Wayne Turner or Anthony Epps
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Epps. Turner was more flashy/fun to watch, but give me the guy who shot 40% from three in his UK career and posted a career 4 to 1 assist-to-turnover ration.
Turner was probably more talented but I’d take Epps. He was tough as nails and just a winner.
There's no way to make that choice without knowing what type of team surrounds them. If you need point guard scoring production, you go with Turner Burner. If you need someone to keep everyone happy and not make mistakes -- it's Epps all day.
But I'll go with Epps regardless. Solid.
But I'll go with Epps regardless. Solid.
Who are we putting around them? If it’s 4 superstars, give me Epps. If I need a point guard to lead the way on both defense and offense, give me Turner.
Epps all day.. also rolls a good blunt!!
I take either one of them in a second over the last three point guards Cal has put into fill the position.
Epps wasn't a winner? Marion County high school had never even been to the state tournament, much less won it until Anthony and his crew. I believe MC only made it to teh regional finals once in its history, way back in 75 I believe w/ the John Bell, Joey Mullins bunch.
Then he was the maestro on arguably the best UK championship team of my lifetime.
Not taking anything from Wayne, at all; just saying I can't see being a winner as the criteria that would edge out Epps.
Sorry... I think they were both great, but I would take Epps easily over Turner.
Tough call. I'll never forget Turner destroying Duke in the '98 Elite Eight game. That was an epic performance in an iconic game. However, I would pick Epps. Epps doesn't get enough credit for the '96 Championship, and Epps was a much better shooter. If I remember correctly, it was Epps that hit a last second three to send the '97 championship game into overtime.
Without Wayne Turner we don't won in 98 we lose to duke when we were down 17points ....he was a game changer Epps was a solid pg with the best team ever in college bb Wayne Turner was a vital piece to the 98 title! I would argue saul smith could have win with the 96 team!
Pitino actually tried starting Delk at the point guard at the start of the '96 season, but it didn't work. Somewhat ironically, it was Calipari's UMass team that exposed Pitino's mistake. Pirino made the mistake of using a better athlete in Delk instead of a true facilitator like Epps at the point. UMass beat that loaded '96 Kentucky team in the second game of the season, and Pitino realized he needed Delk at the shooting guard spot with Epps at the point. Epps was inserted into the starting lineup, and Kentucky started dominating. The Championship run included a revenge victory over UMass in the Final Four.
Boy, this is a tough one. Both were great. Turner better at getting to basket, Epps better outside shooter and maker. Both were great in the clutch.
Turner. He was more dominant defensively and could beat his defender off the dribble at will.
Friends wife is from Marion County and a big card fan. We used to give each other pretty gentle digs. But when Epps signed with us, and proceeded to embarass the dirty birds she got nasty. Hated Epps. Made me like him all the more. Anytime your rival hates a guy on your team, he's a winner.
Love and appreciate Turner, but I’d also take Epps no matter the other four on the team. Epps could score if needed and could play the entire game without thinking about shooting and lead us to a win. Big shoot maker and would get the guys motivated if needed. Can’t go wrong with either but that wasn’t the question. Epps, and by a pretty good margin. Say 65-35! Lol. Go Cats.
Epps!!! I’m actually a little surprised how much love y’all given Epps here! I was expecting to see a lot more ppl voting for Turner. I like a PG who can shoot the damn 3 when open and also who can knock down FTs with the game on the line! I like Turners game as well and I loved how he could penetrate and pull up but that form would make a man cringe 
! Both of those guys are perfect examples of good college players who just knows how to win! Turner had the record for career games played in at one time and didn’t even get in the 96 NC game. Epps was always my favorite PG til Ulis came along but that wasn’t the question I know. Epps had to work his *** off constantly with Pitino constantly trying to play ppl over him. Everyone always brings up the Delk situation In 96 at PG but **** the whole time Epps was at UK Pitino was trying to sit him down but Epps said you gonna play me MF 
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! Both of those guys are perfect examples of good college players who just knows how to win! Turner had the record for career games played in at one time and didn’t even get in the 96 NC game. Epps was always my favorite PG til Ulis came along but that wasn’t the question I know. Epps had to work his *** off constantly with Pitino constantly trying to play ppl over him. Everyone always brings up the Delk situation In 96 at PG but **** the whole time Epps was at UK Pitino was trying to sit him down but Epps said you gonna play me MF .
Depends on the makeup of the team. If it’s loaded and you need a heady no mistakes guard that can shoot you go Epps. If you need a talent who can drive by anyone you take Turner. Both were pure winners.
One of the harder questions to answer for player comps.
Ultimately I give the slightest of edges to Turner only because I absolutely do not think we win title in '98 without him driving bus.
There is a world where '96 team wins without Epps, albeit unlikely, that team was so talented it could have happened. '98 needed Turner and he rose to occassion vs Duke....without his efforts both offensively and defensively UK undoubtedly loses that game.
Epps is one of my all time favs:
°86% winner while here and started 67 games.
°Ridiculous AtoT line in NCAA tourney...93/20, 4.65to1. 7ppg, 2spg, 5apg, 3rpg
°NCAA Champ and one of the biggest "might have been" shots in program history vs Arizona.
