[Rosiak's Blog] Otule hoping to turn corner

[ToddRosiakSays]

Otule hoping to turn corner
               

Pickup games are pretty much a daily occurrence during the summer months at the Al McGuire Center.

While they mainly consist of MU players, there are some different faces that show up from time to time. Ex-DePaul guard Draelon Burns and ex-UWM guard Avery Smith, both Milwaukee natives, have already been a part of the festivities in the past month.

Last week, however, the talent level took a serious upturn. Joining the MU players already on campus for a friendly run were Richard Jefferson, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Joe Alexander of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jefferson, of course, is the Bucks' starting small forward and a 2004 Olympian. Mbah a Moute was a second-round pick of the Bucks last year, and is already considered their top defender. Alexander, a lottery pick last June, is a former West Virginia star well-known within the confines of the Al.

When it came down to matching up, Alexander drew Chris Otule, a 6-foot-10 center coming off what could only be classified as a disappointing freshman season.

A total mismatch, right? Not exactly, as it turns out.

According to different reports Otule held his own against Alexander, apparently playing well defensively from the start. He even blocked a few of Alexander's shots.

It was a performance that not many could have pictured a year ago at this time, when Otule arrived on campus as a major project on the blocks, yet one that coach Buzz Williams and his staff are undoubtedly hoping the sophomore-to-be can build upon as they seek to remake the Golden Eagles around senior Lazar Hayward.

"I mean, when the Bucks first came in, you’re excited and like, ‘Whoa, OK. I’m getting ready to play with these guys,’ " said Otule. "Then after the first block, I started to settle in and started getting used to it. I wasn’t overwhelmed or anything. It was fun, a fun experience.

"That gives me a lot of confidence, knowing I’m not just getting run over by them – I’m actually hanging with them, actually doing good against them."

If there's any returnee on the roster in need of such a confidence boost it is Otule.

Expected to be a contributor for a woefully thin Golden Eagles frontcourt last season, the Richmond, Texas native instead missed the first 10 games after suffering a broken left foot in a freak incident in practice just prior to MU's opener against Houston Baptist.

By the time Otule was cleared to return, MU had just three more games to go until the open of the Big East portion of the schedule -- clearly no time to begin working in a raw big man with miles to go in his development. So he played in the two home games, making his debut against Western Carolina, before being relegated to the end of the bench for the rest of the year.

Otule wound up playing in nine games, averaging 1.3 points and 1.1 rebounds for a team that was desperate for any kind of presence or size on the interior. Williams, however, refused to throw Otule to the wolves except in the most controlled circumstances for fear of stunting his development even further by harming what little confidence he did have at that point.

Otule believes he could have fit into the rotation in some form had he not fallen behind early because of the injury, but has already turned the page on his freshman year. That's not to say he didn't learn some major lessons along the way, though.

"Probably how hard you have to go at it every day," he said. "You have to give 100 percent every day. You can’t slack off one day, pick up the next. You have to go 100 percent every single day. That helps your confidence as well."

Since the off-season began, Otule has become the new pet project of strength and conditioning coach Todd Smith. As fiery and supportive as they come, Smith has been working with Otule not only on gaining strength and shaping his body, but also toughening him up mentally -- one of Otule's admitted weak spots as a freshman.

"I still have a long way to go as far as an aggressive mind set," he said. "When you first come to college, you don’t know what to expect. I was overwhelmed when I first came here, but with hard work, I survived it. If you don’t have that mind set, you’re not going to survive here – here or any other college. So you’ve got to have that mind set that you’re never going to stop working hard."

A productive off-season could very well lead to a prominent role for Otule as a sophomore.

With only the aforementioned Hayward as a lock for big-time minutes in the lineup at this point, there is probably another starting job as well as openings off the bench to be defined for not only Otule, but also incoming freshmen like Brett Roseboro and Youssoupha Mbao at the 4-5 spots.

In his limited playing time last season, Otule exhibited potential as a shot blocker as well as a rebounder. His 6-10, 250-pound frame obviously helps in both areas, and he's a decent athlete with a willingness to run the floor.

Offensively, however, Otule has a long way to go. While it's doubtful that he'll ever be asked to get the Golden Eagles a basket in a post-up situation, any offense he can produce off something other than a putback would obviously be a positive on a team that now has no established scorer other than Hayward.

With all that in mind, Otule is working on all aspects of his game.

"Every summer’s important, no matter what, but it’s your opportunity to get better in certain areas that you lack. Every summer’s important if you want to become a better player," he said. "The areas I probably need to work on are finishing with my left hand, going over my right shoulder. I feel as if I’m in better shape, but you can never stop trying to go out there and get in even better shape."

In addition to attending summer school and working on his game, Otule is also hopeful of heading overseas as part of an athletic ministry. Scheduled to take place in Munich and Nuremberg, Germany from July 30-Aug. 18, the trip would serve a few purposes for him.

"It’s going to be a good experience for me because it will be my first time overseas, so I’m excited about that," he said. "Coach Buzz and Coach Layer, they both presented it to me. At first I didn’t know what to think; I was kind of nervous about going overseas. They talked more about it and how it would be a good experience for me – not only in basketball, but becoming a man also. I liked that a lot.

