Goodman: Otule coming back

[MUCam]

Yeah, no offense but in how is Otule more important than Vander? 

Scarcity of resources, my dear children.

In all honesty, I am not sure I'm right in my opinion. I just know that skilled and productive big men are hard to find. Otule does so much that doesn't show up in the box score. He, at times, showed glimpses of dominance. I think he is harder to replace even if Vander is the better player.

[MUFlutieEffect]

Scarcity of resources, my dear children.

In all honesty, I am not sure I'm right in my opinion. I just know that skilled and productive big men are hard to find. Otule does so much that doesn't show up in the box score. He, at times, showed glimpses of dominance. I think he is harder to replace even if Vander is the better player.

I haven't thought about this long enough to form an opinion, but I think you make a valid argument.  Finding a solid 2 guard is a hell of a lot easier than finding a 6'11" center.

[Tugg Speedman]

You mean the sports media actually knows he has the possibily of another year?

Who knew?

[forgetful]

I haven't thought about this long enough to form an opinion, but I think you make a valid argument.  Finding a solid 2 guard is a hell of a lot easier than finding a 6'11" center.

I think this is the point and not sure if it is 100% correct, but a valid argument nonetheless.  We have nobody coming in or on the roster that brings what Otule does to the table.  Add in another off season of rehab/improvement and he will be a beast.

Vander is NBA caliber now, and will only get better.  But we do have other 2-guards on the roster that are capable, not to the same level, but a ridiculous drop-off.

I want them both back, but Otule returning is awesome.

[JD]

"There's a reason there's a 3 second violation in the paint, that's where championships are won"

Yes, Otule coming back is huge.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Great to hear.  Good to see Buzz's boy Goodman with the confirmation.   

More likely Broeker or Kuykendall breaking it nationally to pay back the local media for making up stories on the Jake Thomas transfer. 

[jsglow]

More likely Broeker or Kuykendall breaking it nationally to pay back the local media for making up stories on the Jake Thomas transfer. 

Great thought Dr.  Butchering the Jake scholly story is simply inexcusable. 

I know that Buzz has sometimes been reluctant to name a Captain but I'd support Chris as a choice for next year.  He's got a lot to teach the new Frosh in their first year on campus.

[ChicosBailBonds]

More likely Broeker or Kuykendall breaking it nationally to pay back the local media for making up stories on the Jake Thomas transfer. 

If MU, Buzz, etc wants some national play, they know who to go to. 

[79Warrior]

Why is this is teal? If Otule said he was coming back today, don't you think JF was highly encouraged to transfer. Let me rephrase this, if Otule decided to leave today, would JF still be transferring?

Yep. With the guys coming in he probably stays on the end of the bench so he made the right move.

[buzz4president]

Hard to see Devante not starting as a Senior though.....

[MUCam]

If MU, Buzz, etc wants some national play, they know who to go to. 

A point you will make ad naseum every time Goodman, et al, write anything related to Marquette.

But hey, that continual passive aggressive point making isn't grating at all.

[brewcity77]

Hard to see Devante not starting as a Senior though.....

Unless you watch Marquette games and understand why CO starts. There is no logical reason Davante would start ahead of Otule. None. Chris will start, Davante will get a few more minutes, just as it has been this year.

[muvanwilder]

Why is this is teal? If Otule said he was coming back today, don't you think JF was highly encouraged to transfer. Let me rephrase this, if Otule decided to leave today, would JF still be transferring?

Yes.
A lot of things can happen still between now and when fall semester is about to start. Buzz knows this. Blue could leave, or even someone else yet.
If he were "buzz cut" don't you think buzz would want to wait a lil more to see how things play out?
Bottom line is he is low man on depth chart, and highly rated guards/wings coming in. Said he wants to be close to home and likely seeking more playing time. I buy that.
I had high hopes for JF, but feared this.

[forgetful]

Hard to see Devante not starting as a Senior though.....

During the end of the season, Otule outperformed Devante in all aspects of the game.

