I can't imagine that spending your Senior year playing at IUPUI is better than working hard on your decision making and shooting. You can be a real big time contributor on a good team if you apply yourself. Best case scenario at IUPUI is to start on a mediocre team. Future prospects and degree value should factor into your decision. I would suggest seeking counsel with Bryson as I hear he is not happy with his decision to cut and run to IPFW, another dead end destination.
Come on Kendall...
- Thread starter Bigohh
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I want Kendall to return. If he doesn't though I think it would be awesome for him to suit up with Bryson at IPFW.
As far as men's hoops, IPFW has been to the Summit title game and semi-finals game the past couple of seasons, so they're close to breaking through to the Big Dance. Bryson can help them if he improves his jumper and the timing of his passes because he has the quickness and athletic ability needed to make an impact.
Like everyone else, the sentimental part of me would like to see him suit up for the Boilers next year. However, I think it's pretty clear that the best thing for both parties here is for KS to move on. He could go to a situation without as much pressure and Purdue could try to fill the scholarship spot with an experienced player that could make a contribution on the court. I think if KS was ever going to push through some adversity and take the next step toward being the player everyone knows he can be, it would have happened before now. I wish him well, but I'm hoping Matt is well on his way to finding another player for the 2016 class.
For some reason, there have been a number of Purdue fans....and media.... who seem to have wanted to hand Stephens certain status without having him earn it and they have fought his way all the way down the depth chart and now seemingly off the team.
I support Stephens like I do any Purdue basketball player. I want him to succeed and help Purdue win. If I feel like the team is better with another player then I like to see the other player play. I think GBI set the bar too high and the sheep on KHC just fed on it. Same way they did with Etling in football two seasons ago. The fact is that Stephens just didn't improve enough since Dakota came on board and even his shooting has fallen off this past season. I'd have been all for Stephens sticking it out and working hard this offseason to try to earn his way back into the rotation but it seems he doesn't want to do that. That's fine. Not everyone has that motor to want it that badly. I'd just be surprised if he came back to Purdue at this point. Like someone else said, it's kind of hard to return after you've said you're looking for better situations. Either you're all in for your teammates or you're not.
I support Stephens like I do any Purdue basketball player. I want him to succeed and help Purdue win. If I feel like the team is better with another player then I like to see the other player play. I think GBI set the bar too high and the sheep on KHC just fed on it. Same way they did with Etling in football two seasons ago. The fact is that Stephens just didn't improve enough since Dakota came on board and even his shooting has fallen off this past season. I'd have been all for Stephens sticking it out and working hard this offseason to try to earn his way back into the rotation but it seems he doesn't want to do that. That's fine. Not everyone has that motor to want it that badly. I'd just be surprised if he came back to Purdue at this point. Like someone else said, it's kind of hard to return after you've said you're looking for better situations. Either you're all in for your teammates or you're not.
it's just foolish to think the boilers will get a transfer player anywhere near the player KS is.
Give me a break. If he was the savior you dolts are making him out to be, he wouldn't of been riding the pine nor when he got in bricking shots so terribly. I love these posts though because early in the season you experts did nothing but complain about him and now all of a sudden he is a 5 star stud that this team can't live without. The only thing foolish is you thinking you have any real basketball knowledge.
I don't think we'll be able to get a player anywhere near the player KS could/should have been...getting a player as good, or better, than he IS should be no problem.
I have 4 years of eligibility left, and I can make lazy passes like KS was want to do quite easily. His shooting, however, is much better than mine.
But I too, am tired of those who view KS through rose colored glasses of what he should be. The kid had a great shot, but only played like a 4 star player against lesser competition. During B1G season, his shooting % was not as good as during non-conference.
I think the weakness of his game was/is in his head, which has become obvious over the past 2 months of the season.
But I too, am tired of those who view KS through rose colored glasses of what he should be. The kid had a great shot, but only played like a 4 star player against lesser competition. During B1G season, his shooting % was not as good as during non-conference.
