Taylor aims to continue program's progress as she enters third year
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A 75 percent success rate at the free-throw line invokes celebration. As a winning percentage, it would invoke elation.
In practice, though, it just causes frustration.
That’s because Texas A&M women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor says the Aggies won’t reach their destination until that success rate climbs higher.
“We have three great days. Then we have a just-OK day,” the third-year Aggie coach said on Wednesday at Southeastern Conference Media Day. “I want to have great days every day.
“Really good teams show up every single day (and) do what you have to do at a high level. They don’t get bored with the mundane. They don’t get bored with excellence. We’ve got to continue to create those types of habits.
“We’ve still got some work to do there. Are we better than we where were in year one and year two? Absolutely. Are we where we need to be? No.”
There is no question the Aggies have made progress.
After a difficult first season under Taylor, the Aggies improved to 19-13 and made the NCAA Tournament field last year.
Taylor said the Aggies could be even better this season if they avoid significant injuries, which was an issue in each of the previous two seasons.
“We have to stay healthy,” Taylor said. “I really think we could have had five more wins last year if we don’t lose (guard) Endyia Rogers and (post) Lauren Ware. We played that game in the (NCAA) Tournament against Nebraska without Lauren, and Endyia was coming back off of a knee surgery that allowed her to come back for the SEC Tournament. We were fortunate to still make the (NCAA) Tournament. So we’ve got to stay healthy.”
Rogers completed her eligibility, but Ware, a 6-foot-5 senior who led the Aggies in rebounding, is back. So is 6-foot senior guard Aicha Coulibaly.
Last season, Coulibaly led the Aggies in scoring, steals, field goal percentage and generally tormenting opponents.
“She's arguably our best defender, arguably our best rebounder,” Taylor said. “The stats say she's our best player, our best scorer. She can bring all those things. I think that's what she does best.
“She looks around and recognizes, ‘Where does the team need me today?’ She is happy to fulfill whatever role that is. Sometimes it's all of it. Most times, it is all of those things.”
A&M may need Coulibaly in the role of social director.
Not only is Rogers gone, but so is Janiah Barker, who transferred to UCLA.
Taylor compensated by bringing in transfers Janae Kent (LSU) and 6-3 forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim (SMU). She also added 6-foot-1 freshman guard Taliyah Parker, who can be another source of scoring.
“She’s a scorer,” Taylor said. “You put the ball in her hands, and she’ll figure out how to score.
"We needed somebody on the wing that can go get a bucket. She can do that. Obviously, as a freshman, she’s got to learn our style, learn our pace, so there’s a lot coming at her right now. But I’m really excited about what she brings to our team."
That trio, plus the return of guards Erica Moon, Kyndall Hunter and 6-foot-3 forward Jada Malone from injury, gives the Aggies an injection of new blood and new faces.
That’s six literal and virtual newcomers on A&M’s 11-player roster. Roster turnover is common in college sports, but A&M is taking it to extremes.
Building cohesion can take time. Fortunately, A&M got a “sneak peek” at what they could be on a 10-day foreign tour to Italy last summer.
“I think, naturally, we all just blend well together with our personalities,” Ware said. “Obviously, learning to play with each other is going to come as the season goes on. I think we’ve really improved on that just in the practices we’ve had leading up to the season. I can really see the improvement and see us starting to mesh well together.”
Taylor sees it, too.
“I’m excited about who we are,” Taylor said. “We’re versatile. We’re big, long. I’m excited about the people we have. Going into year three, I think we are moving in the right direction. Are we where we want to be? No, because we’re not winning championships yet.
“But I think we took a huge step last year. Our goal is to continue to move the program in the right direction, and we’re doing that.”
