Davante Gardner-possible All American

[mugrad99]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9172844/meeting-watercooler-discuss-potential-breakout-stars-2013-14-college-basketball

[Coleman]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9172844/meeting-watercooler-discuss-potential-breakout-stars-2013-14-college-basketball

And he might not even start. Our frontcourt is going to be so good next year. Its been so long since I've been able to say that about a Marquette team.

[Sunbelt15]

And he might not even start. Our frontcourt is going to be so good next year. Its been so long since I've been able to say that about a Marquette team.

If he does start that would be a tribute to his offseason conditioning or lack there of! In which he shouldn't be an All-American. It would be such a disappointment.

[Rockmic87]

More proof that Vander should stay at MU.

[Rockmic87]

"The only thing holding Gardner back from recognition is playing time, which will continue to be a challenge because of his size (6-foot-8, 290 pounds). He's a beast in the middle, shooting better than 55 percent on 2-pointers in each of his three seasons, and drawing oodles of fouls in the process. He's also a consistent producer on the offensive glass. If Marquette wins the Big East, Gardner figures to be an important reason for it."

So basically they just called DG Fat and out of shape....

[jesmu84]

"The only thing holding Gardner back from recognition is playing time, which will continue to be a challenge because of his size (6-foot-8, 290 pounds). He's a beast in the middle, shooting better than 55 percent on 2-pointers in each of his three seasons, and drawing oodles of fouls in the process. He's also a consistent producer on the offensive glass. If Marquette wins the Big East, Gardner figures to be an important reason for it."

So basically they just called DG Fat and out of shape....

Where did you see this quote? It's not in the article at all...

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

Where did you see this quote? It's not in the article at all...

Yes it is. Did you scroll down to Devante Gardner?

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9173034/ncb-arizona-state-sun-devil-jahii-carson-next-season-all-americans

Davante Gardner, F, Marquette Golden Eagles
The only thing holding Gardner back from recognition is playing time, which will continue to be a challenge because of his size (6-foot-8, 290 pounds). He's a beast in the middle, shooting better than 55 percent on 2-pointers in each of his three seasons, and drawing oodles of fouls in the process. He's also a consistent producer on the offensive glass. If Marquette wins the Big East, Gardner figures to be an important reason for it.

[jesmu84]

Yes it is. Did you scroll down to Devante Gardner?

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9173034/ncb-arizona-state-sun-devil-jahii-carson-next-season-all-americans

Davante Gardner, F, Marquette Golden Eagles
The only thing holding Gardner back from recognition is playing time, which will continue to be a challenge because of his size (6-foot-8, 290 pounds). He's a beast in the middle, shooting better than 55 percent on 2-pointers in each of his three seasons, and drawing oodles of fouls in the process. He's also a consistent producer on the offensive glass. If Marquette wins the Big East, Gardner figures to be an important reason for it.

Got it now. I thought he was referring to the OP article. I never saw a link to that article.

[Les Nessman]

Saying Davante needs to lose weight seems like such an uninformed response by these guys. His size is what makes him so good. No, he isn't going to win any marathons or play 30 minutes a game. He is what he is, a 250+ lb bowling ball with an incredibly soft touch who throws his weight into people and draws a ton of fouls. Explosiveness isn't his game and most likely never will be. I love DeDe for who he is.

[willie warrior]

And he might not even start. Our frontcourt is going to be so good next year. Its been so long since I've been able to say that about a Marquette team.

Hard to believe. I have never understood the Otule starting argument. Supposedly for the tip, but he does not even control that about half the time. There is absolutely no comparison between Otule and Gardner on the offenisve end. Gardner is better shooter, rebounder, passer, FT shooter, assist man, and scorer--hands down.

[netty24]

Hard to believe. I have never understood the Otule starting argument. Supposedly for the tip, but he does not even control that about half the time. There is absolutely no comparison between Otule and Gardner on the offenisve end. Gardner is better shooter, rebounder, passer, FT shooter, assist man, and scorer--hands down.

I think Chris starts mainly because Davante tires quickly and also to keep Davante out of foul trouble. Also, Buzz wants to keep DG fresh for the end-of-game situations to hit free throws, something Chris needs to improve on. I would say that the Chris starting is a great idea and worked out very well this year.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Willie have you missed how hard CO works when he is out there?  He is wearing down the opponents with his efforts and taking up a lot of space constantly fighting for position.

[Coleman]

Hard to believe. I have never understood the Otule starting argument. Supposedly for the tip, but he does not even control that about half the time. There is absolutely no comparison between Otule and Gardner on the offenisve end. Gardner is better shooter, rebounder, passer, FT shooter, assist man, and scorer--hands down.

Would've agreed with you at the beginning last year. Now I'm not so sure. I think Chris gets the start due to his improvement this year and the fact that Devante will only be going 20-25 minutes a game. Buzz will start Chris, although they will probably play equal minutes.

[4th and State]

Hard to believe. I have never understood the Otule starting argument. Supposedly for the tip, but he does not even control that about half the time. There is absolutely no comparison between Otule and Gardner on the offenisve end. Gardner is better shooter, rebounder, passer, FT shooter, assist man, and scorer--hands down.

