No Stephens
- Thread starter atkinsbj
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I know this might not be popular, and I love the guy, but I would have no issue with Kendall running with some of Ray's 30 minutes.
Uh, work. I'm not interested in a posting hiatus bet. I have no problem with differences of opinion on this board.
With regards to Stephens' status of as right now and what we know about next season's roster, this is what I would project as the players with the most starts and the regular reserves among the scholarship players:
(numbers used to count the scholarships)
Most Starts:
1. PG Carsen Edwards 5'11 Fr. (hopefully he can handle some of the 1 duties at Purdue that he might not regularly handle in HS and per any HS-to-college transition, he can improve his D; offensively, I think he has all the tools to be a very good college player)
2. SG Dakota Mathias 6'4 Jr. (I know this surge he's had has only really been two games and that he's dealt w/injury and illness quite a bit in his two seasons, but I have to assume right now this spot is his as long as he is without the aforementioned issues.)
3. SF Vince Edwards 6'7/6'8 Jr. (It will help if he gets better with his defensive toughness and urgency, but like his brother Carsen (jk), he has all the tools as an offensive player.)
4. PF/C Biggie Swanigan 6'8/6'9 So.
5. C Isaac Haas 7'2 Jr.
Regular Reserves:
6. PG P.J. Thompson 5'9 Jr.
7. SG Ryan Cline 6'5 So.
8. SG/WG Kendall Stephens 6'6/6'7 Sr.
9. SF Basil Smotherman 6'6 Jr.
10. PF/C Jacquil Taylor 6'9/6'10 So. (hopefully he makes strides, stays injury free, and finally gets regular PT)
Others:
11. PG/SG Grant Weatherford 6'1 Fr. (unless he's as good and disruptive defensively as CMP thinks he can be, I don't forsee him playing regularly next season)
12. open: (I wouldn't mind seeing another athletic, all-around scorer/playmaker added to next season's team (will 6'4 CG JC POY Jaylen Barford decommit from Arkansas if Mike Anderson gets let go after another underwhelming season for them?)
13. open: (As well as an athletic, shot-blocking stretch 4 or 4/5 hybrid (tough to find, but maybe someone will fit that profile that's a graduate transfer).
Boiler Up
(numbers used to count the scholarships)
Most Starts:
1. PG Carsen Edwards 5'11 Fr. (hopefully he can handle some of the 1 duties at Purdue that he might not regularly handle in HS and per any HS-to-college transition, he can improve his D; offensively, I think he has all the tools to be a very good college player)
2. SG Dakota Mathias 6'4 Jr. (I know this surge he's had has only really been two games and that he's dealt w/injury and illness quite a bit in his two seasons, but I have to assume right now this spot is his as long as he is without the aforementioned issues.)
3. SF Vince Edwards 6'7/6'8 Jr. (It will help if he gets better with his defensive toughness and urgency, but like his brother Carsen (jk), he has all the tools as an offensive player.)
4. PF/C Biggie Swanigan 6'8/6'9 So.
5. C Isaac Haas 7'2 Jr.
Regular Reserves:
6. PG P.J. Thompson 5'9 Jr.
7. SG Ryan Cline 6'5 So.
8. SG/WG Kendall Stephens 6'6/6'7 Sr.
9. SF Basil Smotherman 6'6 Jr.
10. PF/C Jacquil Taylor 6'9/6'10 So. (hopefully he makes strides, stays injury free, and finally gets regular PT)
Others:
11. PG/SG Grant Weatherford 6'1 Fr. (unless he's as good and disruptive defensively as CMP thinks he can be, I don't forsee him playing regularly next season)
12. open: (I wouldn't mind seeing another athletic, all-around scorer/playmaker added to next season's team (will 6'4 CG JC POY Jaylen Barford decommit from Arkansas if Mike Anderson gets let go after another underwhelming season for them?)
13. open: (As well as an athletic, shot-blocking stretch 4 or 4/5 hybrid (tough to find, but maybe someone will fit that profile that's a graduate transfer).
Boiler Up
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The whole situation with KS is terrible. Feel awful for him. I really hope you stays in the Boiler family. Tough situation to be in for all parties. I can't tell you that I was and still am waiting(praying) there's a game left this season where he can find a chance to bust out hitting big shots! I love when I see him staying excited on the bench with the guys.
Hate me for it but I really don't think it hurts us if he goes. This is B1G basketball. Not the Tuesday night rec league. I am sorry his friend died, but honor him by playing. Not by bailing on you teammates. Izzo buried a parent and coached later that night. Not best case scenario, but gotta do what you gotta do.
So you are equating a 60 year old man losing his 90 year old father, who had been in failing health, with a college kid losing his best friend to a drug overdose? OK.
CMP has added senior graduate transfers three seasons in a row, so I would definitely consider that to be a possibility again this offseason. There's currently two open scholarships available for next season.
The majority of players who come to a Big Ten school plan (realistically or not) on playing in the NBA. I have to believe 100% that Stephens was and is that type of player. Seriously, didn't we all think (it was all over this board) that Stephens was a great NBA prospect (long and could really shoot it) and that he would be an All-Big Ten caliber player by his junior or senior year. Well, this year, even before the personal problem, he was a 2nd or 3rd string 2-man and 3-man. We can say all we want about him or his dad loving Purdue and Painter, but I have to believe he and dad are not happy with his minutes, once again, even before the personal situation. And I have to believe that dad loves his son more than he loves Purdue.
