Chris Otule to visit MU this weekend

[NYWarrior]

6'10" PF/C from Fort Bend Bush High School near Houston

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=680070

[TallTitan34]

The Golden Eagles have just three scholarships available, but it's likely coach Tom Crean will push for a fourth commitment this weekend when 6-10 Texan Chris Otule visits.

Dominic is gone and I think Crean knows it.  Especially since he is on track to graduate at the end of this year.

I realize we over-committed last year thinking he was gone but this seems like a safer bet.

[Pakuni]

A few of blurbs out there about Chris Otule. Sounds a bit like Ousmane Barro, Part Deux:

"Chris Otule 6'9"     2008    Bush (Fort Bend TX)
Among the nation's top post sleepers, Otule is a beast in the paint and a looming presence on the defensive end."

http://www.fullctpress.net/page/page/4827852.htm

From his AAU team site:

http://www.houstonlynx.org/

NOTES: Chris grew 7 inches in one year. This impacted his coordination and development for a while and put him behind in learning his new post position. He is gaining skill and confidence rapidly and with continued body development, his upside as a true center should be large. He is already an effective shot blocker and is discovering what a powerful player he is capable of being.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/fnesports/vpost?id=2171803&trail=15#12

CHRIS is a raw prospect with a ton of upside potential. He is a big bodied paint player, has very good hands and feet for a player his size, is quick off the floor and a very good shot blocker. He keeps rebounds alive off the glass, runs the floor pretty well and has long arms. He is still raw offensively mainly relying on his length and size to get buckets right around the goal. He is a very intriguing prospect who could continue to improve as he puts all the pieces together.

[LastWarrior]

A few of blurbs out there about Chris Otule. Sounds a bit like Ousmane Barro, Part Deux:

"Chris Otule 6'9"     2008    Bush (Fort Bend TX)
Among the nation's top post sleepers, Otule is a beast in the paint and a looming presence on the defensive end."

http://www.fullctpress.net/page/page/4827852.htm

From his AAU team site:

http://www.houstonlynx.org/

NOTES: Chris grew 7 inches in one year. This impacted his coordination and development for a while and put him behind in learning his new post position. He is gaining skill and confidence rapidly and with continued body development, his upside as a true center should be large. He is already an effective shot blocker and is discovering what a powerful player he is capable of being.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/fnesports/vpost?id=2171803&trail=15#12

CHRIS is a raw prospect with a ton of upside potential. He is a big bodied paint player, has very good hands and feet for a player his size, is quick off the floor and a very good shot blocker. He keeps rebounds alive off the glass, runs the floor pretty well and has long arms. He is still raw offensively mainly relying on his length and size to get buckets right around the goal. He is a very intriguing prospect who could continue to improve as he puts all the pieces together.

Us Marquette fans drooling...

[Big Papi]

Now I know that Otule is going to be raw and probably won't see a lot of playing time right away but what I love about the kid is that he is already an effective shot blocker.  Add him to Mbakwe and our shot blocks should sky rocket to heights we haven't seen since Jimmy Mac was here.  Add quick talented physical wings and guards to the mix and you might as well call us the Running Rebels, Golden Eagles, Warriors oh you get the point.

[Tulsa Warrior]

I like the fact that Chris is visiting with his father.  Marquette's strong family orientation should be a major selling point.

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

Jakub Kusmieruk a 7'4" center from Poland has MU on his list.  Does anyone know anything about this 2008 recruit?

[Pakuni]

Jakub Kusmieruk a 7'4" center from Poland has MU on his list.  Does anyone know anything about this 2008 recruit?

aka "Big Kuba"

http://www.polishshootout.com.pl/en/index.php?mod=pnws&id=10&PHPSESSID=c40d4a4bc06078580b091f25b101e9f9

Some more:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-23-76/17--7-4--and-Sweaty--The-Making-of-a-Big-Man.html

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

Pakuni...muchos gracias

Looks like he has the right attitude and no one would push him around judging by the size of his calves and shoulders.

[downtown85]

Both Otule and Jakub Kusmieruk are projects.  However, if we had the schollies we could take both and perhaps one would become the next Aaron Gray or Roy Hibbert.  But we are already full for 2008...with 2 guards and 1 small forward. :-(

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

If we do not get a 5 or a Big 4 we are looking at Burke/Mbakwe at Center and Hazel/Lazar at PF.  I sure hope we land one more recruit (210 cm or taller) even if it means one of the big three leaves early (Hopefully by earning an NBA pick).

[Pakuni]

Both Otule and Jakub Kusmieruk are projects.  However, if we had the schollies we could take both and perhaps one would become the next Aaron Gray or Roy Hibbert.  But we are already full for 2008...with 2 guards and 1 small forward. :-(

I think Kusmieruk might come with some added concerns beyind the fact he's a project. Obviously he's looking for an NBA career, which hardly is unusual. But a lot of foreign players like him have come over to the states for a year or two, realized that they're probably not NBA material, then high-tailed it back to Europe to play pro ball there. I wonder whether it would be a wise move to give a scholarship and work to develop such a raw player knowing that he may have no interest in sticking around long enough for the coaching staff's commitment and effort to pay off.

