Chris Otule is the difference this year

[MarquetteDano]

Chris has definitely improved this year and it has been fun to watch.  I hate to be a Debbie Downer here but my expecations are somewhat limited for him going forward.  I really, really hope he proves me wrong but I don't see a day where Otule averages 11ppg, 9rpg like Amal McCaskill did both his Junior and Senior years (maybe close to the blocks average though).

Because of Chris' eye(s) and his hands there will always be some limitations on his rebounding and scoring in the post.  It will be interesting to see as Gardner improves (as he has a higher ceiling) who gets the bulk of the playing time at the five position going forward.  Maybe both average around 20mpg next year and the year after?

Again, very much hope Chris proves me wrong on this one!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Chris has definitely improved this year and it has been fun to watch.  I hate to be a Debbie Downer here but my expecations are somewhat limited for him going forward.  I really, really hope he proves me wrong but I don't see a day where Otule averages 11ppg, 9rpg like Amal McCaskill did both his Junior and Senior years (maybe close to the blocks average though).

Because of Chris' eye(s) and his hands there will always be some limitations on his rebounding and scoring in the post.  It will be interesting to see as Gardner improves (as he has a higher ceiling) who gets the bulk of the playing time at the five position going forward.  Maybe both average around 20mpg next year and the year after?

Again, very much hope Chris proves me wrong on this one!

I agree.

I love Otule, but do we think he's ever going to get 10-13 shots per game? That's what he's going to need to get 10+ points (some free throws in there too). That's a lot of attempts for a team that traditionally does run offense through the post.

Actually, it sounds silly, but Chris needs to become a better passer before he can avg. 10+ pts/game. He's pretty much a black hole right now, so it's tough to give him too many touches in the post because it never comes back out.

If he can learn to kick it out, and/or reverse the ball, then I can see him getting more touches and being more effective.

Anyways, I still think he can be a nice 7 or 8pts/game guy given his ability for offensive put-backs. 

Nice college big man, and nice development so far. Would love a Frosh. version of him next year that could ride the bench for 2 years and develop.

[Pakuni]

I agree.

I love Otule, but do we think he's ever going to get 10-13 shots per game? That's what he's going to need to get 10+ points (some free throws in there too). That's a lot of attempts for a team that traditionally does run offense through the post.

A big man definitely doesn't need 10-13 shots per game to average 10 ppg.
The aforementioned Amal McCaskill averaged 7.9 and 7.5 attempts per game his junior and senior seasons. Robert Jackson averaged 10.5 attempts per game the year he averged 15.4 ppg at MU. Jimmy Mac scored over 10 ppg his soph and junior seasons while taking only 6.4 and 6.9 shots per game, respectively.
Right now, Chris is averaging over 5 ppg while taking only 3.5 shots per game. If he improves his free throw shooting marginally (and stay out of foul trouble), he could easily become a 10 ppg with only 3-4 more attempts per game.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

A big man definitely doesn't need 10-13 shots per game to average 10 ppg.
The aforementioned Amal McCaskill averaged 7.9 and 7.5 attempts per game his junior and senior seasons. Robert Jackson averaged 10.5 attempts per game the year he averged 15.4 ppg at MU. Jimmy Mac scored over 10 ppg his soph and junior seasons while taking only 6.4 and 6.9 shots per game, respectively.
Right now, Chris is averaging over 5 ppg while taking only 3.5 shots per game. If he improves his free throw shooting marginally (and stay out of foul trouble), he could easily become a 10 ppg with only 3-4 more attempts per game.

I stand corrected. I know that big men are typically far more efficient than guards, especially when you take into account free throws, but I wouldn't have guessed that these guys were getting 10 pts on only 7 attempts.

I still think 8 pts/ 8 rebounds is more realistic, but 10 pts is not out of the question.

The biggest impact from Chris would come from rebounding and blocking/altering shots. If he can continue to improve there, MU's overall defensive numbers should improve as well.

[ringout]

I stand corrected. I know that big men are typically far more efficient than guards, especially when you take into account free throws, but I wouldn't have guessed that these guys were getting 10 pts on only 7 attempts.

I still think 8 pts/ 8 rebounds is more realistic, but 10 pts is not out of the question.

The biggest impact from Chris would come from rebounding and blocking/altering shots. If he can continue to improve there, MU's overall defensive numbers should improve as well.

If he does 8/8, but is a threat and needs to be guarded, (unlike D. Burke), he is very valuable.  Have him go off for a couple 16/10 then he needs to be guarded.

Not a slam on Dwight, he played a role defensively, but not much offense.

[Markusquette]

If Junior and Vander keep developing and we get guys that can find Chris in a position to score he can easily get 10ppg I think.  He's only going to keep improving, so I think it's very possible he will average about 10 and 8 his senior year.

[ringout]

If Junior and Vander keep developing and we get guys that can find Chris in a position to score he can easily get 10ppg I think.  He's only going to keep improving, so I think it's very possible he will average about 10 and 8 his senior year.

definitely possible

[muball]

If Chris can improve with his left hand he could score 8-10 with baby hooks etc.

[Hards Alumni]

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.

At least some people pay attention.