I love this discussion. In my opinion Sampson does have a chance to start, but it would be over Blakeney before it would be over Hornsby. JJ did that a game ago in Australia. As has been said, Hornsby just gives too much on both ends, not to mention leadership to not start. But, Sampson has surprised a lot of people but having a chance to watch this kid up close for a couple years, I am not. He is so athletic and such a pure shooter. The only thing Blakeney has over him is the ranking. Sampson is taller, more athletic and a better shooter. Yes Blakeney is excellent and will be great for LSU. He will also be a 1st round pick next year. Not saying Blakeney is not that good or that Sampson is significantly better. Just saying I don't feel there should be an automatic given that Tone starts just because he comes in as the more heralded player. Brandon is underrated to me, due to playing in Baton Rouge and him being unselfish this year to give more exposure to some of the young players on Madison Prep's team. There were games that Brandon could have had 35 points easily, but all he did was pass the ball and play defense because the other kids were good enough to get the job done and he already had his scholarship offers. He knew they could win by him not being the scorer while letting the other guys shine.

Just go and check the box scores from all the games and check Sampson's shooting from deep. And I believe they are using the international 3 point line which is a foot deeper then college. Maybe I'm wrong, but either way he is shooting about 50%. This has always been a guard game in college, which is why Duke won, UConn has won and why LSU lost to NC State last year in the tournament. In my opinion LSU has the best guards in the country outside of maybe Kentucky. Gray, to me, has lost him time due to what Sampson and how good Patterson is as a shooter and defender. All in all, I think Malone starts until Victor is able to play. Although I have never seen Victor play to give an honest opinion, so I'm just going off of what I have seen people say. But I feel late in games or down the stretch, you will see Simmons as the lone big guy surrounded by 4 shooters(TQ, Hornsby, Tone and Sampson).