Now that we have beat the who's better Burke/Otule to death...

[denverMU]

let's discuss the real issue.  We need Otule to improve greatly in order to have a chance of winning a majority of our last five games and we need Otule to make a deep run in the tournament.  I would submit that Otule now is where Burke was at the beginning of the season.  Burke has definitely improved to a season best performance (8 pts 4 reb) against Rutgers.  He has done that because, of among other things, he has started all our games and received significant playing time.  That is exactly what Otule needs, playing time!  Every chance Buzz gets he should have Otule in, gaining valuable experience, and please don't take him out (after about 20 seconds) because he committs a silly foul.  If that is how we substitute Hayward would never play.

[79Warrior]

let's discuss the real issue.  We need Otule to improve greatly in order to have a chance of winning a majority of our last five games and we need Otule to make a deep run in the tournament.  I would submit that Otule now is where Burke was at the beginning of the season.  Burke has definitely improved to a season best performance (8 pts 4 reb) against Rutgers.  He has done that because, of among other things, he has started all our games and received significant playing time.  That is exactly what Otule needs, playing time!  Every chance Buzz gets he should have Otule in, gaining valuable experience, and please don't take him out (after about 20 seconds) because he committs a silly foul.  If that is how we substitute Hayward would never play.

I think Otule is no where near where Burke is defensively. Not even close.

[mosarsour]

I think Otule is no where near where Burke is defensively. Not even close.

+1...DB has been playing very well...or to use Buzz's words...DB has been playing "at an ultra high level" on the defensive end recently.

[denverMU]

I said that up front.  That is my point, he needs the game time, playing time, experience to improve just as Burke has!

[mu-rara]

I said that up front.  That is my point, he needs the game time, playing time, experience to improve just as Burke has!

Buzz needs to pick and choose where Otule gets that experience.  We can't sacrifice a win to get him the experience

[Murffieus]

Forget about Otule for this year----he missed the development practices of Nov/Dec-----as a rookie that is very hard to overcome----based on last night he doesn't have a clue and won't have until next year----good prospect though for next several seasons though.

[chapman]

We will need the big body to win games against some of the elite teams in this conference.  I'd say Buzz is working him in the right way.  He's a gamble, but he still needs to be in there so long as he's not making it possible to lose the game.  Burke's done more than just play in games this year; you can just ask Buzz for the exact number of practices that both Burke and Otule have completed.  He has room to improve, but he will keep getting better.  No way I would sit Otule completely, and no way anyone else thinks so either before last night.

[MR.HAYWARD]

OMG

are you kidding me denver!!??

you state.." I would submit that Otule now is where Burke was at the beginning of the season.  "

I would agree if you said the 2006 season.  If he plays like Burke did his junior year next year we are going to be really really good next year.  My guess is he is at least two years away from playing where burke was 8 weeks agao.

He is a freshman big not rated in the top 100 and playing like one.  He should in a perfect worl be redshirted or aat a minimum not hit the court except in the preconference during mop up duty.  By we have no other options again.  It is not his fault. 

[StillWarriors]

We'll need Otule's height, and Fulce's athleticism/length. Without them against the big boys in the BEast we'd be lucky to steal a game. No way Buzz can write them off for this season. Not that they'll contribute a ton, but we can't expect to get anywhere in late Feb-March with a rotation of Burke/Hazel/Hayward at 4-5. We don't need a ton from those guys, but some mins and an interior presence will be necessary when we hit the meat of the schedule.

[ErickJD08]

Hayward, you are right that Burke is the best option.  But to say Burke is so advanced is pretty bold.  Otule should get time, not in the expense of a win obviously, but I think with some hard work and experience, he can get pretty darn close to where Burke is.  To reiterate a statement made on this board, we have about three games in the next two weeks.  AND those two games are against teams we are favored in so perhaps some good PT.  I hope players, like Otule and Fulce, and coaches use this opportunity so that these guys can play a little catch up.   

