OMax a starter?

[mileskishnish72]

I have to say that I have been disappointed with OMax this year. I didn't know what to expect from him but when Shaka made him a starter I thought good things would happen.  Not to argue with Shaka's judgment as to who's practicing well, deserves to start, etc.

He certainly shows  evidence of physicality but the shooting is just not there, He also has a tendency to believe that he's a dribbler/ball handler which often doesn't work out well. He takes off with the best of intentions, but offensive fouls often happen.

For my money, Oso is a better player. Is Shak being cagey, holding Oso out? Or am I missing something and OMax is better than he looks?

[tower912]

MU's record is far better when he starts.

[We R Final Four]

When OMax leads the break…..I cringe.

[PGsHeroes32]

Well, as mentioned in the game thread by someone. Omax is kinda that perfect example of a guy who is either great or really bad. Doesnt have an inbetween right now.

He starts because he can do a lot of little things, has length and athleticism.

Shaka knows when hes off and reduces his minutes quickly in those games

As for Oso........he would never be the one to replace Omax. Oso is a 5 and he splits that with Kur. Both starting together is not the recipe for the team defense/offense and for fouls.

If Omax goes back to bench it would be for someone like Kam again.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

He can rebound and can guard a little. Absolutely no reason to change it up now.

[mileskishnish72]

Can't say it hasn't been working.

[panda]

He deservedly so lost his starting spot earlier this season. 

He still deserves to start now.

[JTJ3]

Omax and Oso play completely different positions

[avid1010]

I have to say that I have been disappointed with OMax this year. I didn't know what to expect from him but when Shaka made him a starter I thought good things would happen.  Not to argue with Shaka's judgment as to who's practicing well, deserves to start, etc.

He certainly shows  evidence of physicality but the shooting is just not there, He also has a tendency to believe that he's a dribbler/ball handler which often doesn't work out well. He takes off with the best of intentions, but offensive fouls often happen.

For my money, Oso is a better player. Is Shak being cagey, holding Oso out? Or am I missing something and OMax is better than he looks?

Not to be a prick,  but if you think Oso should start in place of OMax and side-by-side with Kur you're missing the game.

[tower912]

The way this team is structured, Kur and Osa cannot play next to each other, except in certain end of game situations, which we have recently seen.       When OMP is struggling, Shaka goes 3 guard.   

[jfp61]

I think you keep starting OMax. Only other real option is Kam, and Kam is great, but it feels like he only shows up at home.

[Newsdreams]

I think you keep starting OMax. Only other real option is Kam, and Kam is great, but it feels like he only shows up at home.

Background issues for Kam

[brewcity77]

Watch him on the other end of the floor. That's why he starts.

[NCMUFan]

Why mess with winning.

[WarriorFan]

It's nice to have a 6'8 guy who can play good D. 

It's offense where he goes missing.  He's just going too fast.  He needs to watch Lewis a bit, and learn.

[Markusquette]

I mean clearly Greg and Kam are better, but we've won 5 games in a row. O-Max has been struggling most of the time but I think Shaka just likes his length and rebounding for early matchups. Plus Greg and Kam seem to thrive off the bench anyway.

[MuggsyB]

Shaka knows what he he's doing. Start him.  Give him every chance to be as productive as possible. I just feel he needs to slow down a bit, stop forcing off the bounce, and use his strength more vs smalls in the paint. 

[NWarsh]

Who starts is overrated. Look at who plays the minutes and who closes.

[MUfan12]

He's their second best defender and can switch damn near everything. I'm good with him starting.

[Jockey]

Keep starting him. I love bringing in shooters off the bench

[mugrad_89]

I get that OMax is hot and cold offensively, but his defense on Gillespie is one of the big reasons Marquette got the W against Villanova.

[MU82]

There is no down side to starting O-Max.

He rebounds and plays D and is high-energy. If he happens to have one of his better offensive games, you give him 25-30 minutes and get the best of both worlds.

If he struggles, you give most minutes to Kam, Greg or others. You pay for it some on the boards but you add 3-point shooting and other offensive pluses.

And of course, if Shaka decides to start Kam instead, as happened earlier this season, that's OK too.

