Will playing center unleash STJ

[Galway Eagle]

So it's pretty much certain at this point that for the first half of the season Steve Taylor will be the center and I'm curious if any of you think that him being forced against all the giants on WI, OSU, whoever we play in the old spic classic etc will unleash him.  I'm biased because Lazar is my favorite MU player all time but it seemed like being thrown into that role unleashed him so why not STJ?

[wardle2wade]

I would like to see STJ to make the jump, but I don't think Lazar is the right comparison.  Lazar established himself as a 3-pt threat in his first couple years.

From three...
STJ - frosh 3-12, 8 mpg; soph 2-13, 10 mpg.
LH - frosh 10-48, 16 mpg; soph 41-91, 25 mpg.

[The Lens]

I have often wondered if putting Jamil in that 5 role (on defense, especially) would have helped him take that next step.   

[warriorchick]

So it's pretty much certain at this point that for the first half of the season Steve Taylor will be the center and I'm curious if any of you think that him being forced against all the giants on WI, OSU, whoever we play in the old spic classic etc will unleash him.  I'm biased because Lazar is my favorite MU player all time but it seemed like being thrown into that role unleashed him so why not STJ?

Boxer, I suggest you edit your original post.  Given that the tourney is in Florida, you are being disrespectful of their many senior citizens of Latin American origin.

[MarquetteDano]

Boxer, I suggest you edit your original post.  Given that the tourney is in Florida, you are being disrespectful of their many senior citizens of Latin American origin.

Well at least Latinos have a basketball tourney named after them!

[tower912]

I haven't seen anything out of STjr during his first two years that would indicate he is the type to compete his butt off in tight quarters against bigger players.   Hopefully, Wojo can get that out of him.

[Class71]

I have often wondered if putting Jamil in that 5 role (on defense, especially) would have helped him take that next step.   

Would not wonder too much. He was a very different player who either missed on tenasity or talent. I wish he had more tenasity but it was not meant to be at 3, 4 or 5. Think we all expected more but maybe we just expected more than he could deliver. I wish him well.

[HutchwasClutch]

I haven't seen anything out of STjr during his first two years that would indicate he is the type to compete his butt off in tight quarters against bigger players.   Hopefully, Wojo can get that out of him.

I don't know what you're basing that assessment off of exactly?  He was barely given more than spot duty under Buzz.  He looks like he has plenty of competitiveness about him to me in the small sample size we've seen thus far of him.   That assessment was true of Otule and Jamil, but not of Taylor that I've seen.

[HutchwasClutch]

He's going to average double digit points this year, book it.  He's going to have a ton of opportunities to shine this year on our guard oriented team.   He's a talented kid whose development was stifled by Buzz.  I really think the coaching change is going to make a world of difference.  By his comments after Buzz left, he obviously wasn't happy playing under him. 

[GGGG]

I'm not so sure about that.  The one thing that concerns me about STJ is a lack of fluidity to his game.  He's not a real athletic, graceful wing player.  Look more like an old school, undersized post player. 

[Wojo'sMojo]

I'm not so sure about that.  The one thing that concerns me about STJ is a lack of fluidity to his game.  He's not a real athletic, graceful wing player.  Look more like an old school, undersized post player. 

That's because he's not a wing player. Wasn't he always considered a PF?

[GGGG]

That's because he's not a wing player. Wasn't he always considered a PF?

Well, if you aren't a post, you are generally a wing in college basketball. 

[HutchwasClutch]

I'm not so sure about that.  The one thing that concerns me about STJ is a lack of fluidity to his game.  He's not a real athletic, graceful wing player.  Look more like an old school, undersized post player. 

He's not flashy, but very effective, and knows how to play.  Plus his skill level is plenty good.  I'm sure Georgetown will have him targeted on next year's scouting report after he lit them up in D.C.

[HutchwasClutch]

Well, if you aren't a post, you are generally a wing in college basketball. 

To me, he's a slightly undersized post at the college level.  I don't think he's a wing either.  He's not going to play on the perimeter, handle it out there, and guard those kind of players.

