USF Athletics

Samuel Set for UConn Reunion on Wednesday Night

February 06, 2018

MATCHUP: USF (8-16, 1-10) at UConn (11-12, 4-6)
DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 7
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Storrs, Conn. | Gampel Pavilion
TV: ESPNU (Kevin Negandhi, Malcom Huckaby)
Radio: AM 820 | USF Bulls Unlimited (Jim Lighthall
Follow: Listen | Stats | Twitter
 
GAME NOTES
 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, FEB. 6, 2018 – Terrence Samuel's collegiate career will come full circle Wednesday night, when USF takes on UConn at Gampel Pavilion.

Back in the 2013-14, Samuel suited up for the Huskies in 30 games and did his best work as a freshman at the end of the season, helping to fuel UConn's NCAA tournament run to a national championship title.

"I look forward to seeing him again and giving him a big ol' hug," UConn head coach Kevin Ollie said.

Samuel transferred to Penn State after his sophomore season but Ollie still holds the graduate guard in high regard after playing a key role in what UConn accomplished during his freshman season. Against second-seeded Villanova, Samuel scored seven of his 11 points in the second half to help boost the Huskies to an upset victory and a trip to the Sweet 16.

"He played an important role in our championship," Ollie said. "That Villanova game is the one that really sticks out for me. He went 7-for-8 on the free throw line and played 21 minutes. That was a big-time opponent for us."

Samuel scored 10 more points in the next outing, an 81-76 win over Iowa State, and he averaged 11 minutes a game the rest of the way in UConn's journey to capturing the program's fourth national championship.

Samuel said he still reflects on his two-year run with UConn and he's embracing his trip back to Gampel Pavilion as a Bull.

"I'm just thinking about all the good times I had there in the past. I'm just looking forward to it," he said.

Much like his time at UConn, Samuel has been a valuable asset for USF, which continues to make progress in its rebuilding effort with new head coach Brian Gregory. Aside from averaging 7.7 points and 3.9 rebounds, Samuel has become a trusty defender for Gregory and a tremendous leader for USF's young squad that includes six underclassmen.

"(The grad transfers) wanted to try to at least be part of the building blocks for the future," Gregory said. "I think Terrence has done a great job of kind of being the lead guy in that."

Leading also includes setting a great example for younger Bulls off the court, where Samuel is pursuing a graduate's degree in global sustainability and entrepreneurship.

"I've just got to do a little bit of everything," Samuel said. "As an older guy, I have to lead the younger guys, be mature and show the younger guys the right things to do. Just lead them the right way for their futures."

Samuel hopes to help lead USF to a victory on Wednesday night while showing UConn fans he's still got it.

"He did a lot for us and did a lot for the program," Ollie said. "I know the fans are going to wish him the best of luck, but hopefully he doesn't have too good of a game against us."

Notable

• SIGNIFICANCE OF 9: With a victory over UConn, USF would reach nine wins this season, which would match the program's highest season total since 2014-15.
• DAVID IS GETTING IT DONE: The last time out, freshman David Collins (Youngstown, Ohio) posted his second straight double-digit scoring game after pouring in a career-high 21 points against Memphis on Jan. 31. Collins has started five straight games and during the span, he's averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per outing.
• SHARP SHOOTING: Since the start of league play, USF ranks second in The American in three-point field goal percentage (36.7). Wichita State is tops in the conference, shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc.
• BANKS' 1K CHASE: Graduate wing Payton Banks (Orange, Calif.) needs 59 more points to reach 1,000 in his career. Banks scored 684 points for Penn State before transferring to USF prior to this season.

 
About USF Men's Basketball
The USF men's basketball team is led by head coach Brian Gregory. On March 22, Gregory was introduced as the 10^th head coach in program history. He previously led programs at Georgia Tech (2011-16) and Dayton (2003-11). Gregory spent nearly a decade as an assistant coach under Michigan State's Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo and helped the Spartans win the 2000 NCAA National Championship. Gregory brings nearly 250 career head coaching wins and six postseason appearances, including the 2010 NIT Championship, to Tampa.

USF has retired three numbers in its 47-year history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30) and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids and appeared in the NIT eight times.

For tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.