During a five-game stretch in November, Gophers guard Taurus Samuels saw his playing time shrink to less than six minutes per game. But he remained ready to help the team when called upon.
After four consecutive losses, Samuels was part of a starting lineup change in the backcourt by Gophers coach Ben Johnson in mid-December. The results haven't immediately translated to a Big Ten win, but the impact of Samuels has been apparent.
No play was more critical than his game-tying three-pointer with 4.8 seconds left in regulation in last weekend's 81-79 overtime loss against Nebraska.
"No ego and an unbelievable team player," Johnson said. "Not a selfish bone in his body. He's in the young guys' ear every day in practice. Great teammate. He's like that backup quarterback; he knows at any moment I trust him."
The Gophers (6-8, 0-4 Big Ten), who play at Ohio State on Thursday, fell just short of picking up their first Big Ten win with losses to Wisconsin and Nebraska by a combined five points. Getting the most out of Samuels and the rest of the backcourt is a major factor moving forward.
"We're right there," said Samuels, who tied a season high with eight points vs. Nebraska. "We're not going to let the results waver our preparation, especially with a big game coming up."
Samuels, a 6-1 Oceanside, Calif., native, graduated from Dartmouth and joined the Gophers in August. He was known more for his scoring than facilitating in his senior year in the Ivy League while averaging 9.4 points and starting 23 games.
After being named a Gophers co-captain before the season, Samuels quickly found a role. He was the backup point guard behind Morehead State transfer Ta'Lon Cooper. Samuels' leadership would be key for freshman guards Jaden Henley and Braeden Carrington. Henley also started the first nine games alongside Cooper.
