Why no Mbakwe?

[HoopDreams]

Just curious, but why did Mbakwe not see a minute in the tourney? He was suited up and everything but didn't see any floor time...considering the "un-redshirting" or his "medical clearance", just surprises me he wouldn't see any time when he was getting minutes in every other game since he came back...I know he is inexperienced but he may have been able to put a body on someone especially when we were in foul trouble situations.

[Markusquette]

I completely agree.  I don't know what Crean's logic was on this, but I think Mbakwe could have at least came in and gave Ousmane a rest so there would be a chance he would not be sitting with 5 fouls in OT.  Mbakwe hasn't been amazing of course, but I don't expect him to play any worse than Burke or Trend.

[i know ousmane barro]

Who knows, maybe it will make him hungrier to play in the NCAA tourney next year.

[ChuckyChip]

You must have blinked when Trevor was in the game today, because he did get in, but not for long.

What a waste of a year of eligibility.

[MUSF]

Mbakwe gets lost on defense and isn't that effective offensively.

This is big boy season.

Mbakwe came off of redshirt because he busted his ass to get back and wanted to play so Crean rewarded him.

[MUCHI814]

He also didn't want to be in college for 5 years, so it made no sense to save a year of eligibility

[Big Papi]

You must have blinked when Trevor was in the game today, because he did get in, but not for long.

What a waste of a year of eligibility.

It was a wasted year when he got hurt.  He said he didn't want to be in college for 5 years so we got 7 plus games out of him and he will be better for it next year.

[ChuckyChip]

He also didn't want to be in college for 5 years, so it made no sense to save a year of eligibility

Let's ask him three years from now if he feels the same way.  Hmmm...spend another year in college, all expenses paid, travel around the country playing basketball, treated like a king, or go out in the real world and get a job.  I wonder if his answer will be different.  Why the rush to be finished with college?

[MUfanatic22]

It was surprising that Mbakwe got in so early because he didn't play at all the first round against Kentucky. I would have put him in for some time because he is a good defender. The only downside is that he isn't great offensively but none of our big man were studs on the offensive side. Some of the time we had Fitzgerald guarding Robin Lopez and there was at least two times where Robin Lopez got a basket and a free throw because Fitz couldn't play the post well. Fitz was more of a perimeter player and wasn't meant to be playing defense in the post. We should have tried to go a little bigger when Fitz was draining threes and put Fitz at the small forward. It was good that Mbakwe got some experience this year and hopefully he comes back with a huge year next year.

[ChicosBailBonds]

He also didn't want to be in college for 5 years, so it made no sense to save a year of eligibility

Let's ask him three years from now if he feels the same way.  Hmmm...spend another year in college, all expenses paid, travel around the country playing basketball, treated like a king, or go out in the real world and get a job.  I wonder if his answer will be different.  Why the rush to be finished with college?

Because college isn't for everyone...that's why.

[ChuckyChip]

He also didn't want to be in college for 5 years, so it made no sense to save a year of eligibility

Let's ask him three years from now if he feels the same way.  Hmmm...spend another year in college, all expenses paid, travel around the country playing basketball, treated like a king, or go out in the real world and get a job.  I wonder if his answer will be different.  Why the rush to be finished with college?

Because college isn't for everyone...that's why.

Huh?  Then why is he in college at all?  If his goal is some sort of professional career, I don't think that wasting a year helps.  If his goal is to get his degree in four years and move on with his life, well then I guess college is for him.  Either way, your comment makes no sense.