Steve Taylor.....

[real chili 83]

......Played really, really well.  Was very tough on offense.

This team will be very, very good.

Needs to mature.  Needs to gel. 

I am very excited about this team.

[79Warrior]

......Played really, really well.  Was very tough on offense.

This team will be very, very good.

Needs to mature.  Needs to gel. 

I am very excited about this team.

Gotta wonder WTF Williams was thinking with ST last year.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Just watched the replay. Sandy Cohen will be something special as well. Gotta think he has the best chance to break McNeals scoring record just because he has a lit of opportunities to play the next 4 years.

[Ellisium]

Gotta wonder WTF Williams was thinking with ST last year.

The fact that Steve Taylor is a liability on defense plays much into Buzz's actions.  The same can be said for Juan Andersen's playing time during his tenure.  Both players were clueless on defense tonight.  Next time MU plays, watch Taylor by the basket on defense.  Several times he didn't help out against other players in the paint vs. Ohio St. and let his man abuse him in transition.  Sure, he looks solid on offense - minus the several times the ball was stripped/blocked, but he has a long way to go on defense.  The same goes for the whole team.  But hey...... that's youth.  If Taylor wants, he could be NBA material.  He's going to have to work very hard though.  Potential is definitely there.  Hopefully Wojo can guide him along. 

[wildbill sb]

The fact that Steve Taylor is a liability on defense plays much into Buzz's actions.  The same can be said for Juan Andersen's playing time during his tenure.  Both players were clueless on defense tonight.  Next time MU plays, watch Taylor by the basket on defense.  Several times he didn't help out against other players in the paint vs. Ohio St. and let his man abuse him in transition.  Sure, he looks solid on offense - minus the several times the ball was stripped/blocked, but he has a long way to go on defense.  The same goes for the whole team.  But hey...... that's youth.  If Taylor wants, he could be NBA material.  He's going to have to work very hard though.  Potential is definitely there.  Hopefully Wojo can guide him along. 

Bingo!  Give this man a cigar!

[RushmoreAcademy]

I think the improvement I'd like to see most for ST is finishing at the basket.  Easier said than done of course, but with our lack of size we need that big man ability even more.

[MarquetteDano]

Gotta wonder WTF Williams was thinking with ST last year.

Don't get me wrong, I had issues with some of Williams' decisions last year, but let's remember Taylor does well against zones like OSU employed last night.  Even under Buzz he had good games against zones.  Let's see how he plays against tough man-to-man defenses.

[GGGG]

Don't forget too that he was coming off the knee surgery last year...his lack of mobility was noticeable.

[We R Final Four]

STJR should have had 30. His production was more a statement of tOSU's zone problems than ST playing really, really well.

[🏀]

STJR should have had 30. His production was more a statement of tOSU's zone problems than ST playing really, really well.

+1.

Nothing more refreshing that being able to break a zone.

[Bricky]

STJR should have had 30. His production was more a statement of tOSU's zone problems than ST playing really, really well.

That and STjr is slow off the dribble. He's incredible when he takes the one step. As soon as he puts the ball on the floor he's flooded with defenders. He slows his trigger from half a second to nearly two seconds.

[Tums Festival]

Many are harping about Teve missing some bunnies early. It's safe to say he (and the team) were nervous and tight at the beginning of the game. He relaxed and adjusted and made his close shots as the game went on. Yes, defense needs work and they should improve as the season wears on and they become more used to Wojo's system. Everyone has to remember we're a short, inexperienced, undermanned team playing for a new coach in his first head coaching job. It's gonna take some time for everyone to learn as the season goes on.

[LAMUfan]

Great at breaking the zone; being in the right spot on offense, not so great when someone was guarding him, pretty bad on defense.  He is really important for this team and last night did not make me feel great about that.  I did like the team overall, just a tough game. 

[Henry Sugar]

The fact that Steve Taylor is a liability on defense plays much into Buzz's actions.  The same can be said for Juan Andersen's playing time during his tenure.  Both players were clueless on defense tonight.  Next time MU plays, watch Taylor by the basket on defense.  Several times he didn't help out against other players in the paint vs. Ohio St. and let his man abuse him in transition.  Sure, he looks solid on offense - minus the several times the ball was stripped/blocked, but he has a long way to go on defense.  The same goes for the whole team.  But hey...... that's youth.  If Taylor wants, he could be NBA material.  He's going to have to work very hard though.  Potential is definitely there.  Hopefully Wojo can guide him along. 

Great couple posts and I agree except for one point.

