NCAA Basketball: Projecting the top 25 mid-major stars for 2019-20

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: The bench celebrates as Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies looks on as they play against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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18. Terry Taylor, Austin Peay

Guard/Forward | 6-foot-5 | 230 lbs | Junior

Austin Peay is not oft-discussed in college basketball circles but Terry Taylor is hoping to change that during this coming season. The rising junior wing is fresh off landing on an All-OVC team a year ago and looks poised to together an even bigger campaign. Although not much of a distributor, Taylor is the go-to scorer for the Governors and is also an elite combo guard/forward rebounder.

Taylor is a hyper-efficient offensive weapon and will once again carry Austin Peay this season. Over the course of this past campaign, he posted averages of 20.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.

Even though his 3-point percentage significantly slipped from 43.2% as a freshman to 34.0% last year, he is well-known as a legitimate threat from distance. Taylor made up for his decrease in perimeter efficiency by finishing on a ridiculous 61.4% of his 10.3 2-point attempts per game. If he experiences a shooting resurgence this season, watch out for Taylor as a darkhorse contender to finish near the nation’s scoring leaders.

With regard to Austin Peay’s projections as a team this year, the squad will have a difficult time competing for the Ohio Valley title. Although the Governors have a solid supporting cast around Taylor, Belmont and Murray State seem to be the clear preseason favorites in the league once again while Jacksonville State is right behind that top duo. Austin Peay has talent, for sure, but winning the OVC will be a challenge.

Taylor is a legit contender for the league’s Player of the Year award and could improve his candidacy by pushing the Governors to exceed expectations.

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