My full analysis of the Commodores easy handling of Marquette can wait. I want to talk about Jeffery Taylor first and foremost. He, more so than any of our three draft prospects, has increased his draft potential by a good bit this season and is finally starting to regain the trust of Vanderbilt fans. However, if you read my draft stock pieces at the end of last season, you readers should know that I have stood by Jeffery Taylor in terms of his draft stock. I have even been defending his game a lot over the past few seasons and, outside of a few straightforward criticisms early this year, have been a JT supporter. I am not patting my self on the back here folks, but I am here to make another case for one of our top players.
Now we all know Jeff has been collecting buckets much better this season, but did you know how much better? A quick look at the stats shows he is an outstanding 10% improved on his field goal percentage from last season, and sits at a stellar career-best mark of 54.2% right now. While that will go down some in conference play, it will not take as big a fall as someone might expect. Really, over the course of his four-year career, the senior forward has actually improves his field goal percentage in conference play as opposed to late non-conference play in all but one season. While it is absurd to think he can repeat that improvement due to his already high marks, it can be expect to not fall much at all and for this season to finish with a comfortable lead as the best shooting year for the career of Jeffery Taylor.
A deeper analysis shows that Jeffery Taylor was actually not as down last season as many thought. If you read my draft stock post, you are already aware. As for those who have not, here are the numbers to back that claim. While JT did shoot his worst field goal percentage of his career last season, the number is slightly skewed. Jeffery Taylor took over ten times as many three pointers his junior season as he did his sophomore season. As his range improved, the difficulty of his total shot selection did as well. Naturally, this dragged his field goal percentage down. When we look at his true field goal percentage, which takes the fact that three point shots are more valuable than two point shots, you can see that his junior season percentage was just barely one percentage point less than his sophomore season. So yes, last season was statistically a down year for Jeffery Taylor. However, a real pro scout would most certainly value the fact that JT added deep range shots to his arsenal more than a tiny little difference in his efficiency. When we take a look at this season, or even last night for that matter, it is clear that the deep shot has became an even stronger skill for the senior forward. And that is why his true field goal percentage sits at a career-best 60.5% right now. Considering those stats and the fact that JT can add muscle almost at will, scouts should be drooling at the work ethic and potential for Jeffery Taylor.
Shooting is not even the best skill of Jeff Taylor though. He is not afraid to take his outstanding perimeter defense to any player in the country and his athleticism gives him the opportunity to make a variety of stunning plays. Not to mention his defense crates many turnovers, and he has a higher steal percentage than Kemba Walker did in his final season at Connecticut. All in all, his main criticism here at Vanderbilt has been his consistency. However, no one seems to mention that pro teams are not looking for their star player when they draft Jeffery Taylor. He is more fitting the spot of a fine role player, a defensive stopper, and a build block in the scheme of a franchise. I could really see him capitalizing on those spots at the next level. If Jeffery Taylor can keep the same work ethic he has now, he has a potential to fit the mold of a bigger and more explosive Aaron Afflalo in the NBA. And in case any of you folks are unaware, that is the type of player any team would want on their roster and high up in their rotation. However, Jeffery Taylor may not have much more room to develop his outside game and will need to develop a few more moves attacking the basket if he wants a chance to reach the levels I am talking about. His go-to moves could prove to be quite predictable at the next level and that is the biggest immediate problem in his game right now.
All in all, the future looks bright for Jeffery Taylor. And if he can continue playing like he has, then the future of this team will look bright as well.