Northwestern Basketball Player Review: Nathan Taphorn

Over the next few weeks, I will review each player on Northwestern's basketball team and go over what they need to improve  for next season. Up next is senior forward Nathan Taphorn

**Taphorn was a senior this past season, so he will not return next season (Wow! Great insight, Captain Obvious). Therefore, there will be no category on what he needs to improve.**

Taphorn was a sharpshooter who provided a spark off the
bench for Northwestern

Season Review: "Seven seconds, Taphorn, long inbounds; Pardon with the catch, the finish, and the 'Cats win it!" That is how Nathan Taphorn's senior season (and his whole career, really) will be remembered. His perfect Hail Mary heave to beat Michigan pretty much clinched the first NCAA tournament berth in program history. Taphorn averaged 4.5 points per game this past season, the second highest mark of his career. Taphorn had one job and one job only this year, and that was shoot the 3-ball. He did it very well, clocking in at 47% from behind the arc. He was pretty much incapable of creating his own shot off the dribble, but was lethal when he got an open catch-and-shoot. His two threes in a short time against Gonzaga are a perfect example of what he brought to this team. He wasn't a prolific scorer, but he hit big threes in big moments. He was much improved on defense this season. During his junior year, he was a liability on defense. Taphorn often got lost on defense and constantly gave up easy buckets. This year; however, he was much better on defense. Taphorn was not a lock-down defender, but he held his own and was not the weak link who got picked on, either. In the end, Taphorn will be remembered as what he was— a lights out shooter who made a tremendous pass.

Final passing stats: 1-1, 31 yards, 1 TD