Ryan Taylor moves on

by UL is my hot hot sex on Nov 18, 2011 5:35 PM EST in Basketball

It appears that Louisville and former Louisville commit Ryan Taylor have officially broken up. No definite word on who cheated on whom.

Initially listed as a power forward in the 2011 class, Taylor committed to Louisville early, back in January of 2009. Due to academic issues, he was forced to re-classify as a 2012 class recruit and enroll at Hargrave Military Academy.

What's interesting about this development is that Pitino watched Taylor play at Hargrave just two weeks ago. Did Pitino confirm what he needed to see? Does Taylor no longer fit a need? Or did the academics issue play a factor?

Here's a quote from Taylor, via CBS.com's Jeff Borzello:

"I can't really say [what happened], but we both wanted to go our separate ways," Taylor said at the National Prep Showcase. "No disrespect to Coach Pitino or their program, but we wanted to go our separate ways."

Sounds to me like Louisville was ready to move in a different direction. It's not you, Ryan, it's us.

According to Borzello, Taylor has no timetable for a commitment but is looking at Dayton, Cincinnati and Arkansas. Taylor added, "I like the Big East style of basketball; Big East and Big Ten."

Final thought that's more of a question than a thought: Does this action have anything to do with Jared Swopshire's return to form and will Swop be allowed to apply for a medical redshirt and use his last year of eligibility as a Card? If so, count me as a fan. Love me some Swop.

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Comments

I hope Swop can come back next year.

There is a lot of time between now and then, and a lot of things can happen. But we’ll have a major void to fill at the SF spot with Kuric graduating, and I’ve always been a supporter of Swop getting a shot at that position.

by Get_In_My_BELLY_ on Nov 18, 2011 5:43 PM EST reply actions

+1

by FredoKY on Nov 18, 2011 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

I agree.

I can’t imagine not wanting a fifth year senior Swop on the court. My guess is that Pitino can’t anymore, either.

by cardcorefan on Nov 19, 2011 8:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Hope you're right. No way a freshman will contribure more than Swop can next year.

by Carolina Cardinal on Nov 19, 2011 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

I hope Swop is back next year, too

but even without his return, we still have Hancock, Blackshear, Marra, and maybe Ware to rotate between the 2 and 3 spots next year. Not exactly like Kuric and Chris Smith are leaving the cupboard bare.

by osarusan on Nov 18, 2011 6:17 PM EST reply actions

depends on who ends up on injured reserve

by cbcard on Nov 18, 2011 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

If Swop continues to play as well as he has, there is no way Pitino won't welcome him back next year

And I hope he does. Swop really has a great combination of skills.

by cardsinindy2010 on Nov 18, 2011 6:18 PM EST reply actions

Love that Swop is finally getting the respect he deserves

by osarusan on Nov 18, 2011 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

Yep, I think I said it here after the UK game last year but,... I really thought he was gonna be the dude that played out of his mind last New Year's Eve

I hope he really gets rolling by the time we go in there this year. Just like last year I don’t think there will be another player on our team who wants to beat those guys more than him

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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Nov 18, 2011 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

I think he has a chance to be Swoptacular

by cbcard on Nov 18, 2011 7:40 PM EST reply actions

i share the Swop love, but...

There’s no way Pitino says no thanks to a recruit because he thinks Swop is getting another year.
For one, it is way to early to declare Swop back to Big East form.
Two, with the recent injury history you can never have enough talent at any position.
My guess is Pitino saw the guy play and decided he no longer liked the kid’s potential. I seriously doubt it has anything to do with Swop.

by JohnTongEchoesinmyhead on Nov 18, 2011 8:28 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Agreed

but it might work the other way around. Having parted ways with Taylor, if he doesn’t see another big-time recruit worth offering, he might keep Swop rather than bring in a project.

"...and the present, for us, is something that we really look forward to."
- Rick Pitino

by rickmbari on Nov 19, 2011 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

Ryan

I was really hoping to see you in Red. I hope the best for you. The kind of desire you have showed to play for this school really made me want to see you succeed here. I really hope the best for you and hope you are happy where ever you end up and I’ll be watching you. Don’t rule out a transfer, you never know.

by Thales66 on Nov 18, 2011 8:48 PM EST reply actions