[CTWarrior]

I hate to admit it, since I've never been a fan of Dwight Burke other than he seems to be a likable enough kid, but Burke the player is growing on me.  He is still probably the worst starting C/PF in the Big East, but he does at least play very solid defense because he is strong, understands what he is doing and is relatively quick on his feet.  He has bad hands and will never be a real viable option on offense, but we don't need him much for that.

Basically, on most nights we will only need the combo of Hayward/Burke/Hazel/Otule to not get outscored by more than 15 and not to get outrebounded by more than 7 by our opponent's best interior pair and their backups to give us a good chance to win.  Hayward generally gets his points and gives them back on defense, so it boils down to the other three just not getting completely dominate. 

Otule can do some things against the smaller teams where he can use his sheer size to his advantage, but against some big athletic guys like Rutgers has (and many other Big East teams have), he looks a little overmatched.  Given the toughness of our remaining games, getting him more than 6-8 minutes a game will be detrimental to the health of our record.

[denverMU]

OMG

Are you kidding me HAYWARD?


First, I like Burke, he should remain starter, and he has improved greatly this year.

Second, take a look at Burke's first 5 games(against cupcakes).  He averaged more personnal fouls than points and rebounds.  That is not a high bar to get to.  To compare, in the 4 games Otule has played in, he has scored more points(than Burke in 5 games 11 vs 9), averaged 1 less rebound and 11 less personnal fouls, in 5 less minutes a game.

Finally, we need experienced big men to get our team where we all want it to be.  Able to make a deep run in March.

[ATWizJr]

guys, thanks for pointing out the obvious to Hayward.

[Badgerhater920]

We'll need Otule's height, and Fulce's athleticism/length. Without them against the big boys in the BEast we'd be lucky to steal a game.

You think Otule ad Fulce are ready to put us over the top in a game against UConn or Pitt? No way they will be ready. Fulce is still hurt and Otule is beyond clueless on defense. Can they contribute? Marginally. Buzz is doing the right thing here. They'll get more time against stinkers, even though there are only 2 or so of them left on the schedule.

[nyg]

Those last five teams not only have one excellent big man, but two and even three.  Buzz will never play Burke and Otule or even Hazel at the same time, leaving Hayward to cover the second guy.  Forget Fulce, I believe he is out of the picture. Butler is just getting adjusted to playing Div I ball and defense. Thats the real match up problems.  If Hayward gets in foul trouble, like he did against Rutger's bigger frontline, then its real trouble.

Example, UCONN just inserted 6ft 9 Stanley Robinson in the starting lineup and bringing Austrie off the bench.  Robinson starts along with 7ft 3 Thabeet and 6ft 8 Jeff Adrian, how do you match up with that, you can't. Now that will be interesting to watch.

Georgetown has 6ft 10 Monroe and 6ft 9 Summers. PITT has Blair, Young and Biggs; Louisville has Samuels and Clark and so on....like ND, Cuse......good grief.

Burke, Otule and Hazel are not even close to the above mentioned players in ability and talent.  Yes, its been said many times they are "role" players, no need to score, just a rebound here or there, have plenty of fouls to give now, etc, etc.

Bottom line is those remaining teams don't have a Mick Cronin or a Fred Hill coaching them.  Thompson, Pitino, Boehim, Dixon all know how to beat us and with our deficiencies at center and power forward, with no real bench, it will be a huge hurdle to overcome.  But with a big heart, a basket here or there, a rebound, and a few fouls to give, who knows.

 

[bilsu]

Otule is definately not ready, but should improve as the season goes on. Buzz should of redshirted Fulce.

[bs4173]

Otule is definately not ready, but should improve as the season goes on. Buzz should of redshirted Fulce.

He still can redshirt Fulce, right? Fulce has played 28 minutes total this season. He's only appeared in 3 games out of 16 so far. The NCAA rule, I believe, is that one can't have played in more than 20% of the total contests.

[Badgerhater]

He can perhaps apply for a medical redshirt...but I believe a regular redshirt is void after a single minute of play.