Well, its Jamil Wilson time...

[MarquetteDano]

With Otule out for the foreseeable future and our poor defensive rebounding, Jamil Wilson is really going to have to step it up.  We don't have a "traditional" small forward (since Blue plays that spot) and we have a slightly undersized power forward, who is admittedly a decent rebounder.  And then we have Davante, who will only probably average 18 minutes max per game with Otule gone.  That leaves 22 crucial minutes each game.

It has to be Jamil.  He really has to rebound well if we don't want to give up 15+ offensive rebounds per game.

[GGGG]

I also think that if Buzz wants to keep his deep rotation, that Juan and Jamail have to step up.

[brewcity77]

I'm hoping for the best, but I can't see any way our defense doesn't suffer. And not because he's a bad defender, but because we no longer have a guy down low who has an impact on almost every shot taken inside 10'. Otule's length allowed him to either block or at least put the threat of a block into the mind of anyone driving or pulling up in the lane.

From the start of the season, losing Otule for extended time has been the thing I thought could do the most to derail this team's success. Here's hoping he's back soon, but more so, hoping I was wrong.

[Bocephys]

I also think that if Buzz wants to keep his deep rotation, that Juan and Jamail have to step up.

I think Juan has looked good on the boards in his limited minutes.  He was our highest rated recruit, and with the injury/suspension setbacks, his season is basically just beginning.  He could start to come on strong.

[Windyplayer]

From the start of the season, losing Otule for extended time has been the thing I thought could do the most to derail this team's success. Here's hoping he's back soon, but more so, hoping I was wrong.

Hmm, little dramatic, don't you think? I think the loss of DJO or Crowder would be more devastating.

[dw3dw3dw3]

Hmm, little dramatic, don't you think? I think the loss of DJO or Crowder would be more devastating.

Its debatable, we don't have a replacement player for CO. There are players behind DJO (Mayo) and Jae (Wilson/Gardner/JA) who could play at 80% of their level. Factor in the defensive troubles to be expected playing at the same size we had 2 years ago and its a huge potential loss.

[MarquetteDano]

I also think that if Buzz wants to keep his deep rotation, that Juan and Jamail have to step up.

Yeah this might have to "defensive rebounding by committee".  Going to be interesting.

[Windyplayer]

Its debatable, we don't have a replacement player for CO. There are players behind DJO (Mayo) and Jae (Wilson/Gardner/JA) who could play at 80% of their level. Factor in the defensive troubles to be expected playing at the same size we had 2 years ago and its a huge potential loss.

No doubt it's a big loss, but we need to remember that Washington has ridiculous length and freakish athletes. I think we would have had a hard time with them in the paint on both ends with Otule in there. That was a top 25 team--I don't care if they lost to Nevada earlier. Duke is going to have their hands full.

[brewcity77]

Hmm, little dramatic, don't you think? I think the loss of DJO or Crowder would be more devastating.

Our offense was ranked #9 by kenpom in 2008-09 and we lost the Three Amigos. You'd expect a big drop-off, but we only fell to #22. The next year we lost Lazar, Acker, and Cooby and stayed at #22. This year we lost another NBA first rounder in JFB and Buycks, yet we have improved to #9. Bottom line, our offense will be good. No matter who we lose, no single player will hamstring our offense, especially with so many different guys that can be a go-to player in any game.

On defense, we've been rated #51, 57, and 61 before this year being ranked #13. our entire defense is built around Otule, he is the type of shot-blocker that forces the opposing offense to take him into account on any shot inside 12 feet. He keeps alive rebounds and is the only guy who ever seems to effectively box out. He's the primary reason our defense is elite this year.

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but I think he's the difference between a 1-2 seed and a 4-5 seed.

[JWags85]

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but I think he's the difference between a 1-2 seed and a 4-5 seed.

Uggh, don't say things like that...

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

+1 as to his box out capabilities.  Maybe he can explain to DJO how it's done in his downtime!

[96warrior]

No doubt losing Otule is huge. Sucks that he's out with an injury so early in the season when he's battled through so much. Hopefully he can get back sooner rather than later. I'm not jumping off the ledge though. Buzz as much said he didn't react well in the moment when the injury happened. When he's got time to prepare a game plan knowing Otule is not going to play, it'll be a lot different than trying to react in a game. While Gardner is our only other true 5, we have other options and Buzz was used to playing without a true big for his first 3 seasons. Thinking he'll have a way around this. There are many good things about this team this year. One injury isn't going to derail the entire season.

[We R Final Four]

Uggh, don't say things like that...

We beat an apparently overrated Wisco team and now we are a potential #1 seed?  Maybe we should hold off on that.

[Lennys Tap]

We beat an apparently overrated Wisco team and now we are a potential #1 seed?  Maybe we should hold off on that.

Is Wisconsin overrated because they lost by 3 at N Carolina?

[brewcity77]

We beat an apparently overrated Wisco team and now we are a potential #1 seed?  Maybe we should hold off on that.

Uhh...yeah. Any Big East team with a hope of winning the league is a potential #1 seed.  It doesn't mean we'll all get one, but if we went unbeaten in non-con and won the league, what other possible seed would we get?

It amazes me how looking at potential success is somehow anathema to MU fans.

[Norm]

I also think that if Buzz wants to keep his deep rotation, that Juan and Jamail have to step up.

I think this might come as a challenge to Buzz, as he has usually only had a 7-8 man rotation his first 3 years as MU head coach. Jamail Jones has played the 2nd fewest minutes on the team and his minutes per game has been dropping with each game it seems. I hope it isn't a repeat of the Erik Williams situation where he plays a little in the pre-conference games and then rides the bench during Big East play. Juan Anderson was slowed by his suspension to start the season so we'll have to see how Buzz works him into the rotation, but he and Jones only combined for 5 minutes against Washington. It's hard to step up if you don't get in much during the games.

[Hards Alumni]

I think this might come as a challenge to Buzz, as he has usually only had a 7-8 man rotation his first 3 years as MU head coach. Jamail Jones has played the 2nd fewest minutes on the team and his minutes per game has been dropping with each game it seems. I hope it isn't a repeat of the Erik Williams situation where he plays a little in the pre-conference games and then rides the bench during Big East play. Juan Anderson was slowed by his suspension to start the season so we'll have to see how Buzz works him into the rotation, but he and Jones only combined for 5 minutes against Washington. It's hard to step up if you don't get in much during the games.

My 2 cents:  Jones doesn't play solid defense and doesn't seem to get the defensive system.  If he was more of an offensive threat (to make up for his defense and lack of rebounding) he would get more minutes.  But he doesn't seem to have "it".

Juan will get a lot more minutes over the next few games.  He plays good defense, and rebounds, and busts his ass all over the floor.

[Tulsa Warrior]

The ability of Juan Anderson to get rebounds will be a key during this stretch.  Buzz will have to spread the floor more and the players will have to do a better job of blocking out.