I agree 1000%
Illini Basketball
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Epps is not a point gaurd, never was.
I think with Epps it's more that he didn't have the quickness and athleticism necessary to be serviceable on defense. I do think it's a big loss for us though, because it's likely that he will be more explosive as a 20-22 year old vs as an 18-19 year old and will improve his weaknesses enough so that he can do what he does best which is score.
Same happened with Podz. Watching some of his games this year it was clear he gained a step or two in his movement vs. the previous year and that makes a world of difference. Not saying Epps will be the next Podz, but if he gets more explosive it's going to really boost his already polished skillset a lot. Good luck to him.
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Anything that can be shared? It is just baffling. He won the starting role; practically forced his 5 star to quit. Handed the keys and is gone. I am dying to know what happened behind closed doors.
If the insiders are able to ask their sources if there is an iota of cat nip that can be shared as to what lead to this, I think it would make everyone on here a bit more….understanding?
Not knocking at all the explanation you gave of “teams didn’t vibe” but I think I need to know a bit more of the why. Otherwise, it just looks sooooooo bad on BU
Scroll up....
Yeah, read that after I posted. It does make me feel better, or well…not so !!!!!!. But it’s such a bummer
RJ now? lol, damn. Our anxiety-inducing topics (Brad, Epps, RJ) are just happening sequentially.
I never heard why the player from France left. Does anyone know?
He wanted immediate playing time, I believe.
Would love to know who writes these “dear john “ letters for these transfers. Goes on for three paragraphs saying how “great” everything and everyone was. The trainers, tutors, professors, coaches, and fans were the best. How his teammates were like family. But oh by the way in my best interest I’m the hell out of here.
You can’t force someone to stay…If a player or a coach wants to leave than so be it. They have dreams and goals like everyone else in this world. If they weren’t a good match and/or want out because of other reasons as well then that’s just the way it is. Good luck to Jayden. Hope he find what he’s looking for elsewhere and is successful.
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skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Good grief. Everyone that actually follows Illinois Basketball knows that if you can't/won't play defense, you aren't going to see the floor and/or hear about it from Brad non stop. The transfer trend I see is players that have no buy in. Every Other Play Guys.
Don't let the opposing guard going around you hit you in your a$$ on the way out.
But hey...Epps is leaving and our coach is an out of control foul mouthed rage monster that hates players that don't listen or play defense, puppies, baby seals, grandmothers, and OMG HE LIKES FRAN McCAFFERY!!!
This is all we should be talking about all day every day until the next transfer.
www.firebradunderwood.com/s
Don't let the opposing guard going around you hit you in your a$$ on the way out.
But hey...Epps is leaving and our coach is an out of control foul mouthed rage monster that hates players that don't listen or play defense, puppies, baby seals, grandmothers, and OMG HE LIKES FRAN McCAFFERY!!!
This is all we should be talking about all day every day until the next transfer.
www.firebradunderwood.com/s
The drama with this kid.(He loves it) Changes 10 times a day with him.
Remember that time Mike Tomlin said "we need volunteers, not hostages" (in reference to Leveon Bell) and got skewered for it?
Or alternatively, Marlo from the Wire "do it or don't but I got some place to be."
IMO that should be the approach moving forward, especially given the chemistry issues this year's team had. If RJ wants to be here great, if not fine, and in any event keep recruiting. I'd love to have RJ back but we need to get back to the Every Day Guys ethos. In addition to scouring the transfer portal, I'd love it if Brad can find another diamond in the rough freshman or two, the type who might need a year or two to seriously contribute, but who want to work and don't feel the need to be the centerpiece of the project.
Idk maybe I'm rambling here but cohesiveness is what was missing this year and it's gonna be a hard thing to get right moving forward in this new landscape.
its a damn shame that Jayden got thrown into the fire at 19 without the skills/maturity to
be successful.
be successful.
Ground hog day Indy?
So, regarding Epps….you’re saying it’s a private internal matter that you will not disclose on a public forum at this time?
Whatcha wanna bet someone is gonna try wording it differently to get you to slip and discuss a private internal matter accidentally?
Like:
Hey Indy, any insights as to the rationale behind Epps transferring?
Or:
I have have heard Epps was not happy with a few things here Indy…what have you been hearing?
Appreciate what insights you provide knowing full well you need to keep many things to yourself.
Appreciate you and the other primary insiders. (Indy, Louisville, 0440, DB11)
Have heard it was in regards to not being offered the same NIL as returning players... either way best of luck to him.
sacraig
- The desert
I could see something like this spiraling. We had an often sluggish offense and he was generally solid on that end. I could see a teenager feeling he wasn't getting getting the respect he felt he deserved for helping carry the team on offense if he was constantly getting chewed out for bad defense. I can also appreciate why you need to keep chewing a kid out for not performing on both ends.
That's all unfortunate.
I hate to see Epps go, but I am confident that this staff will find a just as capable or better replacement.
So you land a highly recruited guard prized for his shooting ability, one Underwood described variously as an outstanding shooter, elite scorer, as good as any freshman guard in the nation, etc., somebody who fills a critical need on the team but then you have to plug him in as your PG after your other top freshman guard recruit bails out on you. And he plays well, having few turnovers and solid scoring from beyond the arc and able to often drive inside to score as well.
Rather than value the kid for filling the toughest role on the team while having no experience as a PG and boosting his confidence, you focus on his defensive weaknesses and criticize him to the point where he feels unappreciated, that he's being treated unfairly and wants out?
While coaches can't control everything about a player, their job is to evaluate players accurately, both physically and mentally, to get the best from them. Underwood seems to have failed with Epps, who will likely have a very good collegiate career. Of the five high school guards who have left during the past two seasons, Epps may be the one we regret the most.
Why was Epps upset. He was the one kid I really wanted back. I love a bunch of the kids but Epps was my favorite.
Your experiment might have a modest issue with the control variables.
sacraig
- The desert
But why male models?
Amen, to that!!!
Your point is my criticism as well. He was unplayable late in the season because he was getting manhandled on the defensive side of the floor. He's probably a 6th man(instant offense kind of guy) on a good team, playing off the ball.
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