Buzz has me looking ahead...

[brewcity77]

So last night in Buzz's post-game interview, he was talking about how Chris Otule now has two more years. I'm still a skeptic, but he was talking about it as though it was already a done deal, set in stone. With that in mind, I started thinking about what our team might look like in 2013-14...

Centers: Sr Chris Otule, Sr Davante Gardner, So Aaron Durley

This might by then be the best unit at the 5 of any team in the Big East. Safe to say there are no early-entrants in this group, and I'm pretty sure that by this time, guys like Fab Melo, Andre Drummond, and maybe even DaJuan Coleman will be in the NBA. We will have a lock-down defensive stopper, an experienced low-post scoring specialist and rebounder, and a big body behind them to keep them fresh. I'd guess there will be times when Otule and Gardner are out there together, most likely with Gardner staying home and defending the post and Chris covering the opposing four, especially against teams with solid length.

Forwards: Sr Jamil Wilson, Jr Juan Anderson, So Steve Taylor, Fr Deonte Burton

The big question is if Jamil becomes the player we believe he can be, but I love the potenial. If Wilson and Anderson develop as expected and Taylor and Burton are as good as they are being billed, this could be a scary group.

Guards: Sr Vander Blue, Jr Todd Mayo, Jr TJ Taylor, Fr Kendrick Nunn?[/i]

Okay, I'm dreaming a bit on Nunn, but having three upperclassmen that can do a bit of everything would be awesome. I think Blue as a senior will be a monster. Might only score around 10 ppg, but I think his rebounds and assists will be excellent, and I imagine most teams having to deal with Blue and Mayo's combined ability on the defensive end would be a nightmare. I'm hoping Mayo is still here this year, but I think TJ will be a fantastic shooter and combo for us, and Nunn would be a great addition, giving us maybe a great two-freshmen punch (though neither he nor Burton would be needed heavily with this team).

And I'm not even including a few guys on this list...DW, Mellow, Ferguson, and the walk-on sharpshooter, Jake Thomas. Of course, maybe that's because for Nunn to be here, someone else I've mentioned won't be. But regardless I think that on paper this could be an unbelievable team, able to compete with the true top dogs of the college world. We'd have the length we've dreamed of for years (5 players 6'7"+), the depth to have 10 guys averaging double-digit minutes ala Syracuse, and two impact freshmen that don't need to have an instant impact for the team to be great.

And I know...appreciate the now. We have a good team with plenty of upside, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they do in the coming months, but with Buzz talking about a sixth year for Otule, it's hard not to dream of what might be in 2 years.

[bilsu]

I think Otule will still have some recovery time next year. His 6th year barring another injury will be when he really produces.

[UticaBusBarn]

It might be that it will be hard for Chris Otule to push out - so to speak - Davante Gardner from his starting job. It seems as though with each game Gardner is improving on offense and defense. The situation in a year could be that Otule is the "spot" player coming off the bench for defensive reasons, or to spell Davante.

[avid1010]

I don't know that we need any more production from Chris than what we were seeing when he was healthy this year.  I was thinking about MU's future during the game last night as well, and really next year is going to be so important as we have to see the development from our players that leads to a big season in 13-14.  I would imagine we'd return about 90% of our scoring and all the key parts of our defense for the 13-14 season.  

I'll be interested to see what Buzz does with the point guard position for the remainder of this year and next, as Junior is the only player that gets minutes that I see us having to replace...hoping Mayo doesn't try to jump early.  

If we're in the tourney next year, I really like our chances in 13-14.  The changing BEAST will also be present giving us an easier route to a BEAST championship if I have followed all of that correctly??

[brewcity77]

If both are healthy, Otule will always start over Gardner. His 7'5" wingspan and greater than 2" vertical give him a much, much better chance of winning the opening tip. For a stats geek like Buzz who values possessions, you always want the chance to have one more than the other team, which will keep Otule in the starting lineup any time he's 100%.

