2018 Player Discussion Thread: Sterling Taplin

[ctt8410]

Junior G Sterling Taplin

In an 11-game stretch from the beginning of December to mid-January last year, Sterling Taplin averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 50% from the field and 88% from the line. He looked like a burgeoning star at point guard. Shaq Harrison with a jump shot. And then something weird happened. He stopped making layups.

Maybe it was playing quadruple the number of minutes, maybe it was the grind of playing physical AAC defenses, maybe it was scouting reports finally catching up to the Tulsa offense, maybe it's just randomness. But over the last 15 games, he made less than 25% inside the arc on more than 5 attempts per game. Whatever the reason, it's up to Taplin to finish making the leap this year. After offseason rumors of a grad transfer fizzled, he once again has an unimpeded path to 30+ minutes per game. For this to be a tourney team in 2018, Taplin needs to be tourney-quality point guard.

2017 stats: 29.2mpg, 9.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1 spg, 2.6topg, 0.1bpg, 39.1% 2PT, 40.3% 3PT, 84.5% FT
2018 proj.: 30.5mpg, 10.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.2apg, 1.2spg, 2.5topg, 0.1bpg, 40.2% 2PT, 37.0% 3PT, 84.6% FT

 

[astonmartin708]

I actually think Taplin's minutes might go down just a touch this season if Joiner proves he can be efficient in the backup spot.

 

[Bill Lowery]

Junior G Sterling Taplin

In an 11-game stretch from the beginning of December to mid-January last year, Sterling Taplin averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 50% from the field and 88% from the line. He looked like a burgeoning star at point guard. Shaq Harrison with a jump shot. And then something weird happened. He stopped making layups.

Maybe it was playing quadruple the number of minutes, maybe it was the grind of playing physical AAC defenses, maybe it was scouting reports finally catching up to the Tulsa offense, maybe it's just randomness. But over the last 15 games, he made less than 25% inside the arc on more than 5 attempts per game. Whatever the reason, it's up to Taplin to finish making the leap this year. After offseason rumors of a grad transfer fizzled, he once again has an unimpeded path to 30+ minutes per game. For this to be a tourney team in 2018, Taplin needs to be tourney-quality point guard.

2017 stats: 29.2mpg, 9.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1 spg, 2.6topg, 0.1bpg, 39.1% 2PT, 40.3% 3PT, 84.5% FT
2018 proj.: 30.5mpg, 10.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.2apg, 1.2spg, 2.5topg, 0.1bpg, 40.2% 2PT, 37.0% 3PT, 84.6% FT

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Thanks, CTT. I’m enjoying these write ups.

 

[nevadanatural]

I agree, for us to have a good year Taplin needs to be our best overall player. He needs to be able to score and keep the defenses honest and set up his teammates. Last year was his first year being THE point guard, his first year he was occasional relief for Shaquille. I expect him to be up for the task. I think the thing he needed to work on most in the off season was the kick out to our other shooters on the drive.

 

[Gold*]

He needed other shooters for that to work.

 

[ctt8410]

Yep. If you watch that game-winner against Temple, you see defenders closely guarding Birt (31%) and Henderson (34%) in the corners and Alston practically holding Wheeler's hand (29%) to the concession stand. I think teams adjusted after that to just leave the shooters open.

 

[nevadanatural]

Hopefully that issue has been corrected. With Scott, Etou, Artison, and Igbanu on the court everybody should be able to clear out and hit a jumper.