Sam M

[tornado]

Drew Neitzel played Sammy while he was an All American and was held to 4-16 - wouldn't exactly say he dominated

[Bradleyguy10]

Drew Neitzel played Sammy while he was an All American and was held to 4-16 - wouldn't exactly say he dominated

I don't recall Sam playing defense on Neitzel that game.

Why is there this backlash at B4L he's not disregarding some of the comments he's just making a reasonable statement that SM has played against lesser competition throughout his career and that can't be disregarded when comparing the two. Also just because SM is playing for Illinois doesn't mean he's faced any better competition thus far that he hasn't faced while at Bradley..at this point he might as well still be on a midmajor team. When the B10 conference season starts then we'll see how he fares. He's not belittling Sam or denying that he's good. It's reasonable for the jury to still be out on Sam.

[Braves4Life]

Conversely, the MVC has gotten a few Big Ten transfers over the years, and none have ever excelled as much as they were expected to.

Here are just a few-

Rich Beyers (Illinois to ISU)
Kyle Wilson (Illinois to WSU)
Matt Moran (Northwestern to Bradley)
Terence Avery (Northwestern to Indiana State)

there are others, but nearly all have been forgettable.

I actually thought Kyle Wilson turned into a pretty decent player at WSU. Not great, but a decent and important part of that team.

[Braves4Life]

I don't recall Sam playing defense on Neitzel that game.

Statistically, Ruffin had a better game than Nietzel...... Nietzel's team won. Sammy was outplayed while he was in the game -- 2 assists/ 3 to's versus Nietzel's 5/1. In the only head to head game I'd say Sammy was dominated..... Ruffin was not. In other games against B10 teams SM didn't fare so well either; Facts are facts. We all love Sammy but please, let's stop manipulating numbers to prove a point that can't yet be made. Hopefully, after the Big 10 season starts, he'll prove that he belongs.

[AE Braves Fan]

Seriously? Why don't you ask Illinois fans if he has proven that he belongs. Or coach Weber. Or anyone who has ever watched a basketball game.

The veiled insults are beyond ridiculous at this point.

[Braves4Life]

SM obviously proved himself while at Bradley but has yet to do so as a Big 10 guard playing against B10 competition. That's all I said mixed in with favorable comments and compliments of what we already know about Sammy while at Bradley.

[AE Braves Fan]

You can threaten me, roll your eyes, and tell me I need "help" all you want - that doesn't take away from the fact that you've now gone very far out of your way to insult one of the all-time BU greats for no apparent reason.

[Braves4Life]

You can threaten me, roll your eyes, and tell me I need "help" all you want - that doesn't take away from the fact that you've now gone very far out of your way to insult one of the all-time BU greats for no apparent reason.

I love you man!

[Future Walk-On]

DOUBLE TECHINCAL ON BOTH OF YOU

[wily coyote]

DOUBLE TECHINCAL ON BOTH OF YOU

+1 Toss em both

[lefty]

After talking to one of the assistant coaches Sam brings leadership, steadiness,and toughness to the team. They limit his practice minutes because they do believe he's a valuable player for them....we'll see how it goes in the Big Ten grind

[Braves4Life]

Better?

[tornado]

Seriously? Why don't you ask Illinois fans if he has proven that he belongs. Or coach Weber. ...

In yesterday's game...again Sammy was instrumental...way more than the numbers and snippets indicate...
I realize it was Coppin State and that the final margin was 80-63...and that maybe they even can beat Coppin even without Sammy but...

Sam finishes with 12 pts on 5-9, and has FIVE assists and ZERO turnovers!
While he was in there - he guarded their PG who finished with just two assists

In the 1st half when Illinois was stalled and the game was tied 20-20, Sammy engineered a 4 minute stretch where he hit a 3, assisted on a Brandon Paul 3, then got a steal that led to a DJ Richardson bucket, then Sammy hit another bucket then assisted on Meyers Leonard dunk.
Thus in 4 minutes Sammy helped push the lead from 20-20 to 32-20!

Then twice early in the 2nd half when the lead dipped under double digits, Sammy's buckets and assists pushed the lead back out to 12-15 points.

Then one more last time - it got nervous as the lead shrunk to just 6 with 4:30 left, but a Sammy Manisclaco rebound, a bucket, and a couple of assists pushed the lead back out to 15 and the game was sealed.
So Sam came to the rescue every time the Illini got shaky.

[lefty]

Sam is instrumental but he's not the sole reason Illinois has won...he's important like Leonard,DJ, and Paul and the rest.....he's not superman

[Braves4Life]

...again Sammy was instrumental...I realize it was Coppin State ....
So Sam came to the rescue every time the Illini got shaky.

Exactly! Sammy did what Sammy does, he's a WINNER! He's performed great against that level of competition and the competition he faced while at Bradley. My point has always been let's wait and see how he performs over the course of a tough and grueling BIG 10 season before we crown him. Is that so difficult for some to understand? There's nothing "veiled" about it.... Come on, man.