[JakeBarnes]

A point you will make ad naseum every time Goodman, et al, write anything related to Marquette.

But hey, that continual passive aggressive point making isn't grating at all.

It's totally not grating at all to make this thread about your feelings about chicos. Not one bit. I love not talking about the topics, rather the odd fixations of others on message boards.

New rule, and hopefully hilltopper agrees: if you feel like making an "oh, typical chicos" comment, utilize the pm feature. The rest of us could really give two shits.

For the record, I think it is good Marquette can utilize the national media in these instances. Looks like Buzz gained another ally today in Jay Mohr.

[willie warrior]

During the end of the season, Otule outperformed Devante in all aspects of the game.

Hmmmm. Hard to define end of season. If you are talking about the last game when we scored 39 points and Ox had 30% of them--nope. FT%--nope, and so on. Look at Ox's offense compared to Otule--Ox the clear winner. And look who is in at the end of games when close--Ox. For anyone to comment that Otule outperformed Ox in all aspects of the game is unrealistic. Otule is a better defensive player--that is it. And he should be a better defensive player, he is longer than Ox and gas two more years at D1 to learn the position.

[real chili 83]

Unless you watch Marquette games and understand why CO starts. There is no logical reason Davante would start ahead of Otule. None. Chris will start, Davante will get a few more minutes, just as it has been this year.

And they both bring home a NC.  Not a bad deal.

[MUCam]

It's totally not grating at all to make this thread about your feelings about chicos. Not one bit. I love not talking about the topics, rather the odd fixations of others on message boards.

New rule, and hopefully hilltopper agrees: if you feel like making an "oh, typical chicos" comment, utilize the pm feature. The rest of us could really give two craps.

For the record, I think it is good Marquette can utilize the national media in these instances. Looks like Buzz gained another ally today in Jay Mohr.

Fair enough.

[Dr. Blackheart]

If MU, Buzz, etc wants some national play, they know who to go to. 

All Fox, all the time from now now.

[MU82]

I love Vander Blue and what he did for this team. However, Otule's return is much more crucial than Blue's return, in my opinion.

Otule's return not only is more crucial, but MUCH more crucial? Wow.

Let's see ...

Vander personally put the team on his back and delivered our three biggest wins this season -- St. John's, Davidson and Butler.

Blue was the only guy who played 1,000 minutes this season, and he did that despite missing one game with injury. He had 100 more points than anybody else. And there were many games in which he was the only player capable of hitting a shot from outside 10 feet.

As much as I like and appreciate Otule, and as much as I lobbied on this board for him to return for a sixth season, he rarely even plays in the final minutes of close games because his backup is more sure-handed and is a significantly better FT shooter.

I'm selfish. I want them both back. But if I could choose only one, I'd choose  the one who is capable of making a game-saving play -- or even a season-saving play -- at crunch time.

[MU82]

Hard to see Devante not starting as a Senior though.....

A. Hasn't it already been proven that it doesn't matter who starts? Buzz likes that Otule can win the opening tip, can establish that baby hook early in games and set the defensive tone. He then likes bringing in the offensive guy with the huge body. Gardner always plays late in close games because he has great hands, he makes better decisions and, mostly, because he is a superior FT shooter. Buzz mixes and matches depending on situations and will even use them together.

2. Why would Buzz fix something that isn't broken?

[Silkk the Shaka]

A. Hasn't it already been proven that it doesn't matter who starts? Buzz likes that Otule can win the opening tip, can establish that baby hook early in games and set the defensive tone. He then likes bringing in the offensive guy with the huge body. Gardner always plays late in close games because he has great hands, he makes better decisions and, mostly, because he is a superior FT shooter. Buzz mixes and matches depending on situations and will even use them together.

2. Why would Buzz fix something that isn't broken?

This exactly.

[klyrish]

During the end of the season, Otule outperformed Devante in all aspects of the game.

Except for 3-pointers.

[Seamus813]

Except for 3-pointers.

And fast-break Euro Step lay-ups

[Sunbelt15]

Who thought different? Nowhere to go but home(MU).