[Rosiak's Blog] Mbao leaves program

[NersEllenson]

??? 

Not sure what you didn't understand about my post?  Buzz has said he's never thrown a player off the team for lack of production -cited Otule, Fulce, EWill - He did say that as long as you are doing your best everyday to be your best, there will always be your spot.  He also said a player needs to earn their scholarship, and if they aren't doing everything they can to be their best, they don't necessarily deserve their scholarship for 4 years.  I'm sure it was put to Yous in no uncertain terms that this is what is expected of you, and if you don't fulfill it - you'd be best to transfer or run the risk of your scholarship not being renewed.

[avid1010]

Don't think Buzz will come out and say "You and your weak game Gets ta steppin Mbao  " in the official press release.

But why would Buzz then say he was disappointed that he has decided to take his playing career elsewhere.  Obviously it could mean many things, but if it means Buzz actually told Mbao to get lost because he wasn't good enough no matter how hard he worked, his statement is nothing short of a lie.  If Buzz is going to talk character, he better lead by example. 

[Blackhat]

Buzz is disappointed Mbao decided to leave  (after he was strongly hinted that he wouldn't play at MU).   

These are coaches, not priests. 

[rocky_warrior]

But why would Buzz then say he was disappointed that he has decided to take his playing career elsewhere. 

Imagine this conversation, "Yous, I like you.  I want you to stay at Marquette.  However, either you're going to have to work a lot harder, or find another place to play"**

In which case, Buzz could still say: "We are disappointed that he has decided to continue his playing career elsewhere"

** not an actual quote. no idea if anything like this happened.  just an example.

[bamamarquettefan]

Sorry to see you go Yous, and all the best.  

He seemed very likeable and seemed to be trying out there.  The big red flag will always be that post on him scoring his first basket ever IN PRACTICE a good bit into the system.

I just hope he has fond memories of Marquette as a student.  If that is the case, then I'm glad he came for a year.  Obviously he didn't have a big impact, but he was replacing an empty spot on the roster, and at least blocked a couple of shots and got in a few minutes at the top of that crazy defense to disrupt guards.  I'd rather give a good kid a few minutes on the court when we have a short bench then have an extra empty spot on the bench.

[rocky_warrior]

Schollie table needs an update...or should we just wait until Buzz is done recruiting for 2010?

Sorry, I've been slacking on that, will get the updates in tonight.

[79Warrior]

My belief is that this was a situation where Mbao wasn't willing to put in the work required for him to become a player at MU.  Or at very least there was a difference of opinion between him and Buzz as to his level of commitment to become the best he could be.  Wish the best to Yous, as with enough effort and work he seems to posses enough athletic ability to turn into a player.

Bingo! Buzz is all about the effort.

[flash]

Mbao's transfer is not a huge spurise to me and it shouldnt be to anyone, he was gone as soon as we signed Gardner

[rocky_warrior]

Sorry, I've been slacking on that, will get the updates in tonight.

Ok, Scholarship table is updated....so far...
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8

Also, as I found out while editing, use care in differentiating Devonte (Newbill) and Davante (Gardner).

At least, I think I've got it right now...

[ChicosBailBonds]

My question is this: of all the guys TC recruited who couldn't play how many did you question before they arrived on campus?

Three players for sure and one assistant coach (Rab) that I can think of.  Carlton and Trend, though at least with Trend I liked his athleticism.  Kinsella was another, seemed like a good kid, smart, etc, but with his skill set I didn't understand why we brought him in. 

Mbao didn't have anything but the height and the biggest red flag I had was the institution he came from, Stoneridge Prep.  Yes, it's accredited but has had shady draped all over it for a long time.

[ChicosBailBonds]

bingo...

So strange since you had him pegged as All Big East in a few years.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Did you bring this up when Dale Dabone signed Lazar? Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, MA is a cesspool.

Who is Dale Dabone?  Notre Dame Prep, were they under NCAA scrutiny like Stoneridge Prep was?  Diploma Mill controversy had a number of schools on it, Stoneridge Prep was on the list.  Notre Dame Prep was not.

[4everwarriors]

To me the biggest question left unanswered surrounding Mbao is"

     What the hell kind of professional team was he playing on in Spain?


Was it a professional team of wine makers, leather crafters, or matador wannabes?

