8 Mins for Otule?

[StillWarriors]

I didn't see the game at all, but was surprised to see only 8 mins for Otule? I think the guy needs to play so he can develop towards being serviceable for the BEast season. Any particular reason he only played 8 mins?

[GGGG]

Again...there is no one for our bigs to guard on these teams.  They are too small.

[tower912]

Matchups.   He is worlds ahead of last year with miles and miles to go.  Hopefully, we can get double digit minutes out of him in our games over Thanksgiving.   

[avid1010]

If Buzz is planning on using Otule for decent minutes this year, and I'm assuming the fact that he got the start meant something, why not play him when it's obvious the game is over?  Do they just not want him forming bad habits or to lose focus on what they're stressing in practice?

[Murffieus]

I'm afraid Otule isn't the answer this year nor beyond that unless he develops better hands----he
continually bobbles passes and rebs. Needs to get serious with hand squeezers.

[tower912]

I know he wears goggles?   Does he have diminished sight?   His hands aren't great, but I think they are as good or better than Ooze's at the same point in his career.   

[Big Daddy 84]

Matchups was part of the reason. Chris has turned a corner in his mental approach to the game. Buzz rewarded him for his efforts in practice...but was not figured as a major role for the game for reasons already discussed. Buzz specifically removed Chris from the game twice (late first half and beginning 2nd half) immediately after he made a great play each time. The first was after a 3 point play the other after a dunk.

Buzz has torn Chris down and now is in the phase of building him back up. Buzz has now set his target on EW for his special attention....

I have more enthusiasm for this program than ever before because Buzz can truly "develop" players.  Early last year I expressed some great concerns about JB's ability and value to this team. Obviously those concerns have been eliminated. Buzz and his staff were able to quickly help JB improve his game and (this is the key part IMHO) Buzz was able "to figure it out" in regard to where JB's talents where best suited.

If you read Buzz's comments about some of the younger players last night he mentions "figuring it out" 3-4 times. He really means it. He knows every player has a place where they can be best utilized and so far he has demonstrated a great talent of identifying it and honing it.


I am looking forward to the games in Orlando

[NotAnAlum]

I heard some place that Otule had very poor eyesight in one eye.  That may be why he wears the goggles.  It would seem like that would make judging distance much more difficult, something tough to deal with in basketball.

[bilsu]

Without glasses he is legally blind in one eye. I do not think his hands are bad, it is his depth perception. he had some nice baskets last night. He does not play alot because of his defense, which is 10 times better than Mbao's defense.

[79Warrior]

I'm afraid Otule isn't the answer this year nor beyond that unless he develops better hands----he
continually bobbles passes and rebs. Needs to get serious with hand squeezers.

Agree with Murf on this point. Otule is not a legit option for BE play.

[StillWarriors]

If he is not a legit option for BE play, then let him play against inferior talent to get better so he can hopefully one day be legit for BE play. If he doesn't have the potential, then that's a different problem all together.

I really don't buy the matchup part of it. If having a tall guy on the floor is a problem for us on the defensive end, then that should be an issue for the opponent on the defensive end. No harm in forcing the ball down low and telling Otule to take advantage of the height advantage in games like these. Develop some confidence in the kid.

I'm really not intending this to be a rip on Buzz. I trust he know's what he's doing for the most part; he's earned that. I just think that if Otule is going to play a role on this team, which, frankly, he has to, you've got to let him get in there and develop.

[nyg]

Not matchups, Grambling had two bigs, Akpele who was 6ft 9 245 and Wilkenson at 6ft 8 240. 

You think Pitino holds out Samuels, Thompson holds out Monroe, Cronin holds out Gates because of smaller position players.  They don't tell them they are going to sit tonight because the opponent is smaller.

Otule currently just does not possess the skills to be a Div I center. 

[romey]

nyg, I agree with you.  As I'm reading these posts, and similar posts following previous games, I wasn't really buying the match-up explanation.  We are the superior team!  Make them worry about match-ups.  Take it to them.  Get it to our "bigs" and let them try and stop us.  And on the defensive end, are we not talented enough to help out and stop a 250, or 300+ RPI team with our best lineup?  If Chris isn't out there, then maybe it's because he's not part of our "best" lineup as opposed to it being a match-up issue.

[77champs]

Too slow right now, bad footwork puts him out of position after the first fake.   He did block a shot which was nice but his feet never left the ground when he blocked it.   Still a great deal of work needed for position, footwork etc.   Not sure which coach has the background to work with him on the elemental level.

[vacinator]

IMO - MU will be a forward and guard dominated team for the next two years.  All of the top recruits and talent is sitting in those spots - and three more top 100(ish) kids are coming. Otule and Mboa both have potential but they are both projects and it is going to take a while.