Sam M

[jasonpeoria911]

Sammy just 1 for 13 in his last 5 games played, 0 for 9 on 3's, 1 for 4 Free Throws, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 turnovers.

Illinois is 1-4 in the last 5 games Sammy played, with the lucky win tonight. Illinois was 3-0 in the 3 games Sammy sat out with his cortisone shot.

I think it's time to shut him down, he's a liability to the team and i'm not even an Illinois fan LOL.

Jason

[tornado]

I disagree -- the reason Weber plays Sammy 20-30 minutes per game is not for shooting - its for stability -- ballhandling, floor-leadership considering Sammy is generally on the floor with 2 sophs, a freshman or two, and/or maybe one junior..

In a sloppy game where everyone had turnovers - note Sammy had ZERO turnovers...and he helped force MSU's Keith Appling into 5 turnovers & 1-11 shooting

“Sammy gives us some stability,” Weber said"

http://www.sj-r.com/blogs/illinitalk/x739238926/Ball-bounces-Illini-way

[lefty]

I disagree -- the reason Weber plays Sammy 20-30 minutes per game is not for shooting - its for stability -- ballhandling, floor-leadership considering Sammy is generally on the floor with 2 sophs, a freshman or two, and/or maybe one junior..

In a sloppy game where everyone had turnovers - note Sammy had ZERO turnovers...and he helped force MSU's Keith Appling into 5 turnovers & 1-11 shooting

???Sammy gives us some stability,??? Weber said"
http://www.sj-r.com/blogs/illinitalk...ces-Illini-way

I don't know T.....I think Weber is about the only one that has any confidence in Sam....there definitely some boos when Sam went in for Abrams at the end of the game.....I saw Sam help out on one steal but he really didn't do much last night at all....

[FlyingSpaghettiMonster]

I don't know T.....I think Weber is about the only one that has any confidence in Sam....there definitely some boos when Sam went in for Abrams at the end of the game.....I saw Sam help out on one steal but he really didn't do much last night at all....

A lot of a the UoI fans that I know are not a fan of him at all. I've heard quite a few statements like "Why is SM even playing?"

[lefty]

A lot of a the UoI fans that I know are not a fan of him at all. I've heard quite a few statements like "Why is SM even playing?"

I think he helps them when he's healthy....but BW doesn't have a whole lot choice right now either.

[tornado]

... but he really didn't do much last night at all....

can you list the guys who did?? ..I'll even let you use the MSU guys to find someone who did much

[lefty]

can you list the guys who did?? ..I'll even let you use the MSU guys to find someone who did much

He didn't do much either way last night...good or bad...he didn't turn the ball over....had 1 assist,no points,rebounds etc....it's not like he made any glaring mistakes....but DJ, Henry,Abrams,and Paul at least came up with some big shots or rebounds at crucial times...

It's not a knock on Sam...I just think he's really limited on what he can contribute....I think Bruce uses him now to rest Abrams....and hopefully cut down on mistakes......he doesn't count on Sam to make a play IMO now with the bad ankles

[jasonpeoria911]

Lost in the Super Bowl shuffle was another Illini loss by 4 points at home against Northwestern. Once again, the bench scores no points (only 2 players), something like the 3rd time in last 5 or 6 games that the bench hasn't scored.

Sammy with 12 minutes played, 0 for 3 on all threes, an assist and 2 fouls. I'm not sure if he is hurting or what but he is just 1 for 14 in the last 5 games since returning from his cortisone shot. Also only 2 free throw attempts. I'm not sure Sammy had this bad of stretch when at BU even when his ankle was gimpy.

Illini 3-7 in the last 10 games Sammy has played, they went 3-0 in the 3 games Sammy sat out with his Cortisone shot. The 3-0 included the win over Ohio State and at Northwestern by a point.

Jason

[tornado]

nobody on Illinois played well but Sammy drew charges, played good defense, handled the ball well as usual, provided leadership on-court, and other than his 3 misses, his contributions didn't hurt the team at all and would be sorely appreciated here....

[AE Braves Fan]

Sammy also wasn't the PG with 2 crucial turnovers in the final 2 minutes, but the Sammy haters don't like to mention those things.

[lefty]

Sammy also wasn't the PG with 2 crucial turnovers in the final 2 minutes, but the Sammy haters don't like to mention those things.

I think there a couple of Sam haters,there are several Sam lovers, but the majority are Sam realists....what I've noticed with Sam the last several games is he really doesn't make many mistakes but he doesn't really make any plays either.....his ankles are such that it's hard for him to guard but he still brings some stability to the offense....it is what it is...nothing more, nothing less IMO

[Beninator]

I think there a couple of Sam haters,there are several Sam lovers, but the majority are Sam realists....what I've noticed with Sam the last several games is he really doesn't make many mistakes but he doesn't really make any plays either.....his ankles are such that it's hard for him to guard but he still brings some stability to the offense....it is what it is...nothing more, nothing less IMO

I agree with these statements Lefty. I am an Illini hater so I haven't watched too many of their games this year. I watched the game against Minnesota about a week ago. From what I saw in that game, I think that SM has lost a step or two as a result of his ankles.

[Boiler]

Another 17 totally empty minutes from Sammy tonight in yet another Illini loss.

This is becoming a broken record for him, unfortunately.

I'm sure this isn't how he envisioned the end of his basketball career playing out.

[AZ BU Fan]

I just hope SM doesn't end up screwing up his ankle(s) so much it comes back to haunt him in mid life or later....

I had several sports related knee injuries from my college days, and, in my late 50's really began to notice them....course treatment is much better these days and less invasive....but the wear and tear can still come back later in life and haunt people.

He has nothing left to prove...

[jasonpeoria911]

Yah it's kind of hard to win when your opponent is +23 on the Free Throws LOL. 42 attempts vs 15 for the Illini.

I didn't see the game but is Sam looking slow on those ankles? It's an extreme rarity for him to play 17 minutes and not get 1 shot off or even a Free Throw attempt. I know he's only hit 1 shot in his last 14 attempts so maybe Weber told him to not shoot at all LOL.

I still don't see the Illini as a tourney team. Probably goin to be NIT bound after a good start that went downhill when Sammy's ankles fired up.

Jason