T.J. Taylor leaving Marquette

[OUHoops]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab...program-without-playing-221535121--ncaab.html

T.J. Taylor leaves second program without playing for either of them
By Jeff Eisenberg | The Dagger

T.J. Taylor has enrolled at two Division I programs in two-plus years. He will not play a minute at either of them.

Taylor originally enrolled at Oklahoma in 2010, but he suffered a concussion just before the start of the season and left school at the semester break, opting instead to go to Paris Junior College in Texas. The 6-foot-3 guard signed with Marquette in Nov. 2011 and enrolled a few weeks ago, but his stint with the Golden Eagles didn't even last through the summer.

Marquette coach Buzz Williams announced via Twitter on Wednesday that Taylor has withdrawn from school for "personal reasons." Shelli Taylor, T.J.'s mom, said she has "no idea" what happened because she has been out of town with her other son but she's looking forward to getting some answers from her son when he arrives home to Texas late Wednesday night.

"As a program, we are in complete support of his decision and we wish him all the best in his future as a student-athlete," Williams added.

The timing of Taylor's departure is not ideal either for the player or the school. Since it's already mid-July and most schools have filled their rosters, Taylor won't have very many options when searching for a new program and Marquette will find the list of guards who are available right away to be threadbare.

It's possible Williams could be ushering Taylor out against his will to make room for another player the way he did with D.J. Newbill two years ago, but there are signs that's not the case here.

Williams was almost gleeful about landing a kid from his hometown when Taylor signed with Marquette last November. Taylor's Twitter account has not exactly been a bastion of positivity since he got to campus. And while Marquette could have a better guard waiting in the wings to take Taylor's place, there's no question the Golden Eagles will be short on backcourt depth if they don't replace him.

Junior Cadougan, Vander Blue and Arizona State transfer Trent Lockett will start for Marquette next season, but the reserve positions are murky at best. While Derrick Wilson will back up Cadougan at point guard, Taylor would have played plenty of minutes off the bench because suspended sophomore Todd Mayo is the lone proven backup at wing.

Taylor, who averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists at Denison High in Texas and led Paris Junior College in scoring last year, initially chose Oklahoma over Marquette and Arizona State in Nov. 2009.

He's now enrolled at two of those schools without playing. Maybe the Sun Devils are next.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Kid seems like a headcase but we had quite a few of them for about 3-4 years.

Best of luck wherever he lands. I hope he enrolls somewhere and at least gets his degree, even if it's NAIA or D-2.

 

[StatGeek]

very strange

 

[DenverSooner]

Ray Carruth?

 

[WaymanFan]

Kid seems like a headcase but we had quite a few of them for about 3-4 years.

Actually, we've had quite a few of them over the past quarter century. It would be depressing if I listed all of the players who arrived at OU on scholarship as freshmen since the mid-80s who actually played at OU for four years...one would be surprised at how few there were. I miss the great class of '83 when 5 of the 7 freshmen spent their entire collegiate career at OU. 5 out of 7. Now I'm happy when we get 1 out of 3.

Denver, I'm guessing you meant Rashard Carruth (the other one is serving a life sentence)...and yes, he would qualify as a head case. The difference is no one expected he'd last long at OU. If the guy couldn't handle playing for Tubby Smith, his chances of lasting long with Kelvin were about ZERO.

Anyway, I hope it works out for Mr. Taylor wherever his final (notice I didn't say NEXT) destination is.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Actually, we've had quite a few of them over the past quarter century. It would be depressing if I listed all of the players who arrived at OU on scholarship as freshmen since the mid-80s who actually played at OU for four years...one would be surprised at how few there were. I miss the great class of '83 when 5 of the 7 freshmen spent their entire collegiate career at OU. 5 out of 7. Now I'm happy when we get 1 out of 3.

Denver, I'm guessing you meant Rashard Carruth (the other one is serving a life sentence)...and yes, he would qualify as a head case. The difference is no one expected he'd last long at OU. If the guy couldn't handle playing for Tubby Smith, his chances of lasting long with Kelvin were about ZERO.

Anyway, I hope it works out for Mr. Taylor wherever his final (notice I didn't say NEXT) destination is.

:clap:clap:clap

 

[vbdad]

Capel recruiting an idiot? It only happened on about 75% of his recruits.

 

[sooner68]

Denver, I'm guessing you meant Rashard Carruth (the other one is serving a life sentence)...and yes, he would qualify as a head case. The difference is no one expected he'd last long at OU. If the guy couldn't handle playing for Tubby Smith, his chances of lasting long with Kelvin were about ZERO.

You're right about Rae Carruth but Rashaad did time as well.

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveOffenders/detail.asp?Bookmark=1&From=list&SessionID=423715662

 

[jerry]

Capel recruiting an idiot? It only happened on about 75% of his recruits.

The Capel curse goes on!!