Sounds like Mbakwe might leave UMN...

[BrewCity83]

We've had our fair share of bad luck as well. I'd put number one on that list the McMorrow injury in Buzz's tenure (I might be missing some other event, but it really sounded like he could have been a heck of a player). Also, the injuries to Cadougan and Otule.

Don't forget the late season injuries to Diener, McNeal, and James that were right on time to mess up any chance of postseason success.

[Marquette84]

Oh my freakin God!

My guess would be disappointed but probably not shocked. I then acknowledge that should you have evidence to the fact that Buzz was shocked I'm sure you'll provide it. You present evidence to the fact that he was shocked. My GUESS was wrong. End of story.

"Shocked" means that Buzz didn't expect Mbakwe to leave.

If Buzz expected Mbakwe to transfer, he
a) would not have wasted the AD budget on summer school for a player who was about to transfer; and
b) would have signed another player in April to fill the scholarship that was not going to be used by a player about to transfer.
c) would not have signed McMorrow, since McMorrow could not have filled in for the departing Mbakwe.


However, because Buzz allowed Mbakwe go to class in the summer, use MU facilities, and provided access to resources such as coaches, medical staff and tutors; and more importantly, did not even attempt to recruit a player that could replace him, I would conclude that the only logical answer is that Buzz was indeed shocked by Mbakwe's departure.

Either that, or his recruiting strategy was incredibly inept.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/blogs/99599104.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUo8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe recently said his life was threatened following the assault of a woman who said he punched her multiple times last April near their Miami apartment complex.

Earlier this week, Mbakwe said people tied to the alleged victim sent him messages via Facebook shortly after the assault, which prompted a felony assault charge against the former St. Bernard's/Henry Sibley star. Mbakwe is scheduled to go to trial next month. He has maintained that he's innocent.

"Some of her people, they sent me some threatening messages on Facebook," Mbakwe said. "They roamed around the neighborhood searching for me. One message said that 'I'm a dead man walking.'"

A Sunday story in the Memphis Commercial Appeal published parts of the alleged victim's December 2009 deposition. The paper also printed her name. Mbakwe has repeatedly stated this summer that he may transfer to Memphis.

According to the story, the woman said a friend showed her pictures of the Miami Dade basketball team, which Mbakwe played for during the 2008-09 season, on her iPhone shortly after she was assaulted.

"Right when I saw him, I recognized him," [the woman], according to the Memphis newspaper.

The woman's friends searched for Mbakwe but never found him.

Mbakwe said he wasn't running from police after the assault but worried about his safety when he received the threats. According to the Commercial Appeal, the alleged victim told authorities that she was unaware of any threats made against Mbakwe.

As far as basketball goes, Mbakwe said he's still "50/50" on returning to the Gophers this fall. "[Memphis] is still high on my list," he said.

But a number of recent developments have certainly complicated a potential move to Memphis.

His trial has been moved to late August. While all parties say that the trial will go forward next month, I've been hearing the same promise for the last year. It's hard to believe that this trial will be completed before the start of the next season, based on all of the maneuvering that's happened so far.

He'll need an NCAA waiver to play next season if he decides to transfer. That process will take time, something another trial move will take away from him.

Mbakwe said he hopes to make a decision about his future in the coming weeks.

"[The new trial date] makes it difficult, but I'll probably be more clear about what I'm going to do in the next couple weeks," Mbakwe said.

Memphis self-reported a secondary violation last week after Tigers head coach Josh Pastner attended one of Mbakwe's recent Howard Pulley games during a Twin Cities recruiting trip. And Matthew Dunn, one of Mbakwe's coaches at Miami Dade, now works for Memphis as the Tigers' practice facility and equipment manager and is also a key witness in Mbakwe's trial.

But Mbakwe doesn't think his relationship with Dunn, the coach's connection to his criminal case and Memphis' interest in his services will affect his legal situation.

