• Welcome to BradleyFans.com! Visitors are welcome, but we encourage you to sign up and register as a member. It's free and takes only a few seconds. Just click on the link to Register at the top right of the page, and follow instructions. If you have any problems or questions, click on the link at the bottom right of the page to Contact Us.

big SM

J

jasonpeoria911

New member
I think with all of this seasons problems, big Sam needs a thread of his own. Only a rookie and getting thrown to the starting spot with only a few games under his belt, he looks as though hes been playing college ball for years. In the last 2 games, Sam has had a total of 5 minutes game time rest. In that time he's scored 21 points, 6 boards, 13 assists, 2 steals and a whopping ONE TURNOVER. I'm ecstatic knowing that the PG position won't be a problem in the next few years barring injury. Very rare to find a "Quarterback" this good for only a rookie. Yeah he's a little slow at times but he's a ROOKIE and is still learning the defensive sets and defending senior PG's.

Jason
 
I love watching this kid play...I'm so excited to see what he can develop into over the next 4 years. Tough...gutty...and talented...and showing so much already as a Freshman being thrown into a bad situation.
Having him and Andrew here as the foundation for this program over the 2 years after this one gives me some hope that we might have some success even after Crouch and Ruff are gone.
 
Just like to point out I said he'd be a major contributor this year and was fairly well attacked. I had questions about everyone but SM. Sorry for saying I told you so, but I just wanted to give all the Pre-Season and Early Season SM-Haters who said he shouldn't play this season, wouldn't turn into anything for 2-3 years, or the people who even a few games in said he was getting too much time. Pure and simple the kid's a gamer, his stat line may not always be amazing(though lately it's been pretty darn nice), but he does all the intangible things you need a guy to do. And several people questioned me when I said at some point he'd be an All-MVC'er...
 
My only beef with SamMan is that he might be setting the bar too high too soon! The way he's handled this team without Ruffin in the lineup is insane. Every time I see this kid he impresses me more and more. The 3-point play and 3-pointer that coulda/shoulda/woulda won the game were fantastic. And he plays with passion. I can't wait to see him down the road in a few years. Just look at his line tonight. That is scary good for a freshman ... playing a major role ... after being thrust into the starting lineup. I'm excited to see how much he'll improve from year to year, but I worry that people might begin to expect to much from him later in his career based on what he's done so far.
[FONT=courier new,courier]## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN[/FONT]
[FONT=courier new,courier]05 Maniscalco, Sam..... g 5-10 2-4 1-1 1 5 6 4 13 7 1 0 2 37[/FONT]
 
I'll eat some crow, and like I said I would be, I'm happy he is proving me a little wrong in some respects. I did agree that he would eventually get some all conference honors, I just did not place him as the same style of past pgs we have had; I think some folks were not around when we had those guys, so the reference fell flat. His turnovers are trending down and he is not pushing things as much. However, he worries me defensively when guarding the point. I just wish he had better speed--balanced with better ball control and passing on the offensive-side, and able to step up defensively on the point when left on a island. There are footwork and speed issues to overcome. He**, the way he is progressing, he may develop that by next week ;-) Overall, I wish some of that energy would rub off on some folks.
 
What impresses me the most is that he is a great guy off the court too. He lives in St. James next to me and is willing to talk about basketball or whatever whenever I see him walk by. Great player on the court and great guy off the court.
 
I think Sam is a great player. Like Coach Les said, he's no freshman anymore.

I just hope that with the team losing games, he doesn't lose his energy and fire.
 
SM is great. The guy is going to fun to watch for the next three years.

Too bad JL doesn't have four more of him because then he would have a complete starting lineup ;)
 
Dallas Brave said:
SM is great. The guy is going to fun to watch for the next three years.

Too bad JL doesn't have four more of him because then he would have a complete starting lineup ;)
Click to expand...

