooting. I will take it. Not quite great numbers, but it will really clear the lane for Trevor and Colt when he steps out there.

 

[Section201]

Call me...

Call me old fashioned but I like my 6'10" 255 pound centers near the basket.

 

[figi]

Call me old fashioned but I like my 6'10" 255 pound centers near the basket.

Yes, but, when a big guy can step outside and put the ball in the basket, that is a huge weapon. The other team has to decide how they are going to defend it. Look at how affective Wisconsin's big forwards are on the outside. If you have that weapon you use it.

By the same token if you have someone like Rodney who is afraid to put the ball up from outside how does he ever add that to his game? Every skill a player can add to his arsonal can only make him and the team better.

 

[GopherinPhilly]

Call me old fashioned but I like my 6'10" 255 pound centers near the basket.

I disagree...having RSIII shooting outside gives us great match ups with other teams and with Trevor, Mo and Colt down low...we really don't need him down their banging. If he could get consistent it clears the lane for so much more...plus I prefer Rodney playing with his back to the basket as he develops his jump shot...another match up nightmare for teams with Rodney and Trevor on the low post, RSIII high post and Hollins on the wing and Chip with the ball in his hands...who do you cover...who doubles...if you run high-low screens...do you switch...and all the while you got a guy that can finish with the rock and a shooter sitting outside waiting for his guy to leave him. Now just when you think you got it all figured out...swap Mo for RSIII, Colt for RW and Oto for Trevor...now you got two shooters, two 6'10 guys that can bang and screen and still a guy that can drive...oh yeah...Mo looks good from 15 too...man, that kind of depth and match up issues will make us an absolute beast in the big ten next year...if RSIII can make shots consistently...big if.

 

[Section201]

the numbers

I would agree if Ralph was shooting 35 or 40 % from the 3 line but he is shooting 21% for threes. He is shooting 46% from the field and if he were more inside the key than outside the key I think he would be well over 50%.

Ralph does not currently seem to be Leuer-like from the outside (46% for threes).

 

[GopherinPhilly]

I would agree if Ralph was shooting 35 or 40 % from the 3 line but he is shooting 21% for threes. He is shooting 46% from the field and if he were more inside the key than outside the key I think he would be well over 50%.

Ralph does not currently seem to be Leuer-like from the outside (46% for threes).

Thats why I said "If he gets consistent"...Leuer didn't make 40% from 3-point land as a Sophomore...so I am hopeful Ralph keeps shooting and growing and getting better...

 

[ShowinGoldyLove]

Thats why I said "If he gets consistent"...Leuer didn't make 40% from 3-point land as a Sophomore...so I am hopeful Ralph keeps shooting and growing and getting better...

Well, Leuer shot 46% from 3 as a freshman, and 40% as a junior (same year as Ralph), and 46% this year.

I just don't see Sampson developing the 3 point shot. He's way more valuable inside, and really puts us at a disadvantage when clanking 20% from 3.

 

[underground629]

Hover around 40% 3 point shooting? I think there's as good of a chance of Devoe coming back to the team.

I know others criticize him for it, but I like that he is getting more confident and shooting more 3's. If he can become a solid 3 point shooter and quicker on the perimeter for next year even, that is HUGE. With Blake gone, who says a 6-11 guy can't be one of our good shooters? If he can hover around 30% or 40% 3 point shooting. I will take it. Not quite great numbers, but it will really clear the lane for Trevor and Colt when he steps out there.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I don't think he has to develop the 3-point shot. Just being able to make the mid range shot creates disadvantages for the defense.

 

[sal]

Ralph has taken some confident looking 15 footers and that is a good thing. This team needs someone to hit a jump shot at times and Ralph is not our worst option. The odd three pointer in rhythm and not a "dare shot" is not the worst either.

 

[Facts34]

I know others criticize him for it, but I like that he is getting more confident and shooting more 3's. If he can become a solid 3 point shooter and quicker on the perimeter for next year even, that is HUGE. With Blake gone, who says a 6-11 guy can't be one of our good shooters? If he can hover around 30% or 40% 3 point shooting. I will take it. Not quite great numbers, but it will really clear the lane for Trevor and Colt when he steps out there.

So do you want him around 30% (not horrible, but I'd hate to have a 30% 3P shooter pulling the trigger too often) or 40% (which would be incredibly good - but is as about as likely as a statue of Clem Haskins being erected in front of The Barn).

Sorry, but you have no clue if you think Ralph has the ability to play on the perimeter (not just shoot, but do the umpteen other basketball skills that takes). Have you not watched him play for 2+ years? Sheesh.

 

[station19]

I don't think he has to develop the 3-point shot. Just being able to make the mid range shot creates disadvantages for the defense.

A 10-15 foot jump shot? I think that shot must have been banned. Does anyone shoot that any more?

 

[TruPhan]

If Ralph picks one thing to improve on over the summer, I hope it is developing 2 go to post moves. The sky hook is nice, but it is low % for him and it seems like he is timid to go to anything else (I hope he proves me wrong). I have to refrain from throwing things when I see him with one on one position in the post with a smaller player on his back and he doesn't even look to score half the time. A drop step would be a perfect and simple move for Ralph tp perfect.

That being said, he is one of the better big men (potentially) in the BT when his jumper is on. You can tell he has a smooth stroke and the ability to knock it down.

 

[zipsofakron]

If Ralph picks one thing to improve on over the summer, I hope it is developing 2 go to post moves. The sky hook is nice, but it is low % for him and it seems like he is timid to go to anything else (I hope he proves me wrong). I have to refrain from throwing things when I see him with one on one position in the post with a smaller player on his back and he doesn't even look to score half the time. A drop step would be a perfect and simple move for Ralph tp perfect.

That being said, he is one of the better big men (potentially) in the BT when his jumper is on. You can tell he has a smooth stroke and the ability to knock it down.

I think by now we know what we have with Ralph, and I think it's a little far-fetched to think that he'll develop one, let alone two, post moves. He's never really had a nose for grinding it out in the paint, and after over two and a half years we haven't seen much development in his post game.

At this point, I'd rather see him grow as passer and improve his jump shot. Having him out near the elbow frees up the low block for guys like Iverson and Mbakwe, who can clean up down there, and with teams having to respect his shot, opposing defenses will get stretched if their big has to come out near the three-point line to guard him. We saw a couple nice looks against Iowa, so you know his IQ is there. Building on skills he already has is the best option at this point.

 

[Minnesotagrizzly]

Wouldn't it be nice

To see Ralph use his size with authority. Did anyone see the Kansas/Baylor game the other night? The Morris twins and reserve Thomas Robinson made great use of their size with many dunks. This against a tall and long Baylor team. I would like to see my 6'10", 255 pound, center tear down a rim and get a crowd going.