I know there has been a lot of talk on this Board this season about the play of Steve Taylor Jr. Despite his flaws (foul shooting, turnover issues, etc), you cannot dispute the fact that for one season, he has had as good of year as any Power Forward has had in Rocket History. With our lack of inside presence other than Luke Knapke on occasion, we have relied on Taylor Jr. to be our only low post scorer and control the boards which he has done remarkably on a game by game basis. While it has not translated into a Winning Season, I do not think you can fault Taylor Jr. for that. Can anyone remember a Power Forward at Toledo or any other Team in the MAC that has been a "double, double" machine as much as Taylor Jr. has been this season?

I'd have to go all the way back to last year at UT to find one as good. I suppose we could argue that Booth played center, but his game was really more power forward. He did more things than Taylor (jump shooting, free throws, blocked shots) but prior to that it's hard to think of anyone else that has played that role as well. Mix comes to mind, another"post" player who really wasn't but that's way back. Taylor was definitely a pleasant surprise. As far as in the MAC, Gary Trent wasn't bad. Part of the problem is MAC definitions of PFs and post players differ from ACC or PAC10 or big ten definitions. Johnson is a true post player but was OU's guy who was POY last year? Thompson is a true post player and probably Mark but Boothe, the OU guy and some others were equally likely to step outside and hit a cutter or nail a three. We definitely were blessed with Taylor, though-no other one year guy has come close to his impact.

And just because other teams have found some effective ways to defend him lately doesn't take away from what he has contributed. If you think about, last season down the stretch, teams also did what they could to take Boothe out of his game.

Basketball players should make free throws period. I agree with his impact that it is mostly positive but 1 more free throw a game would have kept us out of those overtime games

(03-01-2017 01:04 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Basketball players should make free throws period. I agree with his impact that it is mostly positive but 1 more free throw a game would have kept us out of those overtime games

He looked like Calvin Murphy last night.

(03-01-2017 01:04 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Basketball players should make free throws period. I agree with his impact that it is mostly positive but 1 more free throw a game would have kept us out of those overtime games

I certainly appreciate Steve Taylor's contributions to the Toledo Rockets basketball program. Glad he decided to transfer here, he should have came to Toledo to begin with. He's proven his worth, no doubt...but I simply don't understand his horrendous free throw shooting.

(03-01-2017 05:56 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  

(03-01-2017 01:04 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Basketball players should make free throws period. I agree with his impact that it is mostly positive but 1 more free throw a game would have kept us out of those overtime games

I certainly appreciate Steve Taylor's contributions to the Toledo Rockets basketball program. Glad he decided to transfer here, he should have came to Toledo to begin with. He's proven his worth, no doubt...but I simply don't understand his horrendous free throw shooting.

Almost seems he'd be more accurate taking a jump shot than taking the flat footed free throw. Wonder why he doesn't try that.

My hat is off to Steve Taylor Jr.

I also wonder where the team would be with a healthy Garber. Two guys in the paint with some meat, and two seniors.

(03-01-2017 08:17 PM)adunifon Wrote:  

(03-01-2017 05:56 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  

(03-01-2017 01:04 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Basketball players should make free throws period. I agree with his impact that it is mostly positive but 1 more free throw a game would have kept us out of those overtime games

I certainly appreciate Steve Taylor's contributions to the Toledo Rockets basketball program. Glad he decided to transfer here, he should have came to Toledo to begin with. He's proven his worth, no doubt...but I simply don't understand his horrendous free throw shooting.

Almost seems he'd be more accurate taking a jump shot than taking the flat footed free throw. Wonder why he doesn't try that.

Hal Greer!

(03-01-2017 10:19 AM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  I know there has been a lot of talk on this Board this season about the play of Steve Taylor Jr. Despite his flaws (foul shooting, turnover issues, etc), you cannot dispute the fact that for one season, he has had as good of year as any Power Forward has had in Rocket History. With our lack of inside presence other than Luke Knapke on occasion, we have relied on Taylor Jr. to be our only low post scorer and control the boards which he has done remarkably on a game by game basis. While it has not translated into a Winning Season, I do not think you can fault Taylor Jr. for that. Can anyone remember a Power Forward at Toledo or any other Team in the MAC that has been a "double, double" machine as much as Taylor Jr. has been this season?

+1 it has been really enjoyable watching him this year too bad we don't have him 1 more year

Steve's a legit 4 guy (and a good one) but he's forced to play the 5. Luke is too skinny to be a 5, and even a 4; he would be a 3 in a big time program.

Interesting stat of the night.

RE: Rebounds.

If the current UT BB stats are up to date, and it appears they are. Rebounding average per game doesn't always tell the whole story.

The Beast gets a rebound a little over every 2 1/2 minutes. Taylor Adway gets one a tad over 4. Luke is about 4 3/4, and Lauf around 5 1/4.

Zach Garber a touch over 3 1/2. Ain't that a pisser?

Taylor has done a great job in a lot of ways at UT. Had an impact off the court, in practice and in games. I still think Boothe was a better player as a senior. Taylor is a better rebounder, low post scorer and passer. Boothe was a better mid range player, defender and outlet passer. Both could dribble and drive a bit and Boothe was more athletic by his senior year. Too bad we couldn't have had those 2 active at the same time. they would have been a nightmare to defend.