Gardner would be lucky to win 2 opening tips over the whole season.  Otule is definitely better and Buzz has an obsession over stats like number of possesions so I would be shocked to see Gardner take the tip barring injury.

[MU82]

Hard to believe. I have never understood the Otule starting argument. Supposedly for the tip, but he does not even control that about half the time. There is absolutely no comparison between Otule and Gardner on the offenisve end. Gardner is better shooter, rebounder, passer, FT shooter, assist man, and scorer--hands down.

Did you watch the second half of last season? Did you see the way Otule played defense, not only the shots he blocked but the shots he changed? Did you see he even contributed offensively much of the time with his baby hook?

Otule is a quality, high-level, Division I big man. Any team would be thrilled to have him. Of course, they'd be thrilled to have Davante, too. The fact that Otule starts and plays 15-20 mins keeps Davante out of foul trouble and keeps him fresh so he can play down the stretch of every game for his FT shooting and better hands.

It's the best 1-2 punch in the country and Buzz has expertly handled their playing time.

[martyconlonontherun]

I actually think Otule is the better player. Gardner will go on burst like the SU game, but other times he can't create his own shot. Sometimes Otule works better in the offense because he stays close to the basket for easy layups/dunks and offensive boards. On defense, Otule was just a beast.

[The Thing]

Hard to believe. I have never understood the Otule starting argument. Supposedly for the tip, but he does not even control that about half the time. There is absolutely no comparison between Otule and Gardner on the offenisve end. Gardner is better shooter, rebounder, passer, FT shooter, assist man, and scorer--hands down.

I love Davante but I would rather see Vander tip than him.

[tower912]

Willie, before your hiatus you did nothing but complain about how MU needed bigs.   Our 5 position is now one of the strongest in the country and you are still complaining.   Buzz managed CO and DG's minutes brilliantly this past season.   CO got 15-20, was almost always in crucial defensive situations, blocked and altered shots, and wore out opposing 5's.   DG was almost always in at the end of the game and when he would check in after the first media TO, he was usually either facing an opponent's back-up 5, or a starter with one foul already.    How anybody can be critical of the usage of our centers is beyond me. 

[mr.MUskie]

Let McKay do the tip.  Guy's 6'10 and can jump out of the gym.

[Lennys Tap]

Hard to believe. I have never understood the Otule starting argument. Supposedly for the tip, but he does not even control that about half the time. There is absolutely no comparison between Otule and Gardner on the offenisve end. Gardner is better shooter, rebounder, passer, FT shooter, assist man, and scorer--hands down.

You're locked into a "5 best players must start" mentality. Not necessarily true when you get to this level.There are reasons Davante (and Jamil) don't start, even though they are arguably 2 of our top 3 players (and certainly 2 of our 3 top offensive players). Davante has limited stamina, and its imperative that he be fresh at the end of games, as he's a plus ball handler and our best free throw shooter. Early foul trouble and fatigue are the enemy, so Buzz gives CO more minutes in the first half to wear down the other team's front line and keep Gardner ready to finish. I think it has almost nothing to do with winning the opening tip.

[willie warrior]

I can only say that people that think Otule is definitely better than Gardner are wrong. Look at the stats.  And Otule has two more years of experience. I guess those people are very sure that Otule will be drafted by the NBA. We can wait and see. And starting a guy to win the tip about half the time seems lame to me. Buzz sarted some other guys that only saw about 3 minutes a half, including Erik Williams who is out of basketball, I believe.

Yes, Otule is a hard worker, so is Derrick Wilson, so is Juan Anderson, so is Jake Thomas, so are many other players--does that mean that a hard worker should start? I am glad we have Otule and glad he is coming back, and hope he improves more next year.

[jesmu84]

I can only say that people that think Otule is definitely better than Gardner are wrong. Look at the stats.  And Otule has two more years of experience. I guess those people are very sure that Otule will be drafted by the NBA. We can wait and see. And starting a guy to win the tip about half the time seems lame to me. Buzz sarted some other guys that only saw about 3 minutes a half, including Erik Williams who is out of basketball, I believe.

Yes, Otule is a hard worker, so is Derrick Wilson, so is Juan Anderson, so is Jake Thomas, so are many other players--does that mean that a hard worker should start? I am glad we have Otule and glad he is coming back, and hope he improves more next year.

Offensive stats, yes. What about defensive stats? Or what about offensive things like sealing the lane that Otule does much better than Gardner? Those aren't measured at all.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Offensive stats, yes. What about defensive stats? Or what about offensive things like sealing the lane that Otule does much better than Gardner? Those aren't measured at all.

Don't argue with Willie.  It doesn't achieve a single thing.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Anyone else see JFB take the tip for the Bulls the other night? Boozer should be ashamed of himself.

[96warrior]

Saying Davante needs to lose weight seems like such an uninformed response by these guys. His size is what makes him so good. No, he isn't going to win any marathons or play 30 minutes a game. He is what he is, a 250+ lb bowling ball with an incredibly soft touch who throws his weight into people and draws a ton of fouls. Explosiveness isn't his game and most likely never will be. I love DeDe for who he is.

Agree completely on everything you've said.