Otule & Gardner

[Silkk the Shaka]

We got 34 minutes of legitimate offensive threat from the center position today.  When is the last time we can say that?

Otule - 18 min, 3/6 FG, 1/2 FT, 7 points
Gardner - 16 min, 4/4 FG, 2/2 FT, 10 points

They were efficient and best of all, even when they're not scoring teams HAVE to pay attention to them.  Must make life nice for the guards.

[El Duderino]

It's hard to not get really excited to see how both develop over the next few years.

Otule has made giant strides over the course of this season. His shotblocking is way better than i expected it to be. He has some solid post moves. Plus, his frame simply looks so much better. Now when we face a team with a quality big man, i no longer feel absolute dread wondering who will will guard the guy.

As for Gardner, obviously he'll need to continue improving on his stamina and just getting in better shape overall come next year. What has really impressed me though with him, he just really understands how to use his bulk to score in the post, even vs taller defenders. Plus, for only being a freshman, the kid already has a fairly skilled set of post moves.

A lot of times kids as big as Gardner can come into college with a fairly crude set of post moves simply because they either were so tall or thick compared to other high school kids that they didn't need a wide array of post moves to score.

Maybe by sometime next year or by his junior season, if Gardner takes staying in shape seriously along with working hard on improving his game, i could really see him getting to the point where defenses in most cases will have no choice except to try and double on him. Of all of Buzz's high school recruits so far, Gardner has been my biggest pleasant surprise when expectations as a freshman and recruiting rankings are factored in to the equation.

[Dr. Blackheart]

PIP:  MU 30-WVU 14

[MarquetteNation]

gardner has some really great moves in the post...i just wish he would drop the facial expressions/attitude when any little thing goes wrong (getting called for a foul, missing a free throw, etc.)

[willie warrior]

Gardner is definitely well advanced for a frosh with his post moves. He has very good hands and moves his feet well. Excellent catcher in traffic, and soft touch.

Otule is best at defense. Still worry about his inability to pull down rebounds. He had none last night in 18 minutes--he is the tallest guy on the floor. But he is a threat on blocking shots, no question.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

How awesome was Gardner's move when the announcers were talking about the greatness of Thoroughman's footwork. Gardner pulled that drop step and blew by for a layup. The whole team just chuckled and retracted.

[bilsu]

We really need one of you MUscoopers to donate an eye to Otule. Which one of you loves Marquette the most?

[Rollout-the-Barrel]

Maybe an eye instead of a testicle?

[CTWarrior]

I think they are a mixed blessing at this time (particularly Otule) through no fault of their own.  We don't seem to play offense as crisply when Otule is in the low post.  We are reluctant to pass him the ball except when he is clearly ready for it for good reason, and he clogs the middle and hurts our penetration game because he draws other defenders into the lane.  

This is not a knock on Otule, who is really coming on, but we have to learn how to play offense around him.  I think we are actually a more productive offensive team when he is not in the low post but when he is setting screens up high, particularly against the man to man.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Enjoy watching Otule and Gardner play.  We are a legitimate team when we have either "big" on the floor.  I really think we can beat anybody if we can continue playing all out like the last two games.  Hope the team rests well.  Good luck Chris and Davante.  Play hard and win!