Maybe Shaka has learned that, from an ego-management standpoint, O-Max "needs" to start while Kam is good off the bench. Whatever ... I trust that Shaka knows his team better than any of us do.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Don't mess with happy.

[nyg]

I get that OMax is hot and cold offensively, but his defense on Gillespie is one of the big reasons Marquette got the W against Villanova.

Uh, no.
Omax started on him, but was quickly replaced by Morsell/Kolek. 
Omax only played 15 minutes of the game. 

Continue starting him, if any offense from him, keep in. If not sub him out.  He missed two wide open threes and had a bad turnover early. Didn’t see much action today either.   13 minutes, 1 for 6 from field, 0 for 3 on threes. 

[Viper]

I have to say that I have been disappointed with OMax this year. I didn't know what to expect from him but when Shaka made him a starter I thought good things would happen.  Not to argue with Shaka's judgment as to who's practicing well, deserves to start, etc.

He certainly shows  evidence of physicality but the shooting is just not there, He also has a tendency to believe that he's a dribbler/ball handler which often doesn't work out well. He takes off with the best of intentions, but offensive fouls often happen.

For my money, Oso is a better player. Is Shak being cagey, holding Oso out? Or am I missing something and OMax is better than he looks?

keep sending him out

[Elonsmusk]

He's their second best defender and can switch damn near everything. I'm good with him starting.

I agree with this analysis.  His offensive game will improve, and in my opinion is just a year away from being more consistent/improved.  High ceiling.

[Goose]

This team has now gotten off to a half dozen fast starts in a row and that has been a big part of the run. Why would you change up the starting lineup? Plus, Shaka has shown that he plays everyone and goes with guys that give him the best chance to win.

[The Lens]

your start defense, you bring offense off the bench.

That's basketball 101

[GooooMarquette]

your start defense, you bring offense off the bench.

Yep. And if it ain't broke....

[Milkshakes]

It's nice to have a 6'8 guy who can play good D. 

It's offense where he goes missing.  He's just going too fast.  He needs to watch Lewis a bit, and learn.

This 100%. he plays good D and his length is a problem for most of the guys on the floor. I love when he is the guy putting the pressure on full court after a made basket.

On offense he is in 5th gear ALL of the time. If he could slow down and let the game come to him I think he would be much better. I think of that fast break where he missed the dunk and his momentum carried him completely horizontal past the basket. Just out of control. Love the 5th gear 100% on defense - and that is why he starts - find a lower gear on offense. 

[Uncle Rico]

OMax has doubled his minutes from last year, increased his efficiency (ever so slightly), improved his shooting, defensive rebounding (offensive rebounding has plummeted) and is creating more steals.  He’s 8th in the nation in steals in conference play.

Turnover rate is up and could improve, but it’s not terrible. 

His defense alone warrants his playing time, especially at the start of games and closing with leads.  If he continues his improvement on offense, he’ll leave Marquette as a guy fans reminisce about for a long time

[rgoode57]

I was very underwhelmed by Omax at the start of the season and was not surprised when he lost the starting slot for a couple of games. But then he had a great game a couple of weeks ago (cannot remember the opponent) anf I thought the light bulb has finally come on for him. But, since that one game, he has gone back to poor offensive play. But, that one game made me start watching him more closely, and he does, in fact, add a lot on the defensive end of the floor. Surely he will slow down and start playing under control on the offensive end eventually. I just hope it is sometime yet this season.

[BM1090]

He's their second best defender and can switch damn near everything. I'm good with him starting.

Number one being Morsell or Kuath?

[JakeBarnes]

Number one being Morsell or Kuath?

Morsell is the correct answer, but both are very good.

[MUfan12]

Morsell is the correct answer, but both are very good.

Yep. Kur is a phenomenal rim protector. But OMax's versatility is why I give him the nod.

[BM1090]

Yep. Kur is a phenomenal rim protector. But OMax's versatility is why I give him the nod.

I'd rank them the same way but was curious.

No doubt those are or top 3 defenders. Stevie, Tyler and Justin aren't bad either. Kam and Jop will grow. Greg is what he is at this point.

[Jay Bee]

He’s 8th in the nation in steals in conference play.

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