I think the weakness of his game was/is in his head, which has become obvious over the past 2 months of the season.
You obviously didn't watch him much this season because his passing was much improved. He often was the only guy that could get the ball in the post on a regular basis. A lot of times we wouldn't get the ball in the post until there was less than 10 seconds left on the shot clock. Kendall would get the ball in there real quick though. You can criticize his shooting but he was much improved as a passer.
You hit the situation right on the nail. Great way to express the missed potential and the reality of what we really have on the court with KS.
I think he could still come back and apply himself, and win a role off the bench. However, the wiliness to do that might be lacking. He will have a hard time pushing aside Mathias and Cline for that 2-spot. Nobody will be a bigger fan of him if he does pull that off.
No doubt there will be someone next year who will post one of the following fallacies:
- Painter "drove him off", or will even use the term "Creaned" incorrectly in reference
- "If only we still had KS" bullcrap, so we could have "hit that shot" at the end of the game
- Another "legacy player lost" BS, and site Robinson, & Harris in some sort of damning conspiracy
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I think Painter has given up on him. He would likely never even have a chance to get back in the rotation. I think he would be great for another program who valued him and had a functional offense. I hope he returns but Matt will give all of Rays minutes to Ryan and Dakota I bet. Kendall can stay if he wants but there's no reason IMO because Painter wouldn't even plug him in when Ray, Dakota, or Ryan got cold towards the end of the season. Plus the addition of Basil for next season will take bench minutes too.You hit the situation right on the nail. Great way to express the missed potential and the reality of what we really have on the court with KS.
I think he could still come back and apply himself, and win a role off the bench. However, the wiliness to do that might be lacking. He will have a hard time pushing aside Mathias and Cline for that 2-spot. Nobody will be a bigger fan of him if he does pull that off.
No doubt there will be someone next year who will post one of the following fallacies:
I will alway remember Stens' shot at the PSU game that started the resurgence of Purdue basketball. He could/should have been that player, but could not get there.
- Painter "drove him off", or will even use the term "Creaned" incorrectly in reference
- "If only we still had KS" bullstuff, so we could have "hit that shot" at the end of the game
- Another "legacy player lost" BS, and site Robinson, & Harris in some sort of damning conspiracy
I highly doubt Painter gave up on him. Otherwise why would the door be open for him to return? I get you don't like Painter, but come on... now you're just reaching.
Another gigantically stupid thread from you wannabe coaches. Seriously just stop posting.
You're the wanna be coach. I'm just posting what I observed last season. Our guard play was awful at the end of the year(other than Dakota) and Kendall couldn't get a minute. What makes you think Matt will give him an opportunity next year? With Basils return it will be even harder. We already have PJ or Carsen getting backup minutes at the one, Ryan likely at the two, Basil likely at four and possibly three, and Jacuil at the 5.
Unlike you, I know what I am talking about. Every time you post it is filled with clueless garbage and nothing more. Kendall has every opportunity to play if he puts in the work and he has a lot of work to put in because he currently is not better than Dakota or Cline. Period. End of story. Not debatable. He has the potential but has to put the effort off the court. He does that and he makes the starting lineup. It's not rocket science but apparently is too complex of a equation for you to comprehend. Which really says quite a bit about your level of basketball lack-of-knowledge.
I think you have not expressed the situation correctly. Your odd anti-Painter bias is showing.
I don't think Painter is the one who has given up. I think Stevens gave up when he was not willing or capable to excel in practice, when compared to his competition at the 2-guard spot. If Stevens had proven he could play in practices, he would be on the court. From everything I see and hear, Painter bases who plays by who practices, period. No strange "Likes" or "Dislikes". No favoratism. If a kid can do it in practice, he plays in the game. By the way, the assistant coaches play into this decision too. I doubt they have "given up" on Kendall also.
