Cal Poly Hoops: Will Taylor’s Diet, a Double Double and a Smile

So no, Cal Poly (5-2) Senior 6’7″ forward Will Taylor is not dropping 20 & 10. But the man has a smile with a tight bending mustache that would make you think he did.

After red-shirting last season (during his would-have-been senior year) in order that he might suit up with longtime friend and point guard Amaurys Fermin again, the two are back on the court for the green and gold.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn_LLkf695M

Will Taylor takes the ball to the basket Wednesday night versus. Sacramento State. Photo by Jamie Pereira

Forty pounds lighter with a buffed out wide shouldered frame, the fifth-year senior is serving a greater purpose this season in Coach Callero’s gritty style of play.

Currently, the bruiser’s 9.7 points per game rank third on the team. His 6.7 rebounds rank first, while a torrid 55.8% from the floor and 90.9% from the free throw line are also tops on the team.

But beyond the numbers and stats, the man’s greatest intangible is his work ethic. He is the spark plug who drives Callero’s feisty guard-heavy group. His high energy play mixed with a mouth like a chatterbox never breaks during a forty-minute strap. And while others might take a higher shot total then him, the 22-year old calmly plays “the man” role demanding his share of touches on the low block.

It makes you wonder what kind of numbers he’d put up if he played in a solid 3-2 post set. But in Callero’s swing it, run it and swing it half court montage of three point shooting, Taylor’s minutes are limited. But don’t be fooled by this. Taylor is as important as anyone on the Mustangs roster.

Despite limited minutes, Taylor raises from his seat on the sideline doing what he does best-inspire and root on others. And when his number’s called, which it will be, the big fella drops five to eight foot half-hooks in the key with a soft, velvet touch.

In last night’s affair against Sacramento State, Taylor came out demanding touches and posting with authority. While his defenders commonly fronted the “undersized” big man, his strong lower half and determination sealed a high percentile position.

It seemed like the young man never stopped moving. From left to right, Taylor zig-zagged end line to corner box to free throw line. His defenders looked haggard and worn, while their coach madly questioned: “You can’t stay with him!? If not, Ill have to find someone who can.”

Nobody ever really did. Yes he posted “just” 11 & 6, but Taylor did his usual grinning with an intensity like no other. And as is becoming more and more common in Mott Gym, the Mustangs responded.

Cal Poly 77, Sacramento state 51.

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Lady Mustangs Lose to Pepperdine

Faith Mimnaugh’s Lady Mustangs (3-3) suffered a series of blows in their 80-78 loss to Pepperdine on Wednesday night. The Mustangs squandered an 18-point lead and team leader Kristina Santiago suffered an ankle sprain. The severity of the sprain is unknown. Santiago sat out the last thirty-plus minutes of basketball while her team looked discombobulated and out of sync. Ashlee Burns led the way for the Mustangs with 14 points and sophomore point guard Jonae Ervin chipped in 13. Fifth year senior guard Katie Menton dropped 27 in the W for the Waves.