General, I hope you don't mind, but I'm borrowing your format for a post regarding Tyrese Samuel and some other SHU targets.
1. Canada eked out a win over Latvia 78-76. Tyrese Samuel led the way with 22 points, 17 rebs, 5 steals, and 3 assists. Other SHU targets: Karim Mane has 11 points, 10 rebs, and 5 assists, but seemed to be out of synch this game. He has a couple really nice passes and shots, but seemed to be forcing his shot rather than letting the game come to him. Matthew Moncrieffe Alexander didn't see the floor at all.
2. Tyrese Samuel is so, so, so, so, so long. Seton Hall hasn't had a wing with this kind of length since Eddie Griffin. Jay Bilas would gush over his wingspan. Due to this length, Samuel was able to pull down 17 rebounds, although that number is a little misleading. There were a number of boards that were either uncontested (Latvia didn't like putting rebounders on the foul line) or were put backs where Samuel and the Canadian team were playing volleyball off the backboard (Latvia didn't have a ton of size.) His hands were always in the passing lanes, and whenever he hedged on picks, or was part of a trap, it was a real issue for the other team. At times, Canada even had him in the center of the zone just because he could alter shots.
3. This may not make a ton of sense but there is no other way for me to describe it. Samuel does not have a quick first step, but he has a very long first step. Because of this he would get by his defender pretty easily because they needed 3-4 steps to keep up with his first 2 strides. With those first steps, he got into the lane relatively easily, with his outstretched arms making his shot very hard to block. I would've liked to see him finish more around the rim which leads me to my next point...
4. Samuel needs to go on the reverse Myles Powell plan and put on a little weight. I'm sure the SHU strength and conditioning program will help, but he was able to be pushed around by guys who were smaller than him. He will help contribute in the Big East this year, but will be limited when he goes up against players who are much stronger than him. We should consider him a 3 this season, and not a 4.
5. Defensively, he was fine. There were time that he either made the wrong read on who to guard, or just didn't close out hard on a shooter. I think throughout his playing days he has let his length allow him to be passive or apathetic on defense, but with some proper coaching, could be a menace for other teams.
6. One recruit that caught my eye was 2021 6'9" center Charle Bediako. He has already been offered by UConn, Rutgers, and VaTech, and that dude was everywhere on both ends of the court. He had 19 pts and 12 rebs, but his motor was always on. He reminded me of some of those Baylor centers from the past 5 years who have just been menaces to their opponents. He is currently ranked #62 for the class of 2021, and is a 4 star center than can help us transition off of Ro and Ike in a couple of years.
1. Canada eked out a win over Latvia 78-76. Tyrese Samuel led the way with 22 points, 17 rebs, 5 steals, and 3 assists. Other SHU targets: Karim Mane has 11 points, 10 rebs, and 5 assists, but seemed to be out of synch this game. He has a couple really nice passes and shots, but seemed to be forcing his shot rather than letting the game come to him. Matthew Moncrieffe Alexander didn't see the floor at all.
2. Tyrese Samuel is so, so, so, so, so long. Seton Hall hasn't had a wing with this kind of length since Eddie Griffin. Jay Bilas would gush over his wingspan. Due to this length, Samuel was able to pull down 17 rebounds, although that number is a little misleading. There were a number of boards that were either uncontested (Latvia didn't like putting rebounders on the foul line) or were put backs where Samuel and the Canadian team were playing volleyball off the backboard (Latvia didn't have a ton of size.) His hands were always in the passing lanes, and whenever he hedged on picks, or was part of a trap, it was a real issue for the other team. At times, Canada even had him in the center of the zone just because he could alter shots.
3. This may not make a ton of sense but there is no other way for me to describe it. Samuel does not have a quick first step, but he has a very long first step. Because of this he would get by his defender pretty easily because they needed 3-4 steps to keep up with his first 2 strides. With those first steps, he got into the lane relatively easily, with his outstretched arms making his shot very hard to block. I would've liked to see him finish more around the rim which leads me to my next point...
4. Samuel needs to go on the reverse Myles Powell plan and put on a little weight. I'm sure the SHU strength and conditioning program will help, but he was able to be pushed around by guys who were smaller than him. He will help contribute in the Big East this year, but will be limited when he goes up against players who are much stronger than him. We should consider him a 3 this season, and not a 4.
5. Defensively, he was fine. There were time that he either made the wrong read on who to guard, or just didn't close out hard on a shooter. I think throughout his playing days he has let his length allow him to be passive or apathetic on defense, but with some proper coaching, could be a menace for other teams.
6. One recruit that caught my eye was 2021 6'9" center Charle Bediako. He has already been offered by UConn, Rutgers, and VaTech, and that dude was everywhere on both ends of the court. He had 19 pts and 12 rebs, but his motor was always on. He reminded me of some of those Baylor centers from the past 5 years who have just been menaces to their opponents. He is currently ranked #62 for the class of 2021, and is a 4 star center than can help us transition off of Ro and Ike in a couple of years.