I thought I should come back and clarify this tongue-in-cheek comment lest it be misinterpreted as a slam on other players. I meant it as a joke on JL's aversion to giving minutes to anyone over 6' 8"
 
amckillip said:
Just like to point out I said he'd be a major contributor this year and was fairly well attacked. I had questions about everyone but SM. Sorry for saying I told you so, but I just wanted to give all the Pre-Season and Early Season SM-Haters who said he shouldn't play this season, wouldn't turn into anything for 2-3 years, or the people who even a few games in said he was getting too much time. Pure and simple the kid's a gamer, his stat line may not always be amazing(though lately it's been pretty darn nice), but he does all the intangible things you need a guy to do. And several people questioned me when I said at some point he'd be an All-MVC'er...
Click to expand...

I remember getting some flack as well. He is doing GREAT!
 
amckillip said:
Pure and simple the kid's a gamer, his stat line may not always be amazing(though lately it's been pretty darn nice), but he does all the intangible things you need a guy to do. And several people questioned me when I said at some point he'd be an All-MVC'er...
Click to expand...

SamM is also starting to be our clutch guy. That three dagger under pressure with time running out was just nasty good especially from a freshman.:cool:
 
DUBrave5 said:
What impresses me the most is that he is a great guy off the court too. He lives in St. James next to me and is willing to talk about basketball or whatever whenever I see him walk by. Great player on the court and great guy off the court.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Ran into him at one point this season, and he was so humble and willing to chat. Great kid.

Re. losing his fire: He strikes me as the type that once he steps on the floor, it's about competing and winning.
 
Sam demonstrated last night that TRUE LEADERSHIP is all about. Making big plays when your team needs it. It's not about being named a captain or being a senior. When things look bleak, hit a big shot, come up with a rebound, make a hustle play.

Sam's performance DESERVED a win last night and all the attention that would have gone along with it. :(
 
I think Sam has done a pretty darn good job so far this year. He seems to improve with each game, which is mostly what should be expected of a freshman.

However, I think it's fair to say that many of us would agree that if we knew at the beginning that SM was going (actually, forced) to be playing 30 mins a game, we would be really concerned about the state of the team. I don't think it was in the cards for him to be getting as many minutes this fast.
 
BU ICEMAN said:
However, I think it's fair to say that many of us would agree that if we knew at the beginning that SM was going (actually, forced) to be playing 30 mins a game, we would be really concerned about the state of the team. I don't think it was in the cards for him to be getting as many minutes this fast.
Click to expand...

Very true, but at least we know now that for the next three years, we have a guard that we can rely on who has significant game experience and has done well.
 
I'm willing to eat some crow! I thought if he avg. 5 pts, 2-3 assists with 6 minutes of play a game it would have been a good year for him. SM has exceeded my expectation. I wonder though how much playing time he would have had with a healty DR. Now even when DR comes back he should be playing big minutes.

I hope AW can feed off some that energy SM brings. Next year looks pretty good for our back court. SM - 1, AW - 2, TW - 3, RA - 4, ?? - 5.
 
SanFranciscoPete said:
I'm willing to eat some crow! I thought if he avg. 5 pts, 2-3 assists with 6 minutes of play a game it would have been a good year for him. SM has exceeded my expectation. I wonder though how much playing time he would have had with a healty DR. Now even when DR comes back he should be playing big minutes.

I hope AW can feed off some that energy SM brings. Next year looks pretty good for our back court. SM - 1, AW - 2, TW - 3, RA - 4, ?? - 5.
Click to expand...



#5? Does Frankie Sylvester have any eligibility left?
 
All offseason we talked about looking for the next 'Will Franklin' - The guy that had ice water in his veins, who had the b@lls to take 'the shot' and make 'the shot', who could play the 1 or the 2, who isn't afraid anything, etc. Well, that guy is Sam. I said last year I thought he reminded me of Will Franklin, and he does even more today. He's a leader on a team that sorely needs one. Unfortunately, usually a team that has a true freshman as the true leader isn't a very good one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top