[Tugg Speedman]

A while back it was speculated that McMorrow was getting better (physically) and might be a possibility again.  Is this definitely off the table?

[Tugg Speedman]

By the way ... here are Mabo's career stats

http://www.gomarquette.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/marq/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/mbao_career10

Total games = 10
Total minutes = 60 (15= Pres, 12 = SD, 8 = N. Fla)
Total points = 1 (free throw against Grambling in two attempts and a missed fg against South Dakota)
Total Rebounds = 7 (2 against N. Florida, 1 in five other games)
Total Assists = 4 (2 = SD)
Total Blocks = 5 (1 in five different games)
Total Turnovers = 2 (1 = SD and 1 = Prov)
Total Fouls = 13 (4 = SD, 4 = N. Fla)

[Benny B]

A while back it was speculated that McMorrow was getting better (physically) and might be a possibility again.  Is this definitely off the table?

Considering it was merely speculation, I wouldn't say it was even on the table to begin with.

[Hards Alumni]

hold it all you want....give the kid a couaple of years and 25 pounds and i stand by my original statement.  the kid has incredible athleticism for a kid that big.  he may have not have had the mental toughness or drive, we will never know.  

Any idiot like yourself can make comments like this after the fact.  Buzz clearly saw a tall athletic kid and chose to give him a chance.  i saw the same potential.  Any idiot can stay silent and then critique others comments after the fact.  you should be proud of yourself.  

I apologize for not openly criticizing the kid.  Personally, I don't do that sort of thing on a public board so that I can play the I told you so game a few months later... I just don't get my rocks off that way.  On the same wavelength, I don't put RIDICULOUS expectations on a kid that was a total unknown and came from a questionable prep school.

I guess my reactions have always been more tempered and outlook a little more skeptical than most people.  I think most people saw Mbao as a reach when he was signed.  You didn't.

[willie warrior]

Track record for Buzz and his Big recruits is definitely abysmal:
M. Clark: working on the chain gang
Otule: 2 years of injuries
Roseboro: skipped town pretty quickly
Mbao: in way over his head and injuries
McMorrow: not sure he was Buzz's but health/injury problems
E. Williams (some may not consider him a big): jury still out on him

[Tugg Speedman]

Track record for Buzz and his Big recruits is definitely abysmal:
M. Clark: working on the chain gang
Otule: 2 years of injuries
Roseboro: skipped town pretty quickly
Mbao: in way over his head and injuries
McMorrow: not sure he was Buzz's but health/injury problems
E. Williams (some may not consider him a big): jury still out on him

It only takes one decent big recruit to change all this ....

[Canadian Dimes]

To me the biggest question left unanswered surrounding Mbao is"

     What the hell kind of professional team was he playing on in Spain?


Was it a professional team of wine makers, leather crafters, or matador wannabes?

$ ever are you not up to speed on how the Europeans run there club teams?  basketball like soccer typically have a dozen or more teams mnay with players that are teenagers or younger , most dont get payed. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

It only takes one decent big recruit to change all this ....

We've heard that before, for the last decade +

[Tugg Speedman]

We've heard that before, for the last decade +

Only since 2004.  RJax and Jim Mac showed that MU could recruit big men less than 10 years ago.

Further, one could argue that it's only been two years ... Barro and Burke were serviceable big men in the last few years.

[Golden Avalanche]

Track record for Buzz and his Big recruits is definitely abysmal:
M. Clark: working on the chain gang
Otule: 2 years of injuries
Roseboro: skipped town pretty quickly
Mbao: in way over his head and injuries
McMorrow: not sure he was Buzz's but health/injury problems
E. Williams (some may not consider him a big): jury still out on him

JMO, but Clark, Roseboro, and Williams hardly qualify for "bigs" in my book.

[MuMark]

Jimmy Mac has been gone for 16 years dude............

[Tugg Speedman]

Jimmy Mac has been gone for 16 years dude............

Yes and from 1988 (starting with Jim Mac) to 2008 (Burke) were were able to get good to serviceable big men.  Around here one gets the impression that MU has been unable to recover from losing George Mikan to DePaul.

We have a history of decent big men (shall I go back to Lucas?) and it will only take one decent recruit to wipe out all the angst about the lack of height.  Is Gardner that recruit?