Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/752868
POINT MEN Tony Carr and Terrence Samuel team up to create depth in backcourt ony Carr didn't take much time to make an impact with the Nittany Lions. The true freshman from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia en- rolled at Penn State at the end of June. Before the season began in November, he had already been named the team's start- ing point guard. Head coach Patrick Chambers said Carr's performance through preseason practice was enough to warrant the starting job. "He's playing very well," Chambers said. "This kid has earned the right to hear his name called out. "He went out and he earned it. We just felt like he had a good command of the of- fense. His turnovers are down, he really sees the floor, he makes everyone around him a little bit better." Chambers' decision mostly came down to Carr and Terrence Samuel, the latter a transfer from Connecticut who sat out last season due to NCAA rules. Samuel is now eligible for action, and Chambers liked the lift that he gave the Lions com- ing off the bench in preseason scrim- mages. Eager to find the right mixture of play- ers, Chambers also considered last year's starting point guard, Shep Garner, for the job. Happy with Carr's performance through the preseason, Chambers de- cided the true freshman's attributes fit nicely with Garner's at the shooting guard position to open games, while Samuel's toughness and energy brought a needed spark. Either way, Chambers said, the position doesn't fall off in skill or talent regardless of who is in the game. "They both bring great point guard skills. Tony's got great pace about him. Terrence is a guy who is a little bit of a wily veteran who is tough as nails and is T | M E N ' S B A S K E T B A L L GUARDED OPTIMISM Carr (left) and Samuel (right) will be the the Nittany Lions' two main point guards this season. Last season's primary point guard, Shep Garner, may also see minutes at the position. Photos by Mark Selders/ Penn State Athletics