I am certain Painter has been fair and open with this kid. In his defense, Kendall went through some drama with his friend dieing. I think Painter and the whole team have been very supportive of him during this time. I see him on the bench, cheering on those who are playing, but in his shoes, I can understand him looking around. He might need a change in faces, and a little less competative situation where he can excel on his own.
But what you fail to see is that Dakota and Cline will be working that much more or harder than KS. KS hasn't improved at the level that Mathais has or what Cline appeared to be doing in season so what makes you think that after 3 years KS will suddenly become a player he simply hasn't shown to be previously?
Could Boilermagi be back with a new name? Does Pie really need to be this combative? Let's cool this down. No need to call names here.
I find it laughable, if not intellectually offensive, the notion that a coach with millions of dollars on the line would refuse to play a player who demonstrated day in day out he deserved those minutes.
Not to mention, CMP may not even have a job without KS heroics. I think everyone forgets how much on the razor's edge our season was a couple of years ago. If he went to IPFW they would probably beat us. Glad they aren't in the crossroad classic.
I think you misinterpreted my post. I'll clarify.. KS is not getting benched for any reason other than the fact that others are outplaying him. Painter and the coaching staff see them up close every single day (unlike any of us) and with millions of dollars on the line, are going to play the ones who give them the best chance at winning. There aren't any conspiracies or favorites here.
Those players helped us to a 1st round exit. We played pretty poorly when Kendall got benched for the first few games. It was more about his time off then better chance of winning.
Yep the PSU game was critical. I wish he would stay. I always thought if he had a dribble drive mid range game that it would have improved his 3pr and would have made him complete. Defense improved this year, decent rebounder and he surely could feed the post. 4 star Legacy transferring just stinks. I for sure thought he would graduate as a Boiler. Hopefully nobody gets injured next year and we start wishing he was still in the line up since he would be THE veteran on the team as a senior.
I don't know. Cline and Mathias won some games for us too. That KS was more effective as a Soph than a Junior says something about him. Hope he chooses to return, but I'm not buying any of the talk insinuating that he is being driven away.
How so? Kendall's stats this season...
Minutes per game: 14.2
FG%: .343
3pt%: .317
FT%: .600
Pts: 6.1
Not really sure this screams difference maker that was keeping a team's head above water. If anyone should be given that title, it should be Mathias.
KS had a ton of potential and up to this point...he hasn't reached it. I'm not sure another off-season was going to make any difference in that as the big jump typically happens between sophomore and junior years, It was apparent that Mathias was a better player early on in the season and Cline quickly showed he was a more reliable player overall on the floor than KS. Take off the rose colored glasses and see that KS would be a role player at best next season who would average about 10-15 minutes per game next season.
His niche as a shooter is hurt by the fact there are two better shooters who play better defense and make better decisions than he does on an overall basis. He can't play the PG position which places him at the 2 and 3 position for playing time, which places him in competition with Vince, Mathias, Cline, Smotherman, and even Carsen Edwards (who can and may play as a second PG on the floor in favorable matchups next season as he is known more as a shooter than his penetration in the lane). Where does his playing time come from when Vince will be playing 30-35 minutes a game next season and leaving Cline and Mathias to rotate at the 2 and Mathias/Smotherman rotating in at the 3 for Vince.
He is a good player who was recruited over because he had failed to improve to the necessary level to maintain his position on the floor.
i hope you feel better. LAST YEAR mr mensa. when he was making game saving 3s and bailing out cmp from another season in the basement.
I don't think that it's fair criticism to say that Kendall wasn't working hard on his game. I saw a lot of evidence on the court that Stephens worked hard to improve his game and I also heard Painter commend him on his work ethic several times. Take away his shooting slump and he was playing well in the first half of the year. His friend's death obviously affected him and shooting slumps are often mental and can be difficult to solve, especially when minutes are limited.
can you explain with examples since I fail to remember a time when KS was bailing out the team an entire season beyond I think the Florida game.