"He's been one of my witnesses from Day 1," Mbakwe said. "It wasn't nothing like .. he's recruiting me [to come to Memphis]. That's not the deal at all."

[Blackhat]

Man, what a loser.   But he was a "4 year high school recruit" so it's all good.

[reinko]

Man, what a loser.   But he was a "4 year high school recruit" so it's all good.

http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true

[wadesworld]

Man, what a loser.   But he was a "4 year high school recruit" so it's all good.

Precisely.  I have no problem with Crean bringing in guys like this.  They provide stability to the program because they are here for 4 years and don't have any issues.  Buzz needs to figure this out.  JUCOs are big time risks.  They are bad students and bad people who clearly have problems in their lives.

Mbakwe>>>>>>>Butler
Mbakwe>>>>>>>DJO

The guy's a class act.  4 year high school player, never had to go the JUCO route or even the prep school route.  Great player, great person.

LOL

[4everwarriors]

Tommy Crean, the master of illusion.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Was Trevor Tubbied?

[ChicosBailBonds]

One of the reasons why Memphis and Kentucky can rebuild so fast....their administrations let them take guys that are awaiting trial for sexual assault.  I'm surprised neither school has offered Monterale Clark yet.

[MedicineHatSpanker]

Was Trevor Tubbied?

I believe he was "Tubed"

[4everwarriors]

From what we've seen of Mbakwe athletically, he is nothing special. Why would Pastner even offer. Trevor would probably be about a 22 year old sophomore.

[ATL MU Warrior]

From what we've seen of Mbakwe athletically, he is nothing special. Why would Pastner even offer. Trevor would probably be about a 22 year old sophomore.

Probably because by the time he's done he'll be a 7-year HS player...now that's stability!

[GGGG]

From what we've seen of Mbakwe athletically, he is nothing special. Why would Pastner even offer. Trevor would probably be about a 22 year old sophomore.

What have we seen from him athletically? 

[MUSF]

I think its fair to say when a player who was counted on to play a major role leaves the day before classes start any coach would be shocked and disappointed by the news.

Why is this even a subject of debate?

Because if Chico's said the sky was blue, Lenny would argue that it"s actually aqua.

Of course at that point Marquette 84 would give us a lengthy definition of both blue and aqua and a statistical analysis of how many times the two words were used interchangeably.  Ners would then become outraged at the insinuation that Buzz would ever mistakenly define the sky as blue and demand that all attacks on Buzz's character cease immediately.  This would prompt Canadian Dimes to pound incoherently on his key board.

I love MUScoop in the summer.

[MUfan12]

Because if Chico's said the sky was blue, Lenny would argue that it"s actually aqua.

Of course at that point Marquette 84 would give us a lengthy definition of both blue and aqua and a statistical analysis of how many times the two words were used interchangeably.  Ners would then become outraged at the insinuation that Buzz would ever mistakenly define the sky as blue and demand that all attacks on Buzz's character cease immediately.  This would prompt Canadian Dimes to pound incoherently on his key board.

I love MUScoop in the summer.

Hilarious and so accurate. Well played.

[MarquetteDano]

Because if Chico's said the sky was blue, Lenny would argue that it"s actually aqua.

Of course at that point Marquette 84 would give us a lengthy definition of both blue and aqua and a statistical analysis of how many times the two words were used interchangeably.  Ners would then become outraged at the insinuation that Buzz would ever mistakenly define the sky as blue and demand that all attacks on Buzz's character cease immediately.  This would prompt Canadian Dimes to pound incoherently on his key board.

I love MUScoop in the summer.

LOOOOOOOOOL! Best. Post. Of. Year.

[Jay Bee]

Kentucky says bye bye to Darnell Dodson tonight.......

[Jay Bee]

Mbakwe has been 'OK'd' / cleared by the AD at Minnesota...

http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=204976867

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Aren't they worried he might defect during the "Tour of Canada"?

[ecompt]

Nice reporting job. No mention of the charges he was facing.