Chris Otule is the difference this year

[Doris Burkes Thong]

I really like how that kid has progressed. He's not quite all they way there yet, but he's sure as hell came a long ways since his first year at MU. His presence in the lane and ability to score on the block is something we haven't had at MU in awhile from a legit big man. I betcha he's All-Big East by his senior year.

[Jam Chowder]

I am excited this kid will have another couple years here. Seems like a great guy, works his tail off, and is making HUGE strides.

[mviale]

he was dominant in the 1st half and that big lead kept us in the 2nd half.

[Jacks DC]

Loved the play where he got the offensive board and gathered and laid it in instead of trying to tip it.  Also getting better on free throws.

[PaintTouches]

I will agree with most everyone and lavish heaps of praises on Otule who really has played his tail off in every single game and improved tremendously as a player, but DJO is our difference maker. When he is firing on all cylinders we are a top 25 team easily. Unfortunately, he hasn't done it consistently and as such the team has had a lot of up and downs. A confident DJO is what we need down the stretch.

[Aughnanure]

I think he is the best big man we've had since I enrolled at Marquette ('05). I have a  member that also went to Marquette before me (Wade yrs), so I rooted for MU when Jackson was there....but besides that experience, Otule seems to be the best force inside since I first got to Milwaukee.

[beaconwarrior]

I love Otule's uncanny ability to hit every part of the gym on his FTs and make them go in.

Fear the goggles.

[GGGG]

Chris is also more athletic than I gave him credit for earlier this year.  His hands aren't great but he can leap and cover space.  He's not a "stiff" by any means.

[TallTitan34]

I'm hoping Chris and Devante going against each other in practice will make them both better as well. 

[radome]

I agree with the comments on Otule and DJO but I am beginning to think that the player that determines whether we win or lose is solidly on the shoulders of Buycks. When he is on everyone else seems to follow, I guess that is what a PG does. If Jr. continues to progress maybe it will be him.

[TheDOC816]

I agree with the comments on Otule and DJO but I am beginning to think that the player that determines whether we win or lose is solidly on shoulders of Buycks. When he is on everyone else seems to follow, I guess that is what a PG does. If Jr. continues to progress maybe it will be him.

So you're talking about the times when his bad shots go in right?

[Wade for President]

I love Otule's uncanny ability to hit every part of the gym on his FTs and make them go in.

Ha!  Sooooooo true.

[GGGG]

I don't think Buycks takes many bad shots.  For instance, I can think of maybe one "bad" shot he took last night.  He just hasn't been hitting his shots lately.  

DJO...now there is a dude who takes some bad shots.

[Boozemon Barro]

Imagine how good he'd be if he had two eyes. I would think it'd be tough to play basketball with no depth perception.

[MUBurrow]

So you're talking about the times when his bad shots go in right?

People are probably getting sick of reading me say this, but again, this is a function of Buycks role in the offense.  Watch who always gets the ball when the shot clock runs low, or who gets isolation situations when the offense stagnates.  Whether by design or not, DJO hasn't been that guy this year, its been DB.  His "bad shots" are often the offensive option as opposed to no shot.  I think the team has a lot more faith in DB than most here, and his relative lack of offensive conscience is likely a huge reason for that. I would venture that 80% of his bad shots are a function of bad possessions by the whole offense.

[bobnoxious]

+1

[Stretchdeltsig]

Agree that Chris Otule makes Marquette a much more competitive team.  It's been great to watch him develop.  The more he plays the better he gets.  Also, think its important to play Gardner in each game.  The more he plays the more effective he is. 

[radome]

relative lack of offensive conscience is likely a huge reason for that.  

What does that mean? I take it to mean that you believe that getting stuck with a poor shot and missing it, will not get his head down. If that is what you are saying, I think it is very astute and makes a lot sense for Buzz to do so because I think DJO is much streakier and could be hurt by the misses.

[Daniel]

Otule's last few games have been been huge for the team and for him - more rebounds, more scolring, more defensive presence.  I am thrilled with how Chris is playing!  Kudos to him for all his hard work!

[MUBurrow]

What does that mean? I take it to mean that you believe that getting stuck with a poor shot and missing it, will not get his head down. If that is what you are saying, I think it is very astute and makes a lot sense for Buzz to do so because I think DJO is much streakier and could be hurt by the misses.

That Buzz sets that up by design out of consideration for DJO is actually a great angle on that I hadn't even thought of. I think as far as DB, you articulated what I was trying to say even better than I did. I just think DB is one of those guys who, if he misses 99 straight shots, is sure his 100th is going in.  I think the other guys feed off that, and that it all adds up to DB getting the ball when the offense stagnates or the team is unsure where the next points will come from. Its an awkward balance for a point guard to strike, but every team needs a guy like DB, no matter how frustrating it can get to watch his occasionally suspect shot selection.

[Pakuni]

Chris is progressing much along the lines of Amal McCaskill, who also was very limited when he arrived at MU, dealt with a bunch of injuries, worked his tail off and eventually emerged as a major contributor by his final two seasons. In fact, Chris' numbers this year (5.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg) is identical to Amal's second year.
I'm not putting Chris in the NBA just yet, but could definitely see him becoming the 10 ppg/9 rpg guy McCaskill was by his senior year.

[GGGG]

Excellent analogy Pakuni.  Amal still plays professional basketball...for the Incheon Elephants in Korea.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Excellent analogy Pakuni.  Amal still plays professional basketball...for the Incheon Elephants in Korea.

Wow!  That's pretty obscure.  Good for him to still be making money doing what he loves.

[thanooj]

I agree with the comments on Otule and DJO but I am beginning to think that the player that determines whether we win or lose is solidly on the shoulders of Buycks. When he is on everyone else seems to follow, I guess that is what a PG does. If Jr. continues to progress maybe it will be him.

i agree about buycks.  But it is not his shot selection that bothers me.  Every time I start to think that Buycks is the key, and the better he plays the more dangerous we are, he makes a bonehead pass or dribbles off his legs.  He can make everyone else better when he is on, but he does some stupid stuff with the ball.  I notice he is guilty of picking up his dribble to early in offensive sets.  Buycks can play, just don't play stupid.

love otule this year.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I could see Otule being an 8/8 with 1.5-2 blocks.

The biggest challenge with be to continue his physical development, and learn the small nuances of the game. Staying out of foul trouble, learning how to set up moves in the post, etc.

He's already got good size, decent footwork and most recently, a very aggressive attitude on both ends. 

Would love to get 8/8 out of him and 8/4 out of Garnder next year. I think that's a realistic goal, and if they can get that kind of performance out of those big guys, that team could be very, very good.