Logic demands me to believe he is transferring, like Bryson last year, and we have the same unrealistic people denying that it's gonna happen. That's why Martin transferred all those years ago: he wanted more shots. You're right, I don't know and it speculation, but I have to believe that Stephens is gone, and he's gonna go somewhere where he can get out in the open court and get 15 shots a game and showcase himself for the NBA. I also predict that he will be very successful next year in that open court situation with his offensive skill set.
I have no faith in betting on a forum board, but if I was working with some of you guys, talking around the water cooler (or whatever it is today), I would bet big bucks he is transferring and I would be willing to give odds.
Logic demands me to believe he is transferring, like Bryson last year, and we have the same unrealistic people denying that it's gonna happen. That's why Martin transferred all those years ago: he wanted more shots. You're right, I don't know and it speculation, but I have to believe that Stephens is gone, and he's gonna go somewhere where he can get out in the open court and get 15 shots a game and showcase himself for the NBA. I also predict that he will be very successful next year in that open court situation with his offensive skill set.
I have no faith in betting on a forum board, but if I was working with some of you guys, talking around the water cooler (or whatever it is today), I would bet big bucks he is transferring and I would be willing to give odds.
If he transfers he won't be successful doing anything next year because he will be sitting out. If he was a sophomore or younger, I would agree with you. But, unless he's graduating this year, it doesn't seem like a good option for him.
As far as on the court impact, we are losing 29 ppg to graduation, so I would think we want as many proven scoring options on board as possible.
If the goal is to showcase yourself for the NBA, what does sitting out a year really matter? Certainly it isn't fun, but it gives the player time to fit into that new system and be ready to be an offensive force when the new season starts; but whatever NBA prospect (Bryson Scott or Scott M, or whoever) needs to be on the floor and taking shots. If that means sitting out a year, the athlete/ prospect will do that. If you're Stephens, and you still plan on playing in the NBA, is it better for you to sit out a year and then get on the court full time for over 30 games and get to show what you've got; or, do you stay here and sit on the bench behind Cline and Mathias at 2 and Vince at 3. Now, I know you will say, "Work hard and earn a starting spot," but I am sure that Stephens believes 100% that he has been working hard and the coach/system just doesn't fit his skill set, for whatever reason.
Put me down as one who thinks he's done at Purdue. Frankly I think we're better without him. I had huge hopes for him coming out of highschool but he never developed into a consistent shooter. Sure he could go 5-8 of from three....but he's more likely to make his 1st one then shoot 5 bricks in a row.
People who say Kendall is going or they don't want him back are rude. Kendall may be reading these boards. I believe he loves his teammates but unfortunately it will be you classless fans that force him out of Purdue. For the love of god leave the kid alone.
Kendall is going to transfer because of a bunch of fat and lazy non athletes on a message board trash talk him?
Yes! Most good kids don't understand that most of the posters here are complete idiots when it comes to basketball. They feel that the posters are their fans who come out to support them. Posts can be very hurtful to a lot of kids. Posters need to think before they post.
Seriously? His 137 three-pointers through his sophomore season are the most in school history- in other words, no one has ever hit more 3s in their first 2 years at Purdue than Kendall. I think that qualifies him as a scoring option.
KS one of the guys that demand the opposition guard him. stop trashing the guy. he is a boilermaker and one of my favorite players. he will shine next season and maybe in the coming games yet this year
And he shot 37.7 % from 3pt land for his first two seasons! He has been in a slump for the last few games but in IMHO the rest of his game has improved this year and he could be an asset to this team. It is hard for me to understand how a true Boiler fan could bash a kid who grew up dreaming of being a Boilermaker and has shown great character on and off the court! I am hoping that Kendall and his family do not read this board or take it for what it's worth!
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I just don't see how KS is viewed as a just "in a slump" the last few games. He hasn't hit a shot in six weeks and has played 11 minutes. Prior to his leave, he was shooting 34% and 31% on 3s, which is his lowest for all 3 years. I am sure he is a great kid and tragedy impacts everyone differently, but I don't see how you can count on him being a leader next year if he returns. He could be a nice role player, but I think he is getting built up as a better player than he ever was. The team I root for is on the court and I don't think he adds anything at this time.
Dumbest post of the year. And there have been some really, really dumb posts.
yes....I am. Izzo had 60 plus years with his parent. Kendall had how many? I am just saying you gotta be tough. You don't take a 3-game break mid season break and expect to get the minutes you were getting before.
I just hope KS gets back on the floor soon and makes some contributions while gaining the confidence to come back and have a big senior season. Btfu!
Sorry you requested it. I hate you for it
All kidding aside, I would really like him to get things straightened out and stay. He seems like a really good kid. If things go another direction, I respect his decision. Onward, It's his call.
Maybe it's because of being spoiled with what we have now but I would really like us to pick up a JC/late signee big body to back up Haas. Haas' size limits his minutes with fatigue. We need someone to come in for 15 minutes a game. Taylor may be able to help some but he isn't a 5 (as I've been scolded for before). He also is still in the "I hope" mode with us.
As I've posted before I had a similar experience with my daughter when she was at Purdue, bher bff committed suicide..I worried about her for a couple of years...appreciate that Painter said he'd give him time, has left him on the team. He's also given him a few minutes of playing time. Hopefully next fall we'll get the old Kendall back, but now he probably needs time and a few prayers that he'll be able to put this behind him.
KS seems like a very good young man from a very good family. Hope whatever issues he has, that he can work through them. Everyone deals with loss in different ways. CMP knows the situation and we do not. I'm sure he is moving forward with the best intentions for both the team and KS. Tough spot for both coach and player.
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