For all his harping, Buzz's defense was crap

[Lennys Tap]

Great couple posts and I agree except for one point.

For all his harping, Buzz's defense was crap

Henry - to my old eyes our defense in the second half looked like the worst I'd ever seen in 48 years of watching Marquette basketball. What do your numbers say? Thanks in advance.

[MUfan12]

Henry - to my old eyes our defense in the second half looked like the worst I'd ever seen in 48 years of watching Marquette basketball. What do your numbers say? Thanks in advance.

I don't know about the last 48 years, but it was their second worst since 2000. The worst? Home game against Creighton last year.

[Henry Sugar]

I posted the stats here

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=45290.0

Yeah, the defensive eFG% was crap last night. On the other hand, it's far too early to say that Wojo's defensive scheme is crap. I'm pretty comfortable saying that about Buzz.

[ATVSandKARATE]

I haven't seen so many underneath the basket, reverse layups since the mighty Ousmane Barro.

[bilsu]

He scored a lot of points against Ohio St, but I was not impressed with him. At least half of his points were uncontested as there was a whole in the middle of Ohio St. defense. When his shots were contested he generally missed the shots. There were at least two times he had the ball low and passed it out and the subsequent shots were missed. I think all of Ohio St.'s bigmen were more athletic than Taylor. Given the same opportunities last night Gardner would of scored 30 points.

[Texas Western]

He scored a lot of points against Ohio St, but I was not impressed with him. At least half of his points were uncontested as there was a whole in the middle of Ohio St. defense. When his shots were contested he generally missed the shots. There were at least two times he had the ball low and passed it out and the subsequent shots were missed. I think all of Ohio St.'s bigmen were more athletic than Taylor. Given the same opportunities last night Gardner would of scored 30 points.

I agree with you that given the same opportunities , Gardner would have scored 30. However, I think given the circumstances, STJr played very well. There is an incredible amount of pressure on him given our lack of size, throw in a hostile crowd and his own lack of playing experience, I think he did a good job.

[bilsu]

I think he did a good job, but I think posters are getting over excited about this game. The same for JJJ the last game, who has only put up big numbers against weak teams. The same for Juan who looked really good in an exhibition game agaisnt a division 2 team. There will be great games during the season by most of our players, but there is no player on this team that can do it night in and night out.

[GGGG]

If Taylor wants, he could be NBA material.  He's going to have to work very hard though.  Potential is definitely there.  Hopefully Wojo can guide him along. 

Steve Taylor's lack of athleticism means he isn't going to be in the NBA.  He is a below the basket throwback. 

[Texas Western]

I think he did a good job, but I think posters are getting over excited about this game. The same for JJJ the last game, who has only put up big numbers against weak teams. The same for Juan who looked really good in an exhibition game agaisnt a division 2 team. There will be great games during the season by most of our players, but there is no player on this team that can do it night in and night out.

Good point about consistency. I think there will be at least 5 and maybe 6 guys this year who reach the 20 point mark. I agree it won't be consistent though. That said there may be some big games where we can get 3 guys to be hot at the same time and we pull off an upset.

I think we are going to have learn how to play on the road . Are guys were visibly flustered.

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

STJR should have had 30. His production was more a statement of tOSU's zone problems than ST playing really, really well.

STJR shot under 40% last year albeit in limited time... But under 40% for a big guy is turrible.   He should've had close to 30. He's got a way to go especially on defense

[willie warrior]

Gotta wonder WTF Williams was thinking with ST last year.

Finding a golden parachute after he was shown the wall handwriting.

[Lennys Tap]

The fact that Steve Taylor is a liability on defense plays much into Buzz's actions.  The same can be said for Juan Andersen's playing time during his tenure.  Both players were clueless on defense tonight.  Next time MU plays, watch Taylor by the basket on defense.  Several times he didn't help out against other players in the paint vs. Ohio St. and let his man abuse him in transition.  Sure, he looks solid on offense - minus the several times the ball was stripped/blocked, but he has a long way to go on defense.  The same goes for the whole team.  But hey...... that's youth.  If Taylor wants, he could be NBA material.  He's going to have to work very hard though.  Potential is definitely there.  Hopefully Wojo can guide him along. 

Agree with everything except that Steve could be NBA material. He can't handle, shoot or guard the perimeter so playing the 3 (his natural NBA position) is out. He's intimidated into missing an inordinate number of inside shots at the college level so I can't see him at the 4 in the NBA. Before we talk NBA I'd like to see him become an above average high D1 college player - the potential is definitely there for that if he works very hard. Let's see him climb that mountain first.