Gardner might overtake him in minutes, but I can't see any way they aren't averaging around the same number of minutes. That's why Otule and Gardner are such a great combination. They are diametric opposites. Neither can bring the skillset that the other does, and we're a better team when we have both of them there as options.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Not trying to be a dick, but Durley won't see the floor once they get into conf. play.

Buzz has shown that his rotations are 8 players (or less) in conf. play.

Nevertheless, Gardner and Otule are a nice combo.

[brewcity77]

Not trying to be a dick, but Durley won't see the floor once they get into conf. play.

Buzz has shown that his rotations are 8 players (or less) in conf. play.

Nevertheless, Gardner and Otule are a nice combo.

I don't necessarily think he'll see much, but this will be his sophomore year. I wouldn't include him in the 10+ mpg crowd, even by then, but I do think that he'll probably play 5-8 mpg in relief, and probably more in the non-con. And if one of the other two succumbs to injury, I love the idea of having a big man that has a little experience behind them on the bench.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I don't necessarily think he'll see much, but this will be his sophomore year. I wouldn't include him in the 10+ mpg crowd, even by then, but I do think that he'll probably play 5-8 mpg in relief, and probably more in the non-con. And if one of the other two succumbs to injury, I love the idea of having a big man that has a little experience behind them on the bench.

If there is an injury, he's play. If not, he won't touch the court. Similar to Jamail this year, who is riding the the bench.

Just not many minutes to go around in Big East play.

[mubb34]

wont Jake Thomas be a senior too? or was he a junior at South Dakota last year?

[avid1010]

If there is an injury, he's play. If not, he won't touch the court. Similar to Jamail this year, who is riding the the bench.

Just not many minutes to go around in Big East play.

never underestimate what 5 fouls are worth when it comes to centers...if he's serviceable, he'll serve a purpose at some point in time.

[MarquetteDano]

Thanks for whetting my appetite Brew.  That year does look good.

Have only watched the guy twice but I really, really believe Steve Taylor will be the star of the forward bunch by the time he is a sophomore.  He looks like a big time stud.

[avid1010]

Thanks for whetting my appetite Brew.  That year does look good.

Have only watched the guy twice but I really, really believe Steve Taylor will be the star of the forward bunch by the time he is a sophomore.  He looks like a big time stud.

never easy to compare to others, but how does he play the position?

[Markusquette]

wont Jake Thomas be a senior too? or was he a junior at South Dakota last year?

I think Jake only has one year with us.

[brewcity77]

I think Jake only has one year with us.

Thomas will be a junior next year and will be eligible for two years at MU.

[DCWarriors04]

With regards to Jake Thomas and our scholarship situation, wasn't he originally going to be a walk on?

[chapman]

I have a feeling Ferguson could be a good one.  Looks like he's producing well this season too, and Gardner's production as well as success of several local mid-majors that must have picked up some local talent makes me think Virginia is a decent place to find players.

With regards to Jake Thomas and our scholarship situation, wasn't he originally going to be a walk on?

Still will be.  Buzz gave him a scholarship for this year only since there had been two open scholarships and it was unlikely he would be using both for mid-year transfers.

[MarquetteDano]

never easy to compare to others, but how does he play the position?

Be interesting to see what position Steve Taylor plays at Marquette (a true power forward or more like a Lazar Hayward 3/4 with less ball handling).  Man, he is a really good rebounder.  Especially defensive rebounding (which we could really use this year).

A good free throw shooter and mid-range shooter.  I have heard he can hit threes but only saw him take a few in the game I saw live and other on tv.

Has one of those bodies you know he is going to be really built by the time he is a sophomore.  I can see 6'8" 235 by then.

EDIT: messed up his projected weight.

[Markusquette]

Thomas will be a junior next year and will be eligible for two years at MU.

Should have checked the table of course, haha.  Thanks for clearing it up.