Otule Vs. Gardner

[Clam Crowder]

One tonight was a hack machine who still scored quite a bit, and didn't lose the ball, and the other can't catch the ball and has no hands. Otule needed to pick it up, and he didn't. It's very frustrating. Combine Otule's blocking prowess with Gardner's offense and we got a stud.

[PGsHeroes32]

Otule cant handle a board in traffic to save his life

[mviale]

Gardner is much more advanced on offense, but defense is in Otule's favor.

[Doris Burkes Thong]

Gardner is much more advanced on offense, but defense is in Otule's favor.

Definately agree.

[Ready2Fly]

Gardner is really good at getting rebounding position, but he gets no lift and often times UW-GB players were out-jumping him for boards.  He's also out of position on defense a lot.

However, he gets it on offense.  His footwork and touch in the interior are very advanced.  After some work with Todd Smith and thousands of defensive repetitions in practice, he'll be a major cog in a deep tourney run.

[MarquetteDano]

I am just happy to get defensive and offensive production out of the five position.  Between the two of them, we will.

How long has it been that we have had 3 games in a row of more than 5 blocked shots?  How long has it been that we have had an offensive post presence who can score with his back to the basket?

It isn't all in one package but I'll take it.

[MUfan12]

One tonight was a hack machine who still scored quite a bit, and didn't lose the ball, and the other can't catch the ball and has no hands. Otule needed to pick it up, and he didn't. It's very frustrating. Combine Otule's blocking prowess with Gardner's offense and we got a stud.

And combine the two and you have about 12 Division 1 games between them. Otule might as well be a frosh with how little game minutes he's gotten due to injury.

Give them time.

[Benny B]

I am just happy to get defensive and offensive production out of the five position.  Between the two of them, we will.

Probably the biggest contribution that your center can make which doesn't make the stat sheet is the "altered shot."  Blocks are great.  Rebounds are swell.  But if you can force the other team to take low-percentage shots in the paint (normally a high-percentage locale), that is invaluable.

For instance, if a team takes, on average, 20 shots in and around the paint where they average a FG% of 80, and you can knock that down to 50%, that's 12 points.  Take a team from 90% to 30%, and that's 24 points.  That's where Otule can find his niche this year... he doesn't have to be a rebounding or scoring machine, just force the other team to take bad shots.

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

I wonder if we'll ever see Otule and Gardner on the floor at the same time...

DJO/Vander
Butler
Crowder
Gardner
Otule

Maybe?

[willie warrior]

I believe that Gardner is also a better passer than Otule.

Otule is definitely a better shot blocker/alterer.

[downtown85]

I wonder if we'll ever see Otule and Gardner on the floor at the same time...

Vander 6'3"
Butler 6'7"
Crowder 6'6"
Gardner6'8"
Otule 6'11"

Maybe?

That is some serious height, also some serious offensive firepower with Butler, Crowder and Gardner on the floor at once.  Also some good defense with Otule at the back and Blue shadowing the other point guard.  I think we may see that at one point or another.  

[w0bbie]

I wonder if we'll ever see Otule and Gardner on the floor at the same time...

DJO/Vander
Butler
Crowder
Gardner
Otule

Maybe?

I think this has a much better chance of happening if it's Buycks instead of DJO or Vander.  Either of those guys could handle bringing the ball up under pressure, but they haven't really had game experience doing it.  I think Buzz would want someone who has already shown the capability.  With the way Buycks has started this season, we aren't losing much with him in there.

[4everwarriors]

I wonder if we'll ever see Otule and Gardner on the floor at the same time...

DJO/Vander
Butler
Crowder
Gardner
Otule

Maybe?


Only if Gardner can run the point.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Downtown... agree with your line up "that MU has serious height."  But, update your heights to list Vander at 6"4" and Gardner at 6'9".  Now, that is serious height.  Mu is fast and can play big this year!  That's exciting!!!

[chapman]

Just nice to have a balanced lineup and not be playing 6'6" guys at the 5 the entire game because we have no choice.  Even better to know they're a freshman and a sophomore.

[avid1010]

I've never seen a bid develop a good set of hands....while there is much to like from Chris, that will always be a serious issue.

[Lennys Tap]

I've never seen a bid develop a good set of hands....while there is much to like from Chris, that will always be a serious issue.

Sadly, I concur.

[karavotsos]

With the way Buycks has started this season, we aren't losing much with him in there.

That's the nicest thing anyone has said about Buycks all year.

[VegasWarrior77]

Just nice to have a balanced lineup and not be playing 6'6" guys at the 5 the entire game because we have no choice.  Even better to know they're a freshman and a sophomore.

+1
Just think of Otule and Gardner in two years when they both have two full years of experience and off season training under their belts!

[Dawson Rental]

I wonder if we'll ever see Otule and Gardner on the floor at the same time...

DJO/Vander
Butler
Crowder
Gardner
Otule

Maybe?

No, we will not.  This team has too much talented depth to put both Otule and Gardner out there at the same time.  Right now, MU is playing 3 guards just over half the time - and that's assuming that Butler is playing forward all the time - going to just two true guards with the Otule/Gardner combo would then mean sitting Crowder or Butler down.  I can't really see that happening.