"I don’t know any of the guys that are going to be playing, but I know it’s going to be people around the same age as me from all across America. So basically like freshmen and sophomores, all college players. It consists of camps, church, and then the last two days we have showcases in Germany. So it’ll be fun. Exposure, basically."

In order to go, Otule must raise $3,000 in donations. He's already part of the way there, but could use some more help, he said.

"It’s a fund-raising event," he said. "I’ve been getting a lot of responses from people who have been helping me out. I normally call (the donors) and have to send information to them. The money doesn’t come to me; it goes straight to the program. I have to get in contact, we talk and I have to send them information."

Anyone interested in donating should contact the MU men's basketball office at (414) 288-7130 for more information.
               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/48811672.html
               

[rocky_warrior]

While it's doubtful that he'll ever be asked to get the Golden Eagles a basket in a post-up situation, any offense he can produce off something other than a putback would obviously be a positive on a team that now has no established scorer other than Hayward.

Great blog, but whoa, whoa, whoa - we never expect Otule to get a post-up basket?   Are my hopes really too high?

[lurch91]

"It's a fund-raising event," he said. "I've been getting a lot of responses from people who have been helping me out. I normally call (the donors) and have to send information to them. The money doesn't come to me; it goes straight to the program. I have to get in contact, we talk and I have to send them information."

Anyone interested in donating should contact the MU men's basketball office at (414) 288-7130 for more information.
               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/48811672.html
               

Let's hear it MUScoop, can you help this kid reach his goal?  Can you have an active donation drive here in the forums?

[MUUWUWM]

I'll bet he reaches his goal at the barbeque...we'll just find a big old glass and everyone can stuff a buck in it...

[TJ]

Great blog, but whoa, whoa, whoa - we never expect Otule to get a post-up basket?   Are my hopes really too high?

I certainly hope not.

[downtown85]

Great blog, but whoa, whoa, whoa - we never expect Otule to get a post-up basket?   Are my hopes really too high?

That was exactly my reaction.  What little I saw of him last year, Otule does seem to have more potential for a post up game than other recent 5s (i.e. Burke , Barro) at Marquette.  I don't know why Todd has that opinion. 

[Ready2Fly]

Maybe what Todd meant to convey is that Otule would never be relied upon to get a postup hoop, as in he will never be a go-to scorer, and whatever he can contribute in that area will be a bonus.  He definitely has more potential to be a postup scorer than recent bigs, I totally agree with that.

[lurch91]

Offensively, however, Otule has a long way to go. While it's doubtful that he'll ever be asked to get the Golden Eagles a basket in a post-up situation, any offense he can produce off something other than a putback would obviously be a positive on a team that now has no established scorer other than Hayward.

I take this to mean that Otule isn't as polished as some of the other options MU will have next season.  The offense will be dominated by wing play in Buzz's offense.  To think that Otule will be a big post-up presence isn't going to happen.  Otule will get dishes under the basket off drives and garbage put-backs.

[tower912]

In limited time last year, COT showed flashes that he had at least rudimentary post moves and better hands than Barro.  IMHO, if he doesn't get hurt, he plays at least symbolic minutes all last season.   He never caught up after the injury and Buzz made the choice to not embarrass him.    If he has improved his footwork to the point that Alexander isn't constantly abusing him from the wing, then COT will contribute.   I don't expect him to ever be a 15/10 guy, but I think 5/5 is reasonable this year.    BTW, he sounds like another character guy who represents MU well and is here for the right reasons.

[Muhoops85]

Can people donate to this even if they donate to MU and the basketball program without causing some type of NCAA issue?  If so, you would think the people on this board could help get him closer to his goal.  Chris was very gracious at the BBQ tonight.  It would be nice to be able to help him.

In addition to attending summer school and working on his game, Otule is also hopeful of heading overseas as part of an athletic ministry. Scheduled to take place in Munich and Nuremberg, Germany from July 30-Aug. 18, the trip would serve a few purposes for him.

"It's going to be a good experience for me because it will be my first time overseas, so I'm excited about that," he said. "Coach Buzz and Coach Layer, they both presented it to me. At first I didn't know what to think; I was kind of nervous about going overseas. They talked more about it and how it would be a good experience for me – not only in basketball, but becoming a man also. I liked that a lot.

"I don't know any of the guys that are going to be playing, but I know it's going to be people around the same age as me from all across America. So basically like freshmen and sophomores, all college players. It consists of camps, church, and then the last two days we have showcases in Germany. So it'll be fun. Exposure, basically."

In order to go, Otule must raise $3,000 in donations. He's already part of the way there, but could use some more help, he said.

"It's a fund-raising event," he said. "I've been getting a lot of responses from people who have been helping me out. I normally call (the donors) and have to send information to them. The money doesn't come to me; it goes straight to the program. I have to get in contact, we talk and I have to send them information."

Anyone interested in donating should contact the MU men's basketball office at (414) 288-7130 for more information.