Two interesting quotes from Inside Marquette Basketball

[denverMU]

Just watch a taping of this weeks show and found two things very interesting. 

First, Buzz's comment on when Chris Otule will return... "I'm am not at peace with it and I can't get at peace with it so he will probably not play again this season."  I always thought it was a doctors ok that players and coaches looked for not a feeling of peace from the coach.  He really made it sound as if it was not a medical decision.  Very curious.

Second, Assistant Coach Scott Monarch was asked about the difference between this years team and other MU teams.  His response was "that was that this years team is entirely different from any team they have had.  The first group that we had were so in tune with each other.  This years team is so talented but they are not in tune with each other and trying to get them on the same page all the time has been the greatest challenge.."

Very interesting, this might be a reason for erratic play and failure to hold onto big leads.

[MauraDay]

I think Monarch's point is so evident. The past three years the team has seemed to work well together and has had leadership, which, for whatever reason, this year's team is lacking. I admit we wouldn't be focusing on this if we were winning.

Thanks for sharing.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I think the search for a vocal leader is an explanation for Blue's playing time.

[Les Nessman]

I can't imagine Blue instilling much confidence in anyone else when has very little confidence in his own game.

[denverMU]

I would think that jae crowder would be a natural to take a leadership role but I agree it doesn't seem like anyone has taken that role.  Also, I wonder if competition for minutes has something to do with it?

[LA]

I'm sorry but wasn't this board having the exact same conversation at this time last year.

People said Jimmy wasn't enough of a leader and that is why the team struggled, and that he wasn't a Lazar type to carry the team. Then he became JFB once we put together a couple of wins and now djo and crowder aren't JFB enough.

Chocking away that lead was aweful but just like the last few years we will rebound and have a solid season.

[denverMU]

I'm sorry but wasn't this board having the exact same conversation at this time last year.

People said Jimmy wasn't enough of a leader and that is why the team struggled, and that he wasn't a Lazar type to carry the team. Then he became JFB once we put together a couple of wins and now djo and crowder aren't JFB enough.

Chocking away that lead was aweful but just like the last few years we will rebound and have a solid season.

I don't recall a coach , last year, commentting on how the team wasn't on the same page.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

I don't recall a coach , last year, commentting on how the team wasn't on the same page.

it was from the 100 assistant coaches on this board.

[denverMU]

Big difference, the coach knows what he's talking about, we don't.

[MerrittsMustache]

Just watch a taping of this weeks show and found two things very interesting. 

First, Buzz's comment on when Chris Otule will return... "I'm am not at peace with it and I can't get at peace with it so he will probably not play again this season."  I always thought it was a doctors ok that players and coaches looked for not a feeling of peace from the coach.  He really made it sound as if it was not a medical decision.  Very curious.

Could be a situation where the doctors have cleared him but he'd need to get injections to reduce the pain which would increase chances of permanent, long-term damage. Similar to Mike Tomlin making the call on Ryan Clark not playing in Denver due to his medical condition, Buzz may be taking the decision away from CO. Total speculation on my part. Obviously could be way off.

[denverMU]

Could be a situation where the doctors have cleared him but he'd need to get injections to reduce the pain which would increase chances of permanent, long-term damage. Similar to Mike Tomlin making the call on Ryan Clark not playing in Denver due to his medical condition, Buzz may be taking the decision away from CO. Total speculation on my part. Obviously could be way off.

Tough to know, it just seems like Buzz is being very, very cautious on this injury.  I recall when Junior came back so quickly his freshman year and it didn't seem like Buzz was as cautious.

[cheebs09]

Tough to know, it just seems like Buzz is being very, very cautious on this injury.  I recall when Junior came back so quickly his freshman year and it didn't seem like Buzz was as cautious.

I think Buzz mentioned he had several conversations with Junior's mom and they even brought his AAU or high school coach into the discussions. I think that one was thought through for awhile with many discussions.

[RJax55]

Could be a situation where the doctors have cleared him but he'd need to get injections to reduce the pain which would increase chances of permanent, long-term damage. Similar to Mike Tomlin making the call on Ryan Clark not playing in Denver due to his medical condition, Buzz may be taking the decision away from CO. Total speculation on my part. Obviously could be way off.

Or could be a situation where Chris could play, but he has a high chance that another injury to that knee may occur. It's just not as simple as running and jumping... What will happen to that knee when tweaked or he comes down on it in an awkward manner? Those things are going to happen.

[4everwarriors]

Big difference, the coach knows what he's talking about, we don't.

Speak for yourself.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Speak for yourself.

If I want basketball knowledge, I'm swinging by the Al.  If I want to spay my dog, I'll call you.   

[Tugg Speedman]

Or could be a situation where Chris could play, but he has a high chance that another injury to that knee may occur. It's just not as simple as running and jumping... What will happen to that knee when tweaked or he comes down on it in an awkward manner? Those things are going to happen.

Sounds reasonable.  But if that was the case, why not bring him along slowly in practice?  First running/jogging only then half-speed drills and so on.

Has Otule even practiced since December 2?

[bilsu]

I think giving up the possibilty of a 6th year is a big deal. Otule got hurt with a 100% healthy knee, so ther is no way to gage if he will reinjure a 70% healthy knee. Also, a reinjury is likely to be much more serious. Serious enough that he could miss most of next year. The safe bet is to redshirt him and hope for two more healthy years.

[4everwarriors]

If I want basketball knowledge, I'm swinging by the Al.  If I want to spay my dog, I'll call you.  

What kind of insurance does the dog carry? I'm probably in the network.

[UticaBusBarn]

To paraphrase Casey Stengel (yet again), getting the stars is the easy part. The hard part is getting them to play together as a team.

It might be a bit more trial and error, but Coach Williams will figure out the right players to play as he did with the "pee-wee" team two years ago and with the team from last year. Coach Williams, to this fan, is closer than we might all think to getting it all together.

[Golden Avalanche]

I think Monarch's point is so evident. The past three years the team has seemed to work well together and has had leadership, which, for whatever reason, this year's team is lacking. I admit we wouldn't be focusing on this if we were winning.

Thanks for sharing.

I thought MU suffered from a lack of leadership last season. I think that's the same situation this season. There are similarities in this being a problem.

[🏀]

I thought MU suffered from a lack of leadership last season. I think that's the same situation this season. There are similarities in this being a problem.

These JUCO seniors are not leaders. JFB, DJO and Crowder cannot lead a team! We need four year traditional players.

[Tugg Speedman]

I think giving up the possibilty of a 6th year is a big deal. Otule got hurt with a 100% healthy knee, so ther is no way to gage if he will reinjure a 70% healthy knee. Also, a reinjury is likely to be much more serious. Serious enough that he could miss most of next year. The safe bet is to redshirt him and hope for two more healthy years.

Otule has already redshirted two years ago.  You cannot red-shirt twice.

[🏀]

Otule has already redshirted two years ago.  You cannot red-shirt twice.

Wrong.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

What kind of insurance does the dog carry? I'm probably in the network.

dunno, just called cyganiak planning b/c terri mitchell told me to.

[MUMac]

Wrong.

He/She is correct.  You can only use one redshirt year.  You can apply for a "Medical Hardship".  But you need to apply and have it approved.  Redshirt does not need approval.  You merely need to follow the rules.