Otule or Gardner?

[GGGG]

I appreciate these stats, but my only reservation is that Gardner's playing time mostly occured before BE play.  Per 40 stats also don't take conditioning into effect. 

If Gardner improves on the defensive end, I would have no problem giving him equal minutes to Otule.

[Daniel]

I wish that either Otule or Gardner could play anywhere near 40 minutes - that would be nice.  Or combined.  But Garnder is more of a defensive liability that Otule.  And our problem this year is not us scoring, it's stopping the other team from scoring.  Gardner's edge on offensive rebounds is nice - we need that, but overall, he will get beat more thatn Otule on defense.  I think.

[willie warrior]

I appreciate these stats, but my only reservation is that Gardner's playing time mostly occured before BE play.  Per 40 stats also don't take conditioning into effect. 

If Gardner improves on the defensive end, I would have no problem giving him equal minutes to Otule.

Agreed they do not take conditioning into effect. I think you would also agree that neither of them could go 40 minutes per game--or 39 or 38, etc. And yes, likely most of Gardner's minutes were before BEast play, however, Otule is only averaging 15 minutes per game in Beast (Gardner is about 6), so why not give more of those down minutes to Gardner? We need big presence in games, and if Otule is getting 15 to 20 minutes, then give Gardner more minutes, to keep a big presence.

[GGGG]

Because I don't think Buzz is in love with either one of them and would rather go small.

[CTWarrior]

I've thought a lot about this question, and answering it is like deciding if you'd rather get hit in the head with a shovel or a baseball bat.  Neither option is particularly pleasant.

Otule plays good initial D but can't rebound, and is not very useful on offense, other than occupying a big defender.

Gardner has excellent hands and a soft touch, but he can't jump over the foul line so he has trouble getting shots off against athletic big men.  He's not the interior defender that Otule is and cannot provide help defense the way Otule does.  He's a better rebounder than Otule in the same way than Danny Devito is taller than Rhea Pearlman. 

I think they both will get better in the coming seasons. 

It all depends on what you are trying to get out of this season. 

If you want to win today, you spot them like Buzz does now, and make use of them to switch up the looks you give the other team.  For instance, once UConn figured out what to do about Butler in the post, you bring back Otule, have him occupy a big defender and run the other guys off screens like we were doing at the beginning of the game.

If you want to build for a future where they are key cogs, you play them 15-20 minutes each, you make sure they get the ball in the low post several times a game and make sure they are aware that they are expected to make good decisions with the ball, which may include kicking it back out for a jump shot or finding a cutter. 

[willie warrior]

Because I don't think Buzz is in love with either one of them and would rather go small.

And how is that working out:
Pitt: Loss
Louisville: Loss
ND: 2nd game loss
UConn: Loss
Not saying small does not ever work, but it isn't working right now.

[muchamps]

And how is that working out:
Pitt: Loss
Louisville: Loss
ND: 2nd game loss
UConn: Loss
Not saying small does not ever work, but it isn't working right now.

Right on Willie! If we want to win anything, Buzz needs to get Gardner 20 plus min a game. I've caught allot of hell on this board talking about this since Oct. But if nothing changes we will be 8 & 10 at best and going to the NIT. And Gardners chance for experience will be wasted, pushed to next season.

[MerrittsMustache]

Right on Willie! If we want to win anything, Buzz needs to get Gardner 20 plus min a game. I've caught allot of hell on this board talking about this since Oct. But if nothing changes we will be 8 & 10 at best and going to the NIT. And Gardners chance for experience will be wasted, pushed to next season.

From this day forward, Marquette should only play freshmen and sophomores! Not just this season, but in all seasons going forward. Get those kids some experience! After all, it's better to get blown out by playing guys who aren't ready to play than to play close, hard-fought games featuring the best 7-8 players on the team.

[tower912]

Right on Willie! If we want to win anything, Buzz needs to get Gardner 20 plus min a game. I've caught allot of hell on this board talking about this since Oct. But if nothing changes we will be 8 & 10 at best and going to the NIT. And Gardners chance for experience will be wasted, pushed to next season.

You have 10 posts, several of which are about a job.   You've been talking about this since October?    Under what name?  I've read your 10 posts.   You mention it once in December.    Does no one actually watch Gardner when he is in the game?    He is making progress but he is still slow.   I think Buzz said on his last radio show that if he had known Otule was going to stay healthy he would have considered redshirting DG.    He has come miles in his body shape and conditioning, but he still has miles to go.    By his junior year, he should be a force.    That is why I hope, with our last two schollies, we get the best JUCO combo guard out there and a 7 ft project that we can redshirt and have ready in 3 years. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

And how is that working out:
Pitt: Loss
Louisville: Loss
ND: 2nd game loss
UConn: Loss
Not saying small does not ever work, but it isn't working right now.

I would add the Zags and Wisky to this...Buzz went small and those two also separated from MU.  That said, small ball has worked very well at times and for stretches.  

[willie warrior]

I would add the Zags and Wisky to this...Buzz went small and those two also separated from MU.  That said, small ball has work very well at times and for stretches. 

Was just referencing some recent games.

[Marquette84]

Against UConn, we wound up building a lead with Otule in the game, and falling behind when he was on the bench.  His +/- was +7 when in the game and -15 when he was on the bench.

Outside of the Vanderbilt game, he really hasn't hurt us significantly while in the lineup, and there are a handful of games (like 2nd Notre Dame, UConn, Louisville) where there is a significant upside when he's in compared to when he's out.

As people demonstrate by posting his scoring and rebounding stats, he's not suffing his own stats.  But as a team we seem to be playing better (outscoring the opponent) as of late when Otule is in the game.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Against UConn, we wound up building a lead with Otule in the game, and falling behind when he was on the bench.  His +/- was +7 when in the game and -15 when he was on the bench.

Outside of the Vanderbilt game, he really hasn't hurt us significantly while in the lineup, and there are a handful of games (like 2nd Notre Dame, UConn, Louisville) where there is a significant upside when he's in compared to when he's out.

As people demonstrate by posting his scoring and rebounding stats, he's not suffing his own stats.  But as a team we seem to be playing better (outscoring the opponent) as of late when Otule is in the game.

I think you are confused.  Vanderbilt was one of Chris's best games both offensively and defensively.