As for being without another scholarship for 2008, I think everyone is working off the assumption that this definitely is DJ's last year at Marquette so the coaching staff has an extra scholie with which to work.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Jakub Kusmieruk a 7'4" center from Poland has MU on his list.  Does anyone know anything about this 2008 recruit?

aka "Big Kuba"

http://www.polishshootout.com.pl/en/index.php?mod=pnws&id=10&PHPSESSID=c40d4a4bc06078580b091f25b101e9f9

Some more:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-23-76/17--7-4--and-Sweaty--The-Making-of-a-Big-Man.html

I will never really judge a player based upon 30 seconds of video, because I'm not that naive and obviously the MU coaches and recruiting gurus have seen him play a lot.

BUT, from this video the kid looks pretty brutal. Poor footwork and bricks for hands. Also, why is the coach having him work on "up and unders"? He should work on never bringing the ball below his head and gathering himself to go back up. Guys over 7'0 should RARELY power dribble or put the ball on the floor at all. It immediately negates their height advantage.

Anyways, I'm sure there are plenty of coaches working with and watching him... so hopefully he's rapidly improving.

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-23-76/17--7-4--and-Sweaty--The-Making-of-a-Big-Man.html
[/quote]

I will never really judge a player based upon 30 seconds of video, because I'm not that naive and obviously the MU coaches and recruiting gurus have seen him play a lot.

BUT, from this video the kid looks pretty brutal. Poor footwork and bricks for hands. Also, why is the coach having him work on "up and unders"? He should work on never bringing the ball below his head and gathering himself to go back up. Guys over 7'0 should RARELY power dribble or put the ball on the floor at all. It immediately negates their height advantage.

Anyways, I'm sure there are plenty of coaches working with and watching him... so hopefully he's rapidly improving.

[/quote]

MU's biggest need is someone to rebound and defend in the post.  Someone who does not get pushed out of position and is in position when our guards shoot

[downtown85]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-23-76/17--7-4--and-Sweaty--The-Making-of-a-Big-Man.html

I will never really judge a player based upon 30 seconds of video, because I'm not that naive and obviously the MU coaches and recruiting gurus have seen him play a lot.

BUT, from this video the kid looks pretty brutal. Poor footwork and bricks for hands. Also, why is the coach having him work on "up and unders"? He should work on never bringing the ball below his head and gathering himself to go back up. Guys over 7'0 should RARELY power dribble or put the ball on the floor at all. It immediately negates their height advantage.

Anyways, I'm sure there are plenty of coaches working with and watching him... so hopefully he's rapidly improving.

[/quote]

MU's biggest need is someone to rebound and defend in the post.  Someone who does not get pushed out of position and is in position when our guards shoot
[/quote]

And imagine if one of these 2 to 3 star big men actually develop and become a high first rounder in the NBA draft... Suddenly TC (and MU) will have the reputation of developing big men.  Lots of bigs would be knocking on our door and the program will have reached the next level.

It's nice to dream, anyway.  But if you don't take the risk on a couple of these guys, you will never know.  Besides, the 5 guard attack is probably not an effective in the long run. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-23-76/17--7-4--and-Sweaty--The-Making-of-a-Big-Man.html

I will never really judge a player based upon 30 seconds of video, because I'm not that naive and obviously the MU coaches and recruiting gurus have seen him play a lot.

BUT, from this video the kid looks pretty brutal. Poor footwork and bricks for hands. Also, why is the coach having him work on "up and unders"? He should work on never bringing the ball below his head and gathering himself to go back up. Guys over 7'0 should RARELY power dribble or put the ball on the floor at all. It immediately negates their height advantage.

Anyways, I'm sure there are plenty of coaches working with and watching him... so hopefully he's rapidly improving.

MU's biggest need is someone to rebound and defend in the post.  Someone who does not get pushed out of position and is in position when our guards shoot
[/quote]

And imagine if one of these 2 to 3 star big men actually develop and become a high first rounder in the NBA draft... Suddenly TC (and MU) will have the reputation of developing big men.  Lots of bigs would be knocking on our door and the program will have reached the next level.

It's nice to dream, anyway.  But if you don't take the risk on a couple of these guys, you will never know.  Besides, the 5 guard attack is probably not an effective in the long run. 
[/quote]

I agree with both of you... I guess I was just underwhelmed when watching the video. Obviously with his size and some coaching he could develop.

[bs4173]

Does anybody know of any sites with video footage on Otule?

[augoman]

I was impressed w/ the fact that big kuba could catch the ball w/ one hand!  When J Whitehead came here, he had hands of cement- yet he was the missing link for us and played for about 100 years in the NBA!  Wouldn't it be great luxury to have them both and all the options that would provide!