Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Tyshawn Taylor’s due for big game (vs. Stilman White?)

spt-120323-tyshawn

Mike Miller

Kansas has now won back-to-back NCAA tournament games – against a 10 seed and an 11 seed -- by six combined points.

It’s no coincidence that point guard Tyshawn Taylor has struggled in both.

In his last two games, the senior point guard has made just 6 of 25 field goals and sports nine assists to his seven turnovers. For a guy who can be the most dominant player on the court, that’s not what Kansas needs to make the Final Four. They need him dishing, cutting to the basket and pushing the ball as much as possible in the open court.

He tried as much against N.C. State Friday night, but nothing clicked.

“Ty didn’t have one of his best games, obviously, but he also had 10 rebounds and five assists. So that’s not awful,” Self said. “He made some plays that I think he made because he’s pressing, trying too hard, but he’s a terrific guard. He’ll play on Sunday. I don’t have any reservations about that at all.”

Self may be right. The thought of Taylor matchups up against UNC freshman Stilman White – filling in for the injured Kendall Marshall – is enough to make any Kansas fans salivate at the prospect of Taylor turning in a massive game.

Because when Taylor’s on, Kansas is as good as it gets. The Jayhawks’ offense is crisp, the ball moves and the defense follows suit. At some point, it’ll click. Sunday night be the day.

“The lid just hasn’t come off (the rim) yet,” Self said. “But it’s going to come off. We’re going to start making shots.”

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.