Gardner and Otule

[DCWarriors04]

Why the low stat lines for both of them?

[nyg]

Otule played 13 minutes.  Had 4 points, 2 rebs, shot 2 for 6 from ft line, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls. Enough said.

Wilson played the 5 tonight and took those minutes from Gardner.  Buzz probably wanted to see how that worked out.

[DCWarriors04]

Yeesh...Otule has become the Rex Grossman of the Marquette team.

[cheebs09]

I think we are going to see a lot of Wilson at the 5 on Saturday with the way that they can shoot. I also think it helps our rebounding to be honest. Otule doesn't have the hands and Gardner doesn't have the athleticism to control the boards.

[Dawson Rental]

I think we are going to see a lot of Wilson at the 5 on Saturday with the way that they can shoot. I also think it helps our rebounding to be honest. Otule doesn't have the hands and Gardner doesn't have the athleticism to control the boards.

Very important point.

[brewcity77]

Yeesh...Otule has become the Rex Grossman of the Marquette team.

CO was in foul trouble all night, and it seemed like the refs were targeting him whenever he came in. I didn't think he played poorly, just hampered by fouls. Had a nice post move for his basket, at least one strong block, but they just started whistling for anything he did. DG couldn't keep up with the pace at times, but his defense was a little better.

Jamil getting heavy minutes at the 5 will be the thing that helps us most from this game. CO will be fine, and Gardner should be better Saturday at that pace.

[turk17]

Why the low stat lines for both of them?

Per someone's Twitter account (can't remember), because Jacksonville had no one over 6'7"

[MUMac]

Jacksonville played small, Otule was in foul trouble all night (picked up his 4th less than 30 seconds after he re-entered the game), Gardner had troubles on defense and the boards.  Add to that Jamil played well as the "5". 

[Badgerhater]

There will be games where both Otule and Gardner will be ineffective or fouled out and Wilson will have to be in at the end of games.  Good that MU had that opportunity to play that way last night.  Small ball also does have its advantages if you can execute.

[tower912]

Chris couldn't get out of his own way and DG looked slow.   JWilson probably played his best game yet.   It was one game.   Everyone has clunkers.   

[MUBurrow]

I know its very early in the year, and I certainly don't mean this to sound like I'm bashing on the kid, but can we please stop talking about DG getting 20-25 minutes and being among the teams top scorers now? Through six games, only one of which was close, DG has averaged 14 minutes, getting more than 15 only twice (17 & 18).  If DG isn't finding the floor for more than 15 minutes against the cupcake sched, why would his minutes all of a sudden skyrocket in conference play? Posting this now will probably come back to bite me in the ass come saturday, since Bo ball pace will likely see DG getting among his higher minutes total of the year - but I hope we take DG's minutes now as a dose of reality so we're not complaining about him underachieving in February.

[GGGG]

Funny you said this.  I just looked up to see who MU's "third leading scorer" is.  It's Vander...then Todd...then Junior...then DG.  That being said, he is essentially tied with Todd for third if you measure it on a points per minute basis.

But yeah, I don't think he will get the minutes that some projected at the beginning of the year.

[bilsu]

Mayo will finish as our third leading scorer. I sure hope we do not get the Jacksonville refs (Burr?) for the UW game.

[MUBurrow]

Funny you said this.  I just looked up to see who MU's "third leading scorer" is.  It's Vander...then Todd...then Junior...then DG.  That being said, he is essentially tied with Todd for third if you measure it on a points per minute basis.

But yeah, I don't think he will get the minutes that some projected at the beginning of the year.

Thats just it, there is a huge and important role for an efficient player like DG, so I'm not saying I don't like his game or think he's an important piece. But the preseason/early season talk that he was going to take over the 5 as a consistent starter and get most of the minutes there is really starting to look overblown - somewhat to the detriment of DG. If you take him for what he is, its easy to appreciate what he gives you (even if he leaves you wanting more of it).  But at least this year, its still looking like he logs closer to 1/3 than even 1/2 the minutes at the 5, with CO getting about 1/2 and Jamil picking up the rest.

[brewcity77]

I know its very early in the year, and I certainly don't mean this to sound like I'm bashing on the kid, but can we please stop talking about DG getting 20-25 minutes and being among the teams top scorers now? Through six games, only one of which was close, DG has averaged 14 minutes, getting more than 15 only twice (17 & 18).  If DG isn't finding the floor for more than 15 minutes against the cupcake sched, why would his minutes all of a sudden skyrocket in conference play? Posting this now will probably come back to bite me in the ass come saturday, since Bo ball pace will likely see DG getting among his higher minutes total of the year - but I hope we take DG's minutes now as a dose of reality so we're not complaining about him underachieving in February.

+1

I like Ox, but this post should be a dose of reality. DG isn't going to play alongside Otule. When conference play rolls around, 10-15 mpg is probably the best we can hope for, with CO getting 20-25 and Jamil/Jae filling in any leftovers. He'll get some points, and there will be some games where he will score 15-20, but just as often, especially in fast-paced Big East games, he will only be used in spurts and could end up in the 0-5 point range. Somewhere in the 7-9 ppg range is probably most likely.

[tower912]

This means that JWilson will get the leftover minutes at the 5 as well as backing up Jae.   It also means that there are minutes to be had for JJones and Juan.   

[Nukem2]

Matchups were simply unfavorable for CO and DG last night as Jacksonville was small ( but quick and active ) up front.  Can't read much into this game.

[Big Papi]

Matchups were simply unfavorable for CO and DG last night as Jacksonville was small ( but quick and active ) up front.  Can't read much into this game.

I think we should expect similar minutes and rotation in the badger game as well.  Badgers play a small lineup with all 5 players willing to shoot the 3.  I think Otule and Ox will get limited minutes as they won't be able to defend the perimeter. JWilson will get a lot of minutes at the 5 position.