One of the best three-point shooters in all of college basketball plays for the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
Reilly’s Shooting Sparks a Quinnipiac Team on the Rise
The Bobcats have won three straight, including a road victory at Pittsburgh, and as they prepare for Tuesday night’s matchup against Central Florida, all eyes are on their red-hot freshman.
His name is Samson Reilly, and he is off to an incredible start from beyond the arc. Reilly delivered a breakout performance on November 19 against CCNY, scoring 29 points in 28 minutes while drilling nine of his 15 attempts from deep. The 6-foot-2 guard from Manchester, Connecticut, has quickly become one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in the nation.
A Torrid Early Season From Deep
Reilly is shooting 63 percent from three this season. While some might point to small sample size, his 27 attempts across six games tell a different story. Averaging nearly five attempts per game, the redshirt freshman is proving he can sustain this blistering pace.
Before sitting out last season, Reilly was a standout at East Catholic High School under his father, Luke Reilly Sr. He helped the Eagles win back-to-back Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference titles and finished his high school career with 61 wins in 69 games while shooting better than 40 percent from long range.
A Family Steeped in Basketball
Reilly’s background reads like a family tree built around the sport. His grandfather and uncle Gene were longtime successful coaches. His brother Luke plays at Florida Southern. His uncle Joe coaches at Wesleyan, and his cousin Joey plays at Sacred Heart. Basketball isn’t just in his life; it’s in his blood.
Early Season Battle Tests and Growth
Quinnipiac opened the season with a tough loss at St. John’s after allowing 104 points to Rick Pitino’s squad. Reilly, however, went a perfect three for three from downtown. Since then, the Bobcats have knocked off Central Connecticut State, earned a road win at Maine, and dominated CCNY behind Reilly’s offensive explosion.
After their trip to Orlando, the Bobcats return home to face Stonehill. Their non-conference schedule remains manageable before they dive into their pursuit of a MAAC title.
A MAAC Favorite With Bigger Goals
Coaches across the league have high expectations for Quinnipiac. In the preseason poll, the Bobcats earned eight first-place votes and topped the conference with 158 total points. Siena followed closely with 152, while Sacred Heart placed third with 140.
Reilly has become a vital weapon off the bench for a team positioned to control the MAAC. If he continues to shoot at this level, it will be increasingly difficult for head coach Tom Pecora to keep him out of the starting lineup. Pecora, now in his third season, has won 48 of his first 73 games and gone 30-10 in league play, collecting two regular season titles along the way.
The Pressure Ahead for Quinnipiac
Despite the strong regular-season success, the looming question is what happens when the 2026 MAAC Tournament begins. For Reilly, Pecora, and the entire program, the goal is clear. It’s March Madness or bust for a team that suddenly has a breakout star helping push those expectations even higher.