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.

[tower912]

Otule gives us a better chance of winning now.   Taylor will be very good in the future.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Don't agree with that.  Think you are underestimating Taylor.  Otule's play is not as good as last year. He's a liability on offense and has mishandled a lot of passes when he's in the post.  Taylor is much more athletic and plays a long 6"8". 

[bilsu]

Don't agree with that.  Think you are underestimating Taylor.  Otule's play is not as good as last year. He's a liability on offense and has mishandled a lot of passes when he's in the post.  Taylor is much more athletic and plays a long 6"8".  

I do not think Taylor would have had much success in trying to stop LSU's O'Bryant. Otule's size and strength bothered O'Bryant.

[tower912]

Don't agree with that.  Think you are underestimating Taylor.  Otule's play is not as good as last year. He's a liability on offense and has mishandled a lot of passes when he's in the post.  Taylor is much more athletic and plays a long 6"8". 

Otule has shone more touch than before.   His defense is not as good, as you can see his leg dragging a bit.   But it is still far better than Taylor's.    We must not be watching the same games.    Otule completely disrupted O'Bryant against LSU. 

[Brewtown Andy]

Otule's play is not as good as last year. 

He's actually playing, which is a marked improvement over last year.

[keefe]

Otule has shone more touch than before.   His defense is not as good, as you can see his leg dragging a bit.   But it is still far better than Taylor's.    We must not be watching the same games.    Otule completely disrupted O'Bryant against LSU. 

Otule did a great job on O'Bryant. He was a beast. Those two fought like gladiators throughout. It was a treat to watch that. Marquette hasn't had that presence since The Reaper.

[MU82]

As usual, the Otule detractors spend far too much time thinking about his limited offensive game. As several astute posters here stated, Otule had a nice defensive outing against a good offensive player Saturday. Without that D, we very well might have lost.

The Otule/Gardner rotation is a very effective one -- one I'm guessing many, many other coaches wish they had.

It always cracks me up when folks who watch games from afar think they know more about Buzz's players than the coach who sees them at practice every day.

[muwarrior69]

I like to see Jamal Furgeson get a little more time as well.

[bilsu]

I like to see Jamal Furgeson get a little more time as well.

+1

[brewcity77]

I like to see Jamal Furgeson get a little more time as well.

I'm sure you will, though probably not until next season.

[Goose]

Atl MU Warrior


IMO the game has changed due to the high level of AAU ball. Freshmen are better prepared today for all aspects of college life and basketball. The kids know how to travel, play against top competition and play a ton of games. I think having great seniors is luxury to some extent today. No problem with CO, just think Taylor has bright future and would like to see it begin sooner than later.

[GGGG]

But again, Taylor isn't a post.  Buzz rarely plays without a post.  It really isn't an "Otule or Taylor" question.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Atl MU Warrior

IMO the game has changed due to the high level of AAU ball. Freshmen are better prepared today for all aspects of college life and basketball. The kids know how to travel, play against top competition and play a ton of games. I think having great seniors is luxury to some extent today. No problem with CO, just think Taylor has bright future and would like to see it begin sooner than later.

Absolutely agree that Freshmen are more prepared for college and the rigors of being a student athlete. 

They are still freshmen, however, and unless they are coming into a situation where the upper classmen are either 1) devoid of talent or 2) gone early to the NBA they shouldn't get much PT.  Neither of these are the case for MU.

There is nothing wrong with freshmen primarily riding the pine, waiting for their turn.  It's the sign of a healthy program. 

[brewcity77]

IMO the game has changed due to the high level of AAU ball. Freshmen are better prepared today for all aspects of college life and basketball. The kids know how to travel, play against top competition and play a ton of games

And thus college seniors, who have been through the same AAU rigors and also 3+ years of college are even more prepared. Regardless of what today's freshmen are prepared for, today's seniors are more prepared.

[Stretchdeltsig]

... if they are good.  Otule after his injury last year is not very good.  Taylor is very good and is a far superior athlete.  We need him to play more for MU to win!

[MU82]

Otule's D on Saturday looked pretty darn good to me.

[jsglow]

Plus Chris seems to be getting stronger as the non-con season progresses.

[Nukem2]

Plus Chris seems to be getting stronger as the non-con season progresses.

Yes, Chris is getting stronger and better.  Big thing now is to increase his vertical game to where it was pre-injury.

[bilsu]

... if they are good.  Otule after his injury last year is not very good.  Taylor is very good and is a far superior athlete.  We need him to play more for MU to win!

Prior to Mayo coming back, I wanted Taylor to get more time at forward. Now with Mayo back, I see Blue eventually moving back to 3 and Taylor not getting many minutes.

[jsglow]

Prior to Mayo coming back, I wanted Taylor to get more time at forward. Now with Mayo back, I see Blue eventually moving back to 3 and Taylor not getting many minutes.

Agree.  Need to maximize Blue's minutes at the #3 as Todd progresses at the #2.  That'll limit Steve's minutes considerably as JWill and Juan soak up the #4. 

Moving Blue back to the #3 might just be the key to this year's success as he produces much better out of that position.  Todd gets one more game to get ready for 25+ minutes.  I'll expect to see his tongue dragging some on Saturday.  We'll need a solid contribution from him come next Tuesday.