did Fulce and/or Otule play?

[mug644]

I didn't get to see or hear the awesome game tonight (way to go DJ!), but the early box scores seem to show that neither Fulce or Otule played. Is that right? Any ideas why? Sounded like Buzz said they were sore from playing the other day, but didn't indicate that they wouldn't/couldn't play.

[79Warrior]

Neither one saw a second of action.

[🏀]

No. They aren't ready for that game.

[Tampa Warrior]

Neither one saw a second of action.

Correct.

But Cubillan made an appearance tonight.

[Badgerhater]

Buzz in postgame stated flatly that they are not ready to play on the road against an ACC opponent in a tight game.  They have missed so much practice that they really mess up the flow of the team and are still learning.  He said that yesterday was the first day that both participated in a full and complete practice since their injuries.

I expect to see them to play a good amount against Presbyterian.

Fortunately for MU, Burke and Hazel played well.

[esotericmindguy]

Burke played well?  He was awful, that hook shot that went was the luckiest shot I've ever seen....fugly.  Hazel should start and Otule should be ahead of Burke, at least Chris has height.  DJ should have had at least 2 more assists this game if Dwight could finish.

[nola03]

No. They aren't ready for that game.

No qualms about tonight but there really isn't a road game where they can be "eased in" to the action. They're going to have to be thrown in the fire.

Rutgers sucks but the RAC always gets up for a ranked opponent. PC kicked our ass two years ago in the Dunkin'. And then we head to South Bend.

crap, starting out at home with Nova, Cincy, and WVU doesn't exactly seem like "ease in" time either.

[tower912]

They will be thrown into the fire in conference play.   But they will at least have one more cupcake and 8-10 more practices to get some feel back.    And we are going to need them.   

[NCMUFan]

Esotericmind, do you track do posts that gives Dwight Burke compliments?  No one else seems to fly off the handle on a compliment.  The 5 is our weakest position by far.  We know Burke is playing to the best of his ability.  Go Burke and by the way "Good Job!"

[TallTitan34]

Esotericmind, do you track do posts that gives Dwight Burke compliments?  No one else seems to fly off the handle on a compliment.  The 5 is our weakest position by far.  We know Burke is playing to the best of his ability.  Go Burke and by the way "Good Job!"

+1

If he wasn't trying you could get on the guy but he's clearly trying his best.  We all know that we are weak in the 5 spot but Burke is the best person for the job right now.  You can't not give him credit for the stop at the end.

[esotericmindguy]

Rudy tried hard as well, doesn't mean he played well....I'm sure he's a good guy but that guy is a total liability and can't finish.  At least Hazel can put the ball in the hole and block a shot here and there.  And at least Otule has height, just cannot figure out why Dwight plays so much.   Just my opinion.

[CTWarrior]

just cannot figure out why Dwight plays so much.

Burke plays so much because he is the only guy on the roster who provides even a semblance of post defense.  He does keep opposing centers from just camping out on the low block and he's not terrible guarding some bigger guys on the perimeter, as he is fairly mobile for a guy his size.  All in all a C or C+ interior defender, while the rest of our interior defenders are, in the words of Eric Cartman, check minuses.

Hazel has shown the better ability to catch and go up for a shot, but he really isn't that great at it and he is just 5 fouls on the defensive end, though he contributes the occasional help side blocked shot.

It is, of course, frustrating watching us go 4 on 5 with Burke on the offensive end.  He has trouble catching the ball (a right-handed guy with two left hands is the best way to describe it), has trouble gathering himself when he does catch the ball, and then has trouble getting the ball up to the basket.  He gets so few shots because it seems that whenever he actually gets to the point where he is taking the ball to the basket he gets fouled and can't even get the ball out of his hand, let alone to the backboard or rim.  Then he is a sub 50% foul shooter (two huge FTs last night not withstanding).  He is not an adept offensive rebounder so, as Rick Majerus would say, "He is bankrupt oh-ffensively."

On the plus side, he gives 100% effort (no small thing) and he did not attend the Chris Grimm School of Moving Picks, so at least he's got that going for him. 

[ATWizJr]

esoteric- did  you see the game? 

Burke did a nice job of defending in the post, including slapping the ball away in NC State's last possession without fouling, the ball then being quickly grabbed by DJ who took the ball upcourt, called time out, then hit the winning shot.  That play was huge and you have Burke to thank for it.

As for ugly hook shots, Thank God.  Last I saw, they counted the same as throw down tomahawk dunks.  We needed every point and would have lost without Burke's contribution.

Thanks Dwight!