[Rosiak's Blog] MU lifts redshirt on Mbakwe; will play tonight

[ToddRosiakSays]

MU lifts redshirt on Mbakwe; will play tonight


In a surprising and somewhat unexpected move, the Marquette Golden Eagles have lifted the redshirt on freshman forward Trevor Mbakwe, and plan to make him available tonight for their game against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Mbakwe, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward, had been out since injuring his left knee on Nov. 1 and subsequently undergoing what was believed to be season-ending surgery.

Mbakwe's rehabilitation had been ahead of schedule, however, and he had working out extensively with the team in recent weeks since receiving medical clearance to do so.

"It got to the point that my rehab workouts were harder than actually practicing and playing," Mbakwe said in a release. "I'm glad I was finally allowed to test the knee and to be cleared.  Waiting has been really hard but I knew all along that at some point I was going to be able to come back and help our team this season."

The move, which Mbakwe discussed extensively with coach Tom Crean, figures to provide an immediate boost to what has been a problem area for the Golden Eagles for much of the season. Although his conditioning will probably be an issue early on, Mbakwe should be able to make an impact with his ability to both rebound and defend in the paint.

"Trevor made it clear to us early in the rehabilitation process his desire to return this season and we told him that the possibility to return would be a decision made by our medical staff," said Crean.  "He worked extremely hard throughout his rehabilitation and our team is excited to have him back."

By lifting the redshirt, Mbakwe will only have the remainder of the season for freshman eligibility purposes. He'll begin next season as a sophomore.



http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/02/15/mu-lifts-redshirt-on-mbakwe-will-play-tonight.aspx

[mu03eng]

Holy crap, really??  It just seems at this point given how Hayward struggled last season missing the first month that this would be throwing away a season.  Guess we get to see what having Mbakwe playing all season would have done for us.

[shafted20]

I was just about to post that article. That's great news because we need someone to slow down Blair. That guy's a tank.

[chapman]

Holy crap, really??  It just seems at this point given how Hayward struggled last season missing the first month that this would be throwing away a season.  Guess we get to see what having Mbakwe playing all season would have done for us.

I guess it will better prepare him for next season.  But overall, unless we get a huge return this season, I don't like his move.  Especially with the decison to not redshirt Christopherson, which semed to be party influenced on having bodies since Mbakwe had already taken up a redshirt.

[ecompt]

I think it's tremendous. Gives us a fresh set of legs and a big body for the final month. Plus, Pitt's gameplan didn't involve him; maybe it's another body for Blair and Young to worry about.

[LastWarrior]

Wow... I'm not one to question Coach Crean but wow!!  Let's hope that Trevor has a BIG impact (pun intended) on the team for the remainder of the season.

I don't know about the rest of you but i'm very excited to see Trevor play tonight!!

FIRE UP MARQUETTE!!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Basketball Jesus.

National Title hear we come!

(ok, not really, but man it's fun to say)

[Big Papi]

per Homer.

Sorry missed the post below.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

[NavinRJohnson]

I had a feeling this may happen at some point. I love the move. Obviously he has been practicing, and Crean and staff feel he can come in and contribute. Probably going to make him a whole lot better next year as well.

[chapman]

Also, the line "will play tonight".  That sends a message to Burke to have a freshman stealing away the reduced minutes he's been getting, and to Patrick Hazel to be passed right up on the depth chart.

The article makes it pretty clear that Mbakwe wanted to play now though, and was insistent on it since the beginning of the season.  It's not wasting a year of eligibility if it was his choice.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

I agree... the only thing I can figure is that he is playing so well in practice that coach can't justify keeping him out.

Also, let's face it, redshirting is a player decision as well, so maybe Trevor really wants to play this year.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I agree with 2002alum that it may have been Trevor's decision, but I really think it's extremely questionable. He's sacrificing about 30 games as a senior