Jacob Epperson

[*Shockerrr*]

Hopefully this game shows he would be wasting his time if he was to sign with Illinois lol. I knew ILL/Groce was visiting LaLa at the start of year to recruit the kid.
Does Purdue have a stiff chance at this kid??

 

[BoilerInChiTown]

I'm not so worry about Illinois, but more so UNC, MSU, UCLA etc. Epperson would be nice get, but we desperately need a bruiser/rebounder after Biggie depart.

 

[nagemj02]

I saw Epperson in one of those nationally-televised HS games at New Castle about a month ago. It was just one game but I was not impressed with him. The staff's going to do what they want to do but if I had a say, I would look elsewhere to find a big/lengthy frontcourt shot-blocker for next season.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

speaking of Groce...I had a hard time seeing anything of substance from him as a coach. I honestly see him as a less talented Tom Crean. Can recruit but has zero game-planning and is an absolute tool on the sideline (and that is disrespecting my socket wrench I used this morning).

It was glaringly obvious early on that Purdue had shored up their liability against the high on ball screen and Groce made no adjustments at all. Their offense quickly appeared to devolve to minor chaos and one on one. Their defensive game plan was also laughable as well as leaving Haas and Biggie in a one on one matchup...even with a good talent like Maverick, was a bad idea. The only tangible adjustment I saw was Illinois switching to a 2-3 zone...which Purdue quickly ran them out of through ball movement and patience to find good shots.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

speaking of Groce...I had a hard time seeing anything of substance from him as a coach. I honestly see him as a less talented Tom Crean. Can recruit but has zero game-planning and is an absolute tool on the sideline (and that is disrespecting my socket wrench I used this morning).

It was glaringly obvious early on that Purdue had shored up their liability against the high on ball screen and Groce made no adjustments at all. Their offense quickly appeared to devolve to minor chaos and one on one. Their defensive game plan was also laughable as well as leaving Haas and Biggie in a one on one matchup...even with a good talent like Maverick, was a bad idea. The only tangible adjustment I saw was Illinois switching to a 2-3 zone...which Purdue quickly ran them out of through ball movement and patience to find good shots.

Crispy, Deon Thomas, and Jess Settles (those last two in the studio) were all over Illinois' defensive liabilities and lack of commitment (and problems with their zone attempts) with Thomas stating it's been a problem all year. Groce has put together some talent, but they don't seem to play/act like a really cohesive team for any consistent stretches from what I have seen. I thought Groce would have had more success up to this point....has had some tough luck with injuries, too, but from an outsider perspective.....would think most Illini followers are disappointed with the program these days. They do have a nice class coming in next year from what I understand, and some are still projecting they could be a "bubble" team this year.

 

[Cevol03]

where is Combes these days?

 

[PurdueDave]

I saw Epperson in one of those nationally-televised HS games at New Castle about a month ago. It was just one game but I was not impressed with him. The staff's going to do what they want to do but if I had a say, I would look elsewhere to find a big/lengthy frontcourt shot-blocker for next season.

I watched another game against a California team that they lost and thought the same thing....Nothing impressive. Maybe he gets lost in the mix with all the other talent around him? I'm hoping Biggie comes back and it won't matter.

 

[mathboy]

Well IU class next year doesn't matter. You all know that the future belongs to iowa! Smirk.

 

[nagemj02]

I watched another game against a California team that they lost and thought the same thing....Nothing impressive. Maybe he gets lost in the mix with all the other talent around him? I'm hoping Biggie comes back and it won't matter.

Or they can just recruit some other guys in case Swanigan leaves after the season.

 

[TX4GB]

Maybe wait to see what happens with 5th year transfers or other high school risers in the spring. If Haas leaves then definitely try to get Epperson. How does Epperson compare to 7'2" Adam Trapp who we are targeting for 2018? I like the idea of having a couple 7'2" players with Haarms and Trapp.

 

[nagemj02]

Maybe wait to see what happens with 5th year transfers or other high school risers in the spring. If Haas leaves then definitely try to get Epperson. How does Epperson compare to 7'2" Adam Trapp who we are targeting for 2018? I like the idea of having a couple 7'2" players with Haarms and Trapp.

I don't think Haas will be leaving. He's said before that he wants to get his degree and he seems to like college life and being the big man on campus. Swanigan and Smotherman are really the only two scholarship players that might leave (before their eligibility is exhausted) after the season.

 

[SIBoiler2]

Don't see Haas leaving before his 4 years are up.