[MU82]

I think he did a good job, but I think posters are getting over excited about this game. The same for JJJ the last game, who has only put up big numbers against weak teams. The same for Juan who looked really good in an exhibition game agaisnt a division 2 team. There will be great games during the season by most of our players, but there is no player on this team that can do it night in and night out.

Our team is coming off a poor season, we have a new coach, we have an eye on a new era starting next season.

Mostly, we are fans and we are desperately looking for reasons to be excited about this season. So yeah, the realist in me agrees with you but the fan in me wants more!

[dgies9156]

Agree with everything except that Steve could be NBA material. He can't handle, shoot or guard the perimeter so playing the 3 (his natural NBA position) is out. He's intimidated into missing an inordinate number of inside shots at the college level so I can't see him at the 4 in the NBA. Before we talk NBA I'd like to see him become an above average high D1 college player - the potential is definitely there for that if he works very hard. Let's see him climb that mountain first.

Give STjr a chance to grow. I want to see him grow and I think he has a lot of talent. He has a new coach who sees something in him.

I'm not sure what his top-out is. I'd like to think he might, just maybe, play beyond MU. We'll see.

[Ellisium]

Agree with everything except that Steve could be NBA material. He can't handle, shoot or guard the perimeter so playing the 3 (his natural NBA position) is out. He's intimidated into missing an inordinate number of inside shots at the college level so I can't see him at the 4 in the NBA. Before we talk NBA I'd like to see him become an above average high D1 college player - the potential is definitely there for that if he works very hard. Let's see him climb that mountain first.

I agree, which is why I said it would take a lot of hard work.  Wes Matthews wasn't NBA material during his sophomore season either, heck, he didn't even get drafted.  A lot can happen in 2.5 years.  Look at Jimmy Butler in his 3rd NBA season.  The guy is putting together a complete, all around game now as he's starting to shoot much better.  He's going to have a better pro career than college. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Steve is a stretch 4.

Problem is: MU has him playing 5, and Steve's not great at the stretch part (yet).

He does have really good hands, and decent footwork.

Needs more urgency and intensity on the defensive end.

I think the injury was a pretty big set-back, and his ceiling is still pretty high. Could be a really good college PF.

[Ellisium]

Steve is a stretch 4.

Problem is: MU has him playing 5, and Steve's not great at the stretch part (yet).

He does have really good hands, and decent footwork.

Needs more urgency and intensity on the defensive end.

I think the injury was a pretty big set-back, and his ceiling is still pretty high. Could be a really good college PF.

Part of the problem is that the opposing interior defense can focus on him entirely since there aren't any other threats inside.  But yes, he lacks any type of prowess on defense.  People wonder why he didn't play much last year and this is the reason why.  He gives up easy buckets to the opponent.  That was biggest red flag on him for me against OSU.  The team as a whole on defense must improve.  It will be interesting to see how they progress under Wojo.  Great coaches adjust to adversity.  Here's a chance for Wojo to show us what's he's got on this end of the coaching spectrum.

[GGGG]

Give STjr a chance to grow. I want to see him grow and I think he has a lot of talent. He has a new coach who sees something in him.

I'm not sure what his top-out is. I'd like to think he might, just maybe, play beyond MU. We'll see.

It's not a growth thing. It's an athleticism thing. Watch an NBA game and tell me what Taylor would do out there. I mean who is he going to guard?

Steve is one of those guys who can be a vet good college player, and could have a long career overseas, but NBA?  I can't see it.

[Ellisium]

It's not a growth thing. It's an athleticism thing. Watch an NBA game and tell me what Taylor would do out there. I mean who is he going to guard?

Steve is one of those guys who can be a vet good college player, and could have a long career overseas, but NBA?  I can't see it.

I was thinking more 12th man with majority of his playing career in NBDL......similar to Lazar Hayward or Jae Crowder. 

[MU82]

I was thinking more 12th man with majority of his playing career in NBDL......similar to Lazar Hayward or Jae Crowder. 

Given that Lazar and Jae were better college players than Taylor will ever be, this thinking of yours is flawed.

[brandx]

It's not a growth thing. It's an athleticism thing. Watch an NBA game and tell me what Taylor would do out there. I mean who is he going to guard?

Steve is one of those guys who can be a vet good college player, and could have a long career overseas, but NBA?  I can't see it.

Totally agree. In the NBA, you are what you can guard. Steve can't guard 3's in the NBA and 4's are too big and strong.