Otule Back Sooner Than Expected?

[MUMac]

There was no limp.  He was walking fine.  Of course, that is far different than playing against D1 competition.

[GGGG]

It is too early to tell, but I share Brew's sentiment that this may be the best Warrior team since Al left.

Lets wait until BE season starts rolling before we make such grand statements.  After all, we have been to a Final Four as a conference winning, #3 seed since Al left.

[MerrittsMustache]

I'd obviously love to see Otule back sooner rather than later but a person can walk just fine with an injury such as a torn MCL. That doesn't mean they can cut or jump or change directions.

[brewcity77]

Of course, the key is always whether or not we can win six in a row in March.  Admittedly, the odds are against that.

One thing I'll be curious about, and I think the key to our March success, is if Buzz can make sure that we aren't trying to win six in a row in March. We have to win one in a row six times.

I know, it sounds like splitting hairs, but looking at our last two tournament runs beyond the first weekend, it seemed like our final game was the destination.

In 2003, no one expected us to beat Kentucky. I would wager that 90% of Marquette fans had UK through to the Final Four on their office pool brackets. The Wildcats hadn't lost since Dec. 28 and were loaded. Beating Kentucky was our Super Bowl. Tom Crean, before the season, had brought the team to the Superdome in New Orleans and told them that getting there was the destination. Well, they got there, but against Kansas, it sure looked like no one had told them they could also win there.

Last year, no one (nationally) expected us to beat Syracuse. One of the last teams in beating a 3-seed? Of course, it was the same Syracuse team we had beaten less than 2 months prior. But beating them and getting to the Sweet 16 seemed like the goal. Then we show up against UNC and get flattened.

I really hope Buzz can keep the one game focus. That's why I have such high hopes for this team. I look around the country and I don't see a single team that on a given night we couldn't beat. It's much harder to go through Kentucky in the Elite 8, Ohio State in the Final Four, and North Carolina in the title game, but if we're healthy and on a neutral court, is it unthinkable that we could beat Kentucky, Ohio State, or North Carolina on a given night? I don't think we're any worse than Indiana, Kansas, or UNLV, and they all notched a win against those teams. If we play it one-at-a-time, our ceiling is really high.

We just have to make sure, especially after last year, that there is no destination.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I'll admit we'd still be a long shot, but after UNC, UK, and OSU (maybe Syracuse), we're right there in that next tier of teams. And all of those first three have proven vulnerable to opposition that I would say is no better than us.

This is the best Marquette team I think we've had in the past 30 years. Granted, the 2002-03 team had a better individual, but I think as a team, we're better. DJO is the best scorer we've had since Wade, and I think our complimentary pieces are better. Our defense is also MUCH better, but needs Otule in there to reach our peak.

I'd probably put us in that 5-10 range, but a #1 seed isn't out of our reach and from there, it would probably only take one or two upsets for us to win it all. I know it's not likely, but it's also not an impossibility.

Absolutely, 100 percent agree. We are a legit Final Four contender and, having seen Butler get to the final two years in a row...you're telling me we can't get there and win it? We can. Get Otule back and literally the sky is the limit.

[what the fulce?]

not sure what its worth, but chris looks to be active in the lsu walkthrough



http://twitpic.com/7v8sd6

[wadesworld]

It's much harder to go through Kentucky in the Elite 8, Ohio State in the Final Four, and North Carolina in the title game, but if we're healthy and on a neutral court, is it unthinkable that we could beat Kentucky, Ohio State, or North Carolina on a given night? I don't think we're any worse than Indiana, Kansas, or UNLV, and they all notched a win against those teams.

Indiana won at home, Kansas won without Ohio State having its best/the nation's best player due to injury, and UNLV won on a neutral court...in Las Vegas.

[bigself13]

its good seeing chris up and standing. We'll need him, but shouldnt rush back

[Hards Alumni]

its good seeing chris up and standing. We'll need him, but shouldnt rush back

Haven't seen Buzz rush anyone back yet.

[GGGG]

not sure what its worth, but chris looks to be active in the lsu walkthrough



http://twitpic.com/7v8sd6

I think the fact he made the trip is very encouraging.

[dwaderoy2004]

Seems like he's just observing and not participating since he is not down in the post with jae, davante and jamil. But yes, encouraging that he made the trip and is staying involved.

[NotAnAlum]

I think the fact he made the trip is very encouraging.

Wouldn't he make the trip almost no matter what.  Guys that are out for long periods, even the whole season would likely travel with the team if they were physically able.  The picture does raise some hopes because if the knee was real unstable I doubt he'd be on the court.

[Benny B]

Wouldn't he make the trip almost no matter what.  Guys that are out for long periods, even the whole season would likely travel with the team if they were physically able.  The picture does raise some hopes because if the knee was real unstable I doubt he'd be on the court.

No... injured players do not make road trips.  Heck, I don't think that Jamil Wilson went on road trips last year (except maybe the tournaments).

[wadesworld]

No... injured players do not make road trips.  Heck, I don't think that Jamil Wilson went on road trips last year (except maybe the tournaments).

Jamil couldn't go on road trips last year, he was sitting out a redshirt transfer year.  You can't travel with the team unless you travel on your own in that case.

[NotAnAlum]

No... injured players do not make road trips.  Heck, I don't think that Jamil Wilson went on road trips last year (except maybe the tournaments).

Really?  It seems like other teams come to the BC all the time with guys not suited up.  I've got to believe with the quick turn to play UWM on the 22nd MU chartered a flight so they can leave as soon as the LSU game is over.  In that case it doesn't cost you anything to fly an extra guy and he is there for moral support.

[6746jonesr]

It doesn't have anything to do with cost.  Redshirt players do not travel by rule, but injured players may travel unless the team decides to leave them home for rehab. purposes or if flying could increase health risks, as in the case of blood clots, etc.

[4everwarriors]

School's on break. So what's he supposed to do?