Sorry if this is redundant but I haven't seen anything on this topic yet. So, does anyone know why Burke is starting and Barro is not getting as much PT as last year. Granted we are one game into the season and Burke has 10 points and it is still the first half vs. Utah Valley State, but is seems weird to me. Are we prepping Burke to be the starter next year when Barro is gone? Is Ooze struggling or practicing like crap? If anyone has any insight please reply.
This isn't a response to your question, but Ooze has been absolutely useless in the first half. He's a liability on the defensive end as every one of their big men is quicker than him and he's not rebounding (haven't checked the stats but I don't think he is).
Burke, OTOH, is rebounding and is actually looking halfway competent on the offensive end. That's not to say I'm confident in giving him the ball on the block with his back to the basket, but he's been very good crashing the boards. That says nothing about his defense, where he's ten times the defender OB is.
Burke has 10 points and 7 rebounds at half. On his way to a double, double. Ooze has played 6 minutes. WTF?
I'm not sure why Ooze isn't playing in this game, but Crean after the IUPUI game Crean said he's been starting Burke instead of Ooze for a couple of reason. First to keep Ooze from getting some early fouls. Second to get Burke some confidence. There may have been other reasons, but those are the two I remember.
I was THRILLED with what Dwight did tonight. If Crean is starting him to help build confidence, it is working. I have never seen him be so aggressive. He did have a few classic Burke moments, like the moving screen (although he was pushed into it) and the late over the back. But it overall was very exciting to see this potential. Obviously, he's not going to be all BE, but if he can hold his own and contribute, my expectations will have been exceeded.
As for Barro, he definitely didn't have a good game, but I loved the intensity, the emotion he showed when he got that T. It's always nice to see some fire inside him.
Murf called it - Burke has tons of potential
Quote from: larrym on November 12, 2007, 08:09:52 PM
I'm not sure why Ooze isn't playing in this game, but Crean after the IUPUI game Crean said he's been starting Burke instead of Ooze for a couple of reason. First to keep Ooze from getting some early fouls. Second to get Burke some confidence. There may have been other reasons, but those are the two I remember.
I love this idea. Not only does it keep Ooze out of foul trouble it gives him some rest as well if he's needed at the end. The best part is if Dwight contributes (as he did last night) you get some unexpected points. If not you put Ooze in.
If he's your best option, you don't sit him at the beginning of the game because you're afraid he'll get in foul trouble. It sounds to me like Burke has flat beaten Ooze out.
For those at the Chicago luncheon, didn't Crean make some disparaging comments about Barro's progression prior to the season?
I have always like Burke's business-like approach. But Barro can run the floor like a gazelle. I'd like to see them both on the floor at the same time.
We shouldn't be playing 4 guards at once when none of them are even decent shooters. That type of thing only works when at least one of the guards needs to be guarded on the perimeter. It will not work when we face zones. The good news for those looking forward to the Hawaii trip is that most teams do not game-plan for pre-conference tournaments and will stay in man-to-man this early in the season to prepare themselves for their conferences. Marquette is an exception to this rule as Crean has likely had the guys running against sets of all of our potential Maui opponents.
Sorry PRN but it does make sense. Last year in numerous big games Barro picked up two fouls in the first minute or two. Meaning we had 18 minutes to fill at the 5, then a comination of Burke, Lott, kinsella, and even LAzar would get manhandled at that position. Sometimes to the point where Crean would bring him back in in the first half despite his 2 fouls. Not a good way to start. I like the tactic. Of ten times a player will get too jacked up at the start of the game and make silly mental mistakes. Not sure if this is the case with BArro or not but often times the best thing for guys like that is to sit them and allow them to relax on the bench and then bring them in. I have had players like this over the years. Again not exactly sure if that is Barro's deal but most of those early fouls last year were dumb reaches and such all dumb dumb fouls at that point or any point of the game. Regardless, Burke has out played his pants off, Burke has two dunks this year already, how many times has Barro been stuffed going up with that weak stuff?
I think Ooze just does not generally flourish in these games where he is bigger than his opponent. He seems to do better as the competetion gets better and the opponents have true bigs (although foul trouble can limit him even then). I think he lacks the lateral quickness to do well in many of these NC games.
I will say that originally I thought starting Burke over Barro was not a good move I'm starting to see the logic in it. With Trevor out for the season Crean must find a servicable center besides Barro. By starting Burke he gets to begin the game with what one would assume is your "best" team. I assume that team can start the game with a game plan (like get Burke involved). If they make this happen you are building Burke's confidence. If not, so what, its just the first few minutes of a 40 minute game. Burke also gets to be announced with the starters which in and of itself builds confidence. Hopefully by Christmas you've got a guy who feels he can play. Then you can choose to play your best 5 in the conference schedule. Its should be what these early games are for. Based on yesterdays game it seems to be working. I hope it isn't contributing to Barro's lack of production but I guess you have to take one problem at a time.
Burke has a lot more upside than Barro----quicker, faster, stronger, and more athletic----lacks experience, but court savvy is improving. Came here strictly as a low postup, but never had a chance to show that off here as MU doesn't post up----to his credit instead of transferring he's learned the present system and it's techniques.
Even his FTs have improved considerably!
Quote from: Harrison on November 13, 2007, 10:35:08 AM
Sorry PRN but it does make sense. Last year in numerous big games Barro picked up two fouls in the first minute or two. Meaning we had 18 minutes to fill at the 5, then a comination of Burke, Lott, kinsella, and even LAzar would get manhandled at that position. Sometimes to the point where Crean would bring him back in in the first half despite his 2 fouls. Not a good way to start. I like the tactic. Of ten times a player will get too jacked up at the start of the game and make silly mental mistakes. Not sure if this is the case with BArro or not but often times the best thing for guys like that is to sit them and allow them to relax on the bench and then bring them in. I have had players like this over the years. Again not exactly sure if that is Barro's deal but most of those early fouls last year were dumb reaches and such all dumb dumb fouls at that point or any point of the game. Regardless, Burke has out played his pants off, Burke has two dunks this year already, how many times has Barro been stuffed going up with that weak stuff?
I understand the theory. My point is that the real reason he's not playing is not because of the fear of foul trouble. It's because Burke is playing better than him.
Barro played 14 minutes last night. Are we saying we saved him for those 14 minutes so he could fit all five fouls in during that time?
Barro is so soft on the offensive end that opposign defenses can sag off and help when one of our guards drives. With Burke, although he's not exactly Karl Malone, at least he's aggressive out there. It should help, especially if somebody on this team could throw the ball into the ocean.
After watching Barro play this year, he is lucky Mbakwe got hurt. Otherwise, he would be keeping Hazel company at the end of the bench. Ooze went back to Senegal this summer instead of staying and working on his game. I cannot blame him for that, but his game has regressed. Burke is playing well, but he will not survive against bigger players.