Comments on: Ekpe Udoh Transfer Rumors

By: Michigantailgate.net » Blog Archive » Ekpe Udoh Transfer Rumors | UMHoops.com

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:43:37 +0000

[...] Ekpe Udoh Transfer Rumors | UMHoops.com The rumors are out there about a potential transfer (Ekpe Udoh) out of the UM program. I am holding out hope that this one doesnâ€™t happen because it would be one of those blows that sets the program back a year or two. There are premium outlets who are covering this story and I donâ€™t want to step on any toes but figured I had to address it with the rumors out there. If something happens it will happen sooner than later and of course this is one of those situations where hearing nothing is a good thing. When something starts to break, it will be here. [...]

By: Dylan

Dylan — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:23:33 +0000

Mbakwe definetely doesn’t strike me as a “Beilein fit” but he was a former Michigan recruit under Amaker.

I think Udoh made strides this year but he didn’t really start making strides in his development until later in the year.

By: RB

RB — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:55:30 +0000

Assuming Udoh is never going to be able to develope a post game due to his body frame, I think it’s in his best interest to stay here. If he can develope a quality outside shot to go with his shot blocking abilities, it would greatly improve his chances of a perfessional career.

By: BL11

BL11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:13:25 +0000

Former recruit Trevor Mbakwe is leaving Marquette. I wouldn’t think he would “fit the system” but he would be a possible quick fix if Udoh were to leave town. He’s got less height, possibly less OFF game, less defensive presence, but maybe stronger?

By: sid

sid — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:46:04 +0000

Would Udoh really get more playing time at any other D1 school than heâ€™s getting here? Seems unlikely, so Iâ€™m not sure why he would transfer â€“ unless there are non-bb reasons.

By: NVE

NVE — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:00:05 +0000

Nobody wants to see that guy go, and his contributions to the team have been very tangible.

I just don’t subscribe to the notion that losing Ekpe sets the entire program back. His absence would be felt significantly on the defensive end, but would not limit what we’re trying to install offensively. As far as intangibles, it’s also a bummer because he’s tight with our two best players and gives max effort every night.

Let’s hope this is all moot and he sticks around.

I think another reason the perceived blow would be bigger than the reality of it is our desire for positive news surrounding the hoops program. There’s been a heavy supply of negativity surrounding this team for 10 years now, and we desperately want the tide to change. This would be another negative for fans, rivals, etc. to dwell on.

By: Ky Fox

Ky Fox — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:11:24 +0000

i agree with dylan. Losing Udoh is a bigger hit than most think. Even though JB doesnt have his slew of players in here yet…I would think that a Udoh type player should be on the team at all times anyway. Once again i go back to looking like the badgers…we will have a bunch of lumbering centers and forwards joggging up and down the floor while teams like MSU, OSU, duke, and georgetown run up our backs! A guy like Udoh will at least sustain a team like that and prevent us from looking prehistoric! But….. we all shall see!

By: Dylan

Dylan — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:47:31 +0000

Ekpe was the 2nd highest rebounder, .4 rpg behind Peedi.

Ekpe was the 3rd leading scorer and while he has some offensive deficiencies I would never call him a liability. I feel that he can hit the mid range face up shot very well and that he could have been used better this year.

Ekpe led the Big Ten in blocked shots by a full block more than Koufas.

Ekpe played nearly 30 minutes a game and probably even more than that down the stretch. That shows that the coaches certainly aren’t comfortable with Gibson in there so much…

Shooting definetely killed us this year and of course improving that will make the team better. But I really don’t think turnovers were a huge problem besides a couple individual games. Michigan was 5th in turnover margin and only averaged 12.9 turnovers per game.

The defensive stats all across the board for the team were near the bottom of the barrel. Take Ekpe off the defense and it gets 10 times worse for next year. That’s a scary thought.

By: Ky Fox

Ky Fox — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:31:05 +0000

very good points! I just think Udoh would be that 1 glimpse of athletesiscm down low that i think we would need to be a complete and balanced team! I agree shooting the ball better and handling it better will really help us…im sure we will be better in those areas anyway, especially under Beilein! I also think that Udoh could be a saftey net if you will, while the offense comes around! You have to imagine that its going to take a little time for Novak and especially Douglass to adjust to the big ten! If he does leave i hope Cronin can step in and be better than advertised! I also agree that JB getting all his players in here will take some time…but lets hope we can win some games while were at it! And lets hope he finds some players that will be some sort of an impact!

By: UMbballDC

UMbballDC — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:38:52 +0000

I love Udoh, but I don’t think that it would be as huge a setback as some others seem to. As cwood said, us getting better next years is dependent on better shooting and fewer turnovers. While it would be nice to see Udoh get better as a shooter, he is not the guy we are depending on to improve in these areas.

While being one of our greatest assets on defense, he was also a liability on the offensive side of the ball and never a what I would call a great rebounder. So in the end I don’t like the idea of him leaving, it would not be such a huge loss in my mind. Gibson developing as a offensive player over the off season would cut into Udoh’s play time anyway.