[real chili 83]

It's his junior year.  He will be bigger and stronger.

After last year's "leash", I think he is going to look forward to banging under the basket.  With Burton, we will be physical.

[GGGG]

To me, he's a slightly undersized post at the college level.  I don't think he's a wing either.  He's not going to play on the perimeter, handle it out there, and guard those kind of players.

OK, so we actually agree on his game.  We'll see.  I thought he was going to be more athletic coming in.  Maybe the injury from last year hampered him.

[HutchwasClutch]

OK, so we actually agree on his game.  We'll see.  I thought he was going to be more athletic coming in.  Maybe the injury from last year hampered him.

Buzz probably more than the knee is what hampered him. 

[GGGG]

Buzz probably more than the knee is what hampered him. 

I'm not sure about that.  He had some trouble moving on the defensive end of the floor.

[🏀]

I'm a little worried about all the Brain and Nerve Tonic he's been drinking.

[tower912]

I don't know what you're basing that assessment off of exactly?  He was barely given more than spot duty under Buzz.  He looks like he has plenty of competitiveness about him to me in the small sample size we've seen thus far of him.   That assessment was true of Otule and Jamil, but not of Taylor that I've seen.

Watching him when he did play.   I would say poor defender, but it is possible that he will be a better defender being a year older and in a different system.    Not a good scorer in traffic.   Better at getting his shot against zone than man.   His jumper was better as a freshman than as a sophomore.     Having said all of that, he is a year older, he is healed, he is under a new coach.   Perhaps he makes the leap.   I certainly hope so.   I'm just not convinced. 

[dgies9156]

One of the interesting assumptions about playing center is the concept that height matters. To some degree, on offense it can matter. But the ability to play center in college is the ability to position, block out and screen. Davante, with his two-inch vertical leap, showed how size and strength can sometimes be effective, even against taller competitors.

In the case of Steve Taylor, it is a real question of how physical he wants to be. Yes, some 7'3" geek probably will jam a ball or two down his throat, but the value Steve would bring to our team at center this fall is the ability to block out and potentially "screen open" lanes for our guards to penetrate. Stick his butt out and be an effective, legal road-block and position himself properly for rebounding and Steve will be fine.

I also doubt "half" our season will be gone by the time of first semester finals. And, if it is, the "half" that will be gone will include several cupcake games. Yes, I know Wisconsin will be in the first half and Becky needs to be vanquished but I think the first month of our season will be a fascinating learning experience, for Steve, our team and our fans.

[JTBMU7]

hoping they can be similar to Villanova last year, who really played 4 guards and a PF. THey only guy they had over 6'7" was Ochefu who wasnt really that good. alot of that depends on PG play and outside shooting but that small lineup worked pretty well for Nova last year (except against Creighton)...

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

hoping they can be similar to Villanova last year, who really played 4 guards and a PF. THey only guy they had over 6'7" was Ochefu who wasnt really that good. alot of that depends on PG play and outside shooting but that small lineup worked pretty well for Nova last year (except against Creighton)...

Ochefu was average last season, but I wouldn't sleep on him this year. Kid has legit size, strength and knows some moves in the post. Centers tend to make the biggest leap between sophomore and junior year. I think Ochefu could manage 10+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 1.5+ blocks a game next season. Villanova is gonna be really good this year.

[JTBMU7]

Ochefu was average last season, but I wouldn't sleep on him this year. Kid has legit size, strength and knows some moves in the post. Centers tend to make the biggest leap between sophomore and junior year. I think Ochefu could manage 10+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 1.5+ blocks a game next season. Villanova is gonna be really good this year.

yeah i would imagine he would improve as well and think he could be good. Nova should def be the league favorite. maybe we'll match up better with them this year being smaller and (hopefully) better from the outside.
if we dont make huge strides in 3pt shooting and scoring at PG, it's going to be a long year again. but i like our chances given the athletes we have...

[royceda5 9]

I have often wondered if putting Jamil in that 5 role (on defense, especially) would have helped him take that next step.   

Jamil is WAY too soft to play the five, or four