If you were Chris Otule...

[The Lens]

Would you take advantage of the Russell Wilson rule and transfer?  I think he should go get a check but what if Texas offered him a ride?  Or some tropical paradise?  Would you go see the world via the NCAA?

[wadesworld]

Considering he was the starting center for the Big East Champion and an Elite Eight team, I'd probably stay right where I am knowing that I could be on an even better team next year.

[GGGG]

I wouldn't.  And I'm not sure he can since he already started his graduate program.

[JTBMU7]

i understand the idea of playing professionally, but i remember a CS intervie with Chris Grimm who was comparing his professional life in Europe to his playing days at MU... pretty stark contrast when you think about stucture, support, food, friends, etc... he specifically compared eating at steak houses as a team in Chicago to eating at knock-off McDonalds by yourself as a pro...
for a guy like Otule, it's arguable he has a better quality of life here in College than he would in Europe. but i wouldnt blame him if he wanted to leave too, at some point the 5 am Buzz's Life Lesson lectures have to get a little old...
also, there is 0.00% chance he would transfer for 1 year.

[4everwarriors]

Never quit recruitin'

[brewcity77]

Buzz Williams gave Otule a chance when no one else was interested. Buzz stood by Chris when he learned he was half-blind. Buzz stuck with him through injuries. Buzz has been a constant for CO these past 5+ years. If he decides to go, it won't be to another school. He either finished his career at Marquette or he will finish his career at Marquette.

And, as Sultan mentioned, he is ineligible to use the one-year transfer rule because he is already enrolled in graduate classes.

[chapman]

He wouldn't improve his situation, won't play more, and won't be on a better team.  So warm weather versus staying put?  No decision.  The real decision is one more year versus going abroad and getting paid.  Also wouldn't have any benefit to leaving, but Jamil would be the bigger prize in the transfer market since he's graduating - thankfully we're in good shape for next year and seem to have a close team.

[Tugg Speedman]

He's not getting paid overseas. 

It was detailed here ...

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=36202.msg453076#msg453076

Bottom line.  Average US salary playing in Europe is $65k.  Average player was someone that has years of professional experience and was probably a late round NBA draft.  Rookies make half to two-thirds this amount.

Only three rookies in the top two French leagues last year, all were drafted and elected to play overseas (see DJO ... drafted and now playing overseas in a high division).  Third division pays 1500 euros a month.  Unsure Otule could even make the third division.  These divisions play 75 games a year and his body is unproven with that kind of schedule.

Next fall Otule makes more selling insurance, or coaching high school in Texas, than trying to play in Europe.  Only way that changes is if he gets draft in June.  Have you seen his name on any draft boards?

Come back play 30 games next year like the last 10 and show you can make a season without injury.  Try to get drafted.  Then do like DJO and go overseas to make about $35k to $50k/year.

[strotty]

I wouldn't.  And I'm not sure he can since he already started his graduate program.

Incorrect. He graduated but is not in a graduate program.

[Jay Bee]

He can't.

Chris needs a Five Year Rule waiver in order to compete next season. Such a waiver would be for playing at Marquette and MU only.

He simply is not a candidate to transfer as a graduate student and have immediate eligibility.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I would move onward.  Five years in college is long enough for anyone. 

[Windyplayer]

I would move onward.  Five years in college is long enough for anyone.  

Is it?

[GGGG]

Incorrect. He graduated but is not in a graduate program.

So he's just taking classes?  I didn't think he could do that.

He can't.

Chris needs a Five Year Rule waiver in order to compete next season. Such a waiver would be for playing at Marquette and MU only.

He simply is not a candidate to transfer as a graduate student and have immediate eligibility.

Ahh...thank you very much.

[wheresthecake?]

There is a reason Chris did not participate in Senior Day this year.  He loves Buzz and Buzz loves him.  Can't wait to have him back!

[ceh]

I think that Chris returns next year.  He knows that the team will have a good shot to win the conference and do some damage in March.  Also, I think that we will see some great development in his game since this is really the first summer in a number of years that he will be able to concentrate on his game and not injury recovery.

[Coleman]

I would move onward.  Five years in college is long enough for anyone. 

Tell that to Tommy Calahan!

[Badgerhater]

Chris deserves tremendous praise for placing himself in this position -- getting to pick from two great options.  Few players possess the drive to overcome the set of physical hurdles placed before this man.  He will find success in either decision and will be one of the great ambassadors of Marquette University.

[Aughnanure]

If Chris were not coming back, why would he have not gone through the Senior Day rituals or had his image up with Cadougan and Lockett?

He's coming back guys.

[BCHoopster]

If Chris comes back, they will be awful long upfront, McKay, Gardner, Wilson, Taylor and Juan, huge depth upfront.  If Duane Wilson can think pass first there were many times that
Chris was frustrated because they did not know how to pass to him on the lower box, no reason he could not average double figures next year.

[icheights]

If Chris were not coming back, why would he have not gone through the Senior Day rituals or had his image up with Cadougan and Lockett?

He's coming back guys.

100% agree.  After all he has done and been through at MU, if he was leaving he would have been a part of the senior day activities.

[Tugg Speedman]

I would move onward.  Five years in college is long enough for anyone.  

I guess your not a college football fan.  If you were you would know that many players are red-shirted their freshman year and then giving the high injury rate, often miss another season and come back for a six year.

I guess your not a college track and field fan.  If you were you would know that between cross country, indoor track and outdoor track that athletes in this sport stagger red-shirts and off years so 6 and even 7th years happen.

If you're only a fan of college basketball you would think a 6th year was rare.

And the reason they all stay so long is it is much more fun being a college student playing high D1 basketball (Chris Paul) than selling insurance (Cliff Paul).  Do you have any insight that Otule finds selling insurance more interesting than beating Syracuse on Big Monday?

[Jay Bee]

I guess your not a college football fan.  If you were you would know that many players are red-shirted their freshman year and then giving the high injury rate, often miss another season and come back for a six year.

Not really. In fact, under that scenario (i.e., redshirted by decision as a true freshman, then miss a year due to injury) a student-athlete does not fit the criteria for receiving a sixth year.

[Tugg Speedman]

Not really. In fact, under that scenario (i.e., redshirted by decision as a true freshman, then miss a year due to injury) a student-athlete does not fit the criteria for receiving a sixth year.

Happens all the time ... half the Alabama starters are sixth year players

[Goose]

I am fine with anything he decides to do. If I were his Dad I would tell him time to move on.

[Jay Bee]

Happens all the time ... half the Alabama starters are sixth year players

No, you are lying.