It has not been the easiest of years for San Diego State seniorforward Myron Epps.
That speaks volumes when you consider that in Epps’ first twoseasons at SDSU, his team had a combined record of 9-45.
Heading into this season, Epps had started 74 of the 82 games hehad played in an Aztec uniform. And for each of those three seasons,he was a fixture on the court, averaging 30.6 minutes a game, and afixture in the offense, averaging nine shot attempts per game.
For his first three seasons, Myron Epps was San Diego Statebasketball.
But that all changed this year as Epps starting spot was taken inthe eighth game of the season. Instead of seeing 30 minutes ofplaying time, Epps was getting 14 minutes a game — tops.
“It took a while to adjust to playing 15 minutes compared to 30last year,” Epps said.
Said SDSU head coach Steve Fisher: “(Epps) has had a veryemotional up-and-down season. He went from being a three-year starterto a reserve, and he had a hard time with it.”
So hard, in fact, that Epps served a one-game suspension earlierin the season after violating a team rule; he skipped a teampractice.
The 6-foot-6 forward did so after he didn’t play in the Aztecs’highest profile game in years, at Cameron Indoor Arena against thethen-No. 1 Duke Blue Devils.
“It was disappointing,” Epps said of the game. “It would bedisappointing to anyone. I’ve been here with this program through thetoughest times and Duke was one of the highest.
“I was excited to play but things didn’t work out. Life goes on.”
This isn’t the first time that Fisher and his staff have facedthis type of situation. During the 1991-92 season, Fisher’s MichiganWolverines recruited the greatest recruiting class ever, “The FabFive.”
Players who had been at UM ahead of the freshman, saw reducedplaying time and lost their starting roles. One of those starters,junior Michael Talley, became upset when he lost his job to RayJackson for a game against Northwestern.
The following day, Talley skipped practice and was given aone-game suspension.
According to Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Brian Dutcher,Talley never recovered.
Rather than give in, Epps served his suspension and continued totry and find a way to make an impact on the team.
“He has done the best he can handling not starting and scoring asmuch,” said Dutcher, noting Epps contributes in other ways.
Nowhere has his impact become more evident than during the team’srecent three-game winning streak — a winning streak defined by teamplay and strong defense as Epps has become a defensive stalwart.
“I’m really happy and proud of Myron,” Fisher said. “He hasrighted the ship. He is accepting anything we ask him to do and hehas been invaluable with his play the last few games especially atthe defensive end.”
Fisher pointed out that Epps is often given the role of shuttingdown the top perimeter player from the opposing team, a role he’srelished.
“I don’t think anyone can score on me in the conference,” Eppssaid. “If the coaches put me on a certain player and tell me not tolet him score, I feel I can do that.”
Just ask BYU’s top offensive threat, Travis Hansen (15.5 pointsper game). Hansen, was held in check by, among others, Epps,finishing with seven points on 2-of-6 shooting in SDSU’s 77-73 win.
“(Epps) said his defense is now what his offense used to be,”Fisher said. “Before he was the focus as the number one or two optionoffensively. Now, he’s the focus as the number one optiondefensively.”
But Fisher insisted that Epps’ terrific play hasn’t been limitedto the offensive end. In the team’s biggest win of the season, a roadvictory over Wyoming, Epps finished with three rebounds, but he alsokept other possessions alive.
“In the last two or three games, he’s maintained possession for usat critical stages,” Fisher said. “He couldn’t get to the ball, buthe’d tip it out to a teammate.”
Said Epps: “I’ve never seen a win like (Wyoming) since I’ve beenhere. I haven’t been caught up in being the sixth man. It’s fun to goplaces and see the fear in other teams … to go in and have a chanceto win.”
Epps and his teammates look to continue their winning streak whenthey travel to play UNLV Saturday at 7:35 p.m in Las Vegas.