°Two primary years as a starter, NC and RU. Epps was a cog to machine, stirred the drink and I've often wondered if '96 team wins title without the switch to him as PG early in season.
Wayne Turner, another one of my all time favs:
°89% winner while here and started 93 games.
°More than respectable 3to1 AtoT in NCAA tourney. 12ppg, 2 spg, 5.5apg, 3rpg
°2x NCAA Champ and spearheaded the comeback against Duke in '98, torching Wojo for 16pts and 8ast to just 1to.
°Two primary years as starter, NC and EE. Turner was more than a cog on both teams and his teams simply lacked the star power of UK teams in '97, '96 that Epps had the advantage of playing with.
Ultimately I give the slightest of edges to Turner only because I absolutely do not think we win title in '98 without him driving bus.
There is a world where '96 team wins without Epps, albeit unlikely, that team was so talented it could have happened. '98 needed Turner and he rose to occassion vs Duke....without his efforts both offensively and defensively UK undoubtedly loses that game.
Epps is one of my all time favs:
°86% winner while here and started 67 games.
°Ridiculous AtoT line in NCAA tourney...93/20, 4.65to1. 7ppg, 2spg, 5apg, 3rpg
°NCAA Champ and one of the biggest "might have been" shots in program history vs Arizona.
°Two primary years as a starter, NC and RU. Epps was a cog to machine, stirred the drink and I've often wondered if '96 team wins title without the switch to him as PG early in season.
Wayne Turner, another one of my all time favs:
°89% winner while here and started 93 games.
°More than respectable 3to1 AtoT in NCAA tourney. 12ppg, 2 spg, 5.5apg, 3rpg
°2x NCAA Champ and spearheaded the comeback against Duke in '98, torching Wojo for 16pts and 8ast to just 1to.
°Two primary years as starter, NC and EE. Turner was more than a cog on both teams and his teams simply lacked the star power of UK teams in '97, '96 that Epps had the advantage of playing with.
Turner was a career 49% shooter, 455/932. He was 32%, 38/119 3FG. He left a lot of points at the line as just 63% FT.
Epps was a career 41% shooter, 259/630. He was 40%, 69/148 3FG. He was a great FT shooter, 81%.
Two totally different players. Most of turners shots were inside foul line/elbow and he lit it up as a finisher, 51% inside arc compared to Epps, 43%.
Turner had about 300 more points and 50 less assists than Epps.
It is a tough call and I can see either answer honestly. Hard to argue either just saying Epps was surrounded with WAY more talent when he was starting PG.
Turner because you play to win the game. Give me the guy who had more NCAA tournament wins than anybody in school history until just recently.
Wayne Turner. The consummate PG and my favorite Wildcat of all time.
Not crazy at all...Epps is solidly a better PG.
- Epps was way better shooter in all phases (Epps was an amazing FT shooter nobody mentions)
- Epps was much better *** vs. to ratio. Better playmaker for others. Very stingy turning the ball over.
- Epps was as good steals and I'd rate overall defensively was equal to Turner
- Many argue Turner was an amazing scorer....but in the end, he was barely a higher scorer than Epps in the end.
- About the only stat Turner was superior was FG %...which Epps mainly shots 3's which pushed his percentage down.
In the end, both played with very talented teams. But as we've seen with Cal's team. Having a PG clank away from deep vs. one that is a very good shooter for sure opens up the lane as much as anything. Epps made teams pay when he wasn't guarded.....which I'd argue helped Walker, McCarty, Mercer, Anderson, Delk, etc...
- Epps
Sophmore 7 pts a game, 2 reb, 4 *** vs 1.8 TO, 1.4 steals on 41%FG, 40%3pt, 85%FT
Junior 7 pts a game, 3 reb, 5 *** vs 1.5 TO, 1.5 steals on 43%FG, 41%3pt, 82%FT.....NCAA TItle
Senior 9 pts a game, 3 reb, 5 *** vs 1.6 TO, 1.7 steals on 40%FG, 38%3pt, 83%FT....NCAA Runner up
- Turner
Sophmore 6 pts a game, 2.7 reb, 3 *** vs 1.8 TO, 2 steals on 48%FG, 27%3pt, 52%FT...NCAA Runner Up
Junior 9 pts a game, 3 reb, 4.4 *** vs 2.4 TO, 1.6 steals on 48%FG, 37%3pt, 62%FT.....NCAA Title
Senior 10pts a game, 3 reb, 4 *** vs 2.5 TO, 1.5 steals on 49%FG, 28%3pt, 68%FT..
Both of these guys were great point guards, and neither got the credit they deserved. Both had high basketball IQ’s and they almost always made the right decision. 2 of my all-time favorite UK point guards.
Epps. Love both, and both were winners but Epps the better PG IMO.
You are absolutely out of your mind if you think Epps was Turners equal in defense or making players better.
1. If Turner is a play maker beyond Epps...why did he average less assists per game every year?
2. Defense is such a subjective metric....but again...Epps steals were the same. On ball defense....Turner was a better athlete but Epps wasn't exactly Travis Ford out there.
I just think for college ball...shooting from your guards is very important in addition to ball handling and setting up others. I think fans get stuck on Turner was a 5* kid but Epps beat him out plain and simple the 2 years they played on same team for some reason.