Austin Peay Basketball: In-Depth Look at Sophomore Forward Terry Taylor

Expectations for Taylor 2018-2019

If the last 4 games of the forwards season are a predictor of future results. Taylor could be on pace for one of the best individual seasons in the Ohio Valley in quite some time. Over his last 4 games of the season, the sophomore averaged 18.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. In his final game, he was able to score 31 points to go along with 12 rebounds. If the Govs can look forward to that every night, Taylor is going to make coach Figger and the rest of the fanbase extremely happy.

Taylor stands at 6’6” and is on the verge of becoming an elite scorer. He should already be considered an elite rebounder, and not just by Ohio Valley Conference players. He was able to secure 133 offensive rebounds. The offensive rebounds lead to easy offense for the Govs, and most of the time probably easy offense for Taylor himself. Offensive rebounds are something that every team tries to maximize and are usually a team effort. As a coaching staff when you can find one player who accounts for almost 4 offensive rebounds, or extra possessions a game that player is a special rebounder.

The rebounding numbers should improve overall but to say the offensive rebounding numbers improve may be a stretch. Every team is going to try to find any way possible to not let Taylor secure the offensive rebounds. Austin Peay may need to get creative like most other teams do when rebounding on the offensive end. Taylor does not need to change much about his offensive game. If he continues to play his game and hunt for shots, the forward should have as much success as he did last year.

If the forward improves and does not experience the sophomore slump, he will be the player of the year in the conference and may lead the Govs back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016. Taylor will play in an NCAA tournament before his career in college basketball is over.