Steve Taylor, Jr. -- Am I Missing Something?

[jimmybutlerfanatic]

Break out first half vs Savannah ST: 19 min, 3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT, 4 Off, 6 Reb, 1 Stl, and 10 points.

Articles and comments from Buzz about how great he's going to be, etc.

Next game, 3 mins vs UW-GB and a goose egg across the board?!?! We couldn't find a few more minutes for him in THAT game?!

2 mins vs LSU and another goose egg across the board?!

Is he hurt? In the doghouse? Am I missing something??

Just seems strange he seems to have a breakout half vs Savannah ST and all lots of hype and then these minutes the last 2 games.

[RJax55]

Yes, what you're missing is that it came against Savannah State.

[Brewtown Andy]

Buzz said after the Savannah State game that Taylor was the only big man that seemed interested in playing hard in the first half.

Perhaps Buzz just has Otule & Gardner's attention now?

[Markusquette]

I am surprised he didn't see the court more in either game.  I will admit he seemed a bit slow getting back down court some possessions but at other times he did show some good hustle on the boards and scoring inside.  Must be something that we're not seeing.

[wojosdojo]

I am surprised he didn't see the court more in either game.  I will admit he seemed a bit slow getting back down court some possessions but at other times he did show some good hustle on the boards and scoring inside.  Must be something that we're not seeing.

One thing that's pretty hard to not see is that he's a freshman playing under Buzz. Their margin for error is close to none.

[keefe]

One thing that's pretty hard to not see is that he's a freshman playing under Buzz. Their margin for error is close to none.

Vander Blue??

[brewcity77]

Vander Blue??

People forget just how good Blue was at this point of his freshman year. He was averaging 10 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, and 1.8 spg, all while playing the best defense we've seen from a Buzz freshman. While his numbers fell off once the Big East season started, he earned his larger margin for error. Vander is the most ready-to-contribute freshman Buzz has had so far. But people only remember the massive fall-off he had in numbers after the DePaul game that year.

[GGGG]

People forget just how good Blue was at this point of his freshman year. He was averaging 10 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, and 1.8 spg, all while playing the best defense we've seen from a Buzz freshman. While his numbers fell off once the Big East season started, he earned his larger margin for error. Vander is the most ready-to-contribute freshman Buzz has had so far. But people only remember the massive fall-off he had in numbers after the DePaul game that year.

Also, there weren't many options at the guard position that year.  Taylor is behind a lot of wings right now.

[bilsu]

Mayo return will decrease his minutes. He is still learning to play defense,

[tower912]

He has shown great potential and I think he will be a stud.   Right now, he is not our best or second best option at the 4.   Like most freshmen under Buzz, he struggles with his defensive assignments, rotations, and helps.   If an injury were to occur to one of the other 4/5's on the team, I think he could contribute.   

[MU_LOL]

Yes, what you're missing is that it came against Savannah State.

Lol'd

[mu-rara]

Defense is what gets a freshman on the court.  Vander played it.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

People shouldn't expect frosh. to play and/or be overly effective.

That's rare.

Juan isn't putting up huge numbers this year, but he is light years ahead of where he was last year. Same will happen for Taylor.

[Goose]

I would give him a ton of minutes. This season is a struggle and playing him over CO is a wise move IMO. The kid has upside and why waste a year.

[keefe]

People shouldn't expect frosh. to play and/or be overly effective.

University of Kentucky Wildcats, 2011-2012 edition.

[GGGG]

University of Kentucky Wildcats, 2011-2012 edition.

This is a good analogy when MU gets one and done talent.  Otherwise not so much.

[Goose]

Game is changing and freshmen need to contribute quicker in today's game. If freshmen are limited and team lacks Sr. leadership you are looking at long season. I hope we see more playing time for the younger guys as move along.

[Marqevans]

He needs to hustle back on defense. Sometimes he plays like he bought a ticket.

[keefe]

This is a good analogy when MU gets one and done talent.  Otherwise not so much.

You miss the point. The comment was, "People shouldn't expect frosh. to play and/or be overly effective."

Fact is, freshmen can play and be effective. Very effective.

[GGGG]

You miss the point. The comment was, "People shouldn't expect frosh. to play and/or be overly effective."

Fact is, freshmen can play and be effective. Very effective.

I didn't miss anything.  The better the freshmen, the more they can be effective.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Game is changing and freshmen need to contribute quicker in today's game. If freshmen are limited and team lacks Sr. leadership you are looking at long season. I hope we see more playing time for the younger guys as move along.

How exactly is the game changing so that freshman need to contribute more quickly? 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

University of Kentucky Wildcats, 2011-2012 edition.

You forget the part of my post where I said that "It's rare"

[brewcity77]

How exactly is the game changing so that freshman need to contribute more quickly? 

+1

It's not. Players have been declaring for the draft early since at least the 1970s. Seniors are still valuable, building continuity in your program is still valuable, and correctly stocking classes in case of transfers and early entry is still important. There may be more transfers now, but that cuts both ways. Sure, Erik Williams and Jamail left, but Jamil Wilson and Trent Lockett transferred in, giving us the upperclassmen we need to keep ST Jr from having to contribute as a freshman.

My guess is Steve will play decent minutes on Saturday, then see relatively few minutes the rest of the year. I know what was said as he was coming in, but there simply isn't a need for him on the court game-in and game-out and he hasn't shown the consistency on the defensive end that got guys like Vander and Todd early minutes.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I agree with Goose.  I would play Taylor over Otule.  He is a very talented athlete who can contribute right away and will improve much faster if he gets playing time. 

[GGGG]

Otule is coming off a couple good defensive games.  Are you really going to have Taylor guard opposing centers?  Taylor is a freshman who is playing like one.  His time is the future...not now.