Front court 2007-2008 vs 2008-2009

[downtown85]

I was just thinking what is a potentially stronger front court?

A front court that we will field this year:

Ouze
Burke
Fitz
Hayward
Blackledge
Hazel

or the front court we will play with next year:

Otule
Burke
Hayward
Mbakwe
Fulce
Hazel

A primary rotation of Otule, Hayward, Mbakwe, and Fulce with some sub time from Burke and Hazel could in theory be pretty formidable.  However, there is not a serious 3pt threat among them.  It will be interesting to see how Crean adjust the game plan to the new personnel.  In theory the 08-09 group can be more physical and play more of a post up game. 

I am really hoping that Otule is a player who has been missed by the major recruiting services and will be a monster in the paint.  He seems to have far more upside than Barro ever had.  The stats from his last two high school games seem to suggest he is better than what maybe some of the experts thought.  I hope he continues his development throughout this year and can be an early contributor at MU. 

Which front court would you rather have?  07-08's? or 08-09's?

[lovebaroney]

Why do you guys keep dogging Burke?  You think Fulce and Otule will get more time over the then senior Burke?  He was by far the best big man on the court vs. UVS.

And Hazel is largely worthless.

[BuzzSucksSucks]

That's cold.  Sheeesh. 

[ilovefreeway]

Why do you guys keep dogging Burke?  You think Fulce and Otule will get more time over the then senior Burke?  He was by far the best big man on the court vs. UVS.

And Hazel is largely worthless.

Hazel = Burke two years ago.  Let us not call him worthless unless he is still the 12th man two years from now.

[BuzzSucksSucks]

Hey, even in that scenario he could still start 3 years from now.  I disagree with where both of you guys are coming from.  That's no way to treat our newest guy.

[mu_hilltopper]

An the nominee for most ignorant comment of the week goes to ...

[Murffieus]

I'll be very surprised if Otule gets a lot of PT next year as Burke is quickly adjusting to TC's system and will be a senior and even more improved (very hard worker)-----Fulce has a better chance with Fitz gone----won't beat out Hayward at #4, but has to beat out Hazel there-----IMO that's a tossup!

[77ncaachamps]

Why do you guys keep dogging Burke?  You think Fulce and Otule will get more time over the then senior Burke?  He was by far the best big man on the court vs. UVS.

And Hazel is largely worthless.

He is by far the best big man because we don't have many.

When more players enter the scene, Burke's not so enormously talented to set himself apart from the incoming frosh. I agree with the above poster somewhat that the positions will be open again to competition. It is early to say Burke won't produce like he did against UVS, but looking at his track record - or however small amount of games that was - I don't think he'll be your starting F/C next year.

[Big Papi]

Considering we have not seen much from Barro this year, next year's frontcourt looks to be much much stronger than this year.  That is if Mbakwe really was in the mix for a starting spot this year.  Mbakwe is a special talent is probably way ahead of Fulce, Hazel and O'Tule so I can expect Mbakwe to pick up a lot of minutes next year (25+) with O'Tule providing some backup minutes somewhere along the line of 5-8 minutes.  Burke, Mbakwe and Hawyard will be your primary guys at the 4 and 5.  Fulce will probably see spot duty in the neighborhood of 5-8 minutes backing up Matthews.  Hazel will probably pickup a few minutes here and there.  Oh by the way, Hazel is not worthless but we won't see his impact until he is a Junior/Senior year.

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

They've played 2 of 35 games and we're already discussing next year.

Wow.

[IAmMarquette]

They've played 2 of 35 games and we're already discussing next year.

Wow.

Second.

[Doctor V]

seems as though some people tend to think next year has more upside than this one?? highly doubt it with DJ, ous, and fitz gone. dont underestimate ous, he will come back and have a solid year. many people tend to be too much about the 'what have you done for me lately' but its pretty fair to say that ous is still our best option on the frontcourt, even though he has not shown it thus far

[downtown85]

They've played 2 of 35 games and we're already discussing next year.

Wow.

Sorry about that but I started the thread to talk more about the incoming foward recruits + Mbakwe vs. the 3 seniors who will be leaving (all front court players).  I have been guilty of calling 2008 a pretty ho-hum or mediocre recruiting class but the more I think of it, it is probably an upgrade, at least at the forward position.