Nebrasketball: Can Evan Taylor up his game in ‘17?

Last season was what I would call fairly “green” for the Nebraska men’s basketball team. A lot of the squad was young and fairly inexperienced. With transfers and graduation taking a toll on the lineup.

It was ripe for someone to come in and try to make an impact on the court.

Prior to the 2016-17 season the Cornhuskers lost the talents of Andrew White III to Syracuse. This left the team with a hole the needed to be filled. While it is tough to get anyone to come in and perform at the level White did, the Huskers weren’t exactly without someone to fill that position.

In July of ‘16 they picked up a 6’5” guard with enough experience on he college courts to add in a little experience to what was just lost.

Evan Taylor came to Nebraska via Samford and Odessa College. While playing for the Bulldogs he averaged 6.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, and shot 40% from the floor. Nothing too world shaking but enough from someone who was a 3 star starter his freshman year.

His stint at Odessa was a little bit better with 7.1 ppg, and 2.5 rpg. Again, nothing earth shattering but enough to draw the eye of the Nebraska coaching staff. The scholarship offer was made and Taylor made his way to Nebraska.

Since his arrival in Lincoln he has averaged 5.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, and has shot 41%. Out of the 31 games he played for the scarlet and cream he started 21. At times he did struggle. Many of the early games he barley made it onto the scoreboard. However, as time went on he became more comfortable with Miles’ system.

In total he had six games that saw him in double digits with a career high of 15 against Penn State in the final game of the season.

He helped out fairly well on defense throughout the season. In fact, this was the area he was looked upon the most. Helping out against the Big Ten’s toughest offensive squads. Playing well into Nebraska’s system.

Taylor’s first year at Nebraska was nothing special. However, it was also nothing to sneeze at either. He is one of the more consistent returning starters to this years squad and “should” have an even more productive year. This is even with the influx of talent that will see the court this season.

The new guys on the court will either push Evan to greater heights or help show that the senior isn’t where the Huskers will be going this year. Right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if either one happened.

If he doesn’t, he could very well see his time back on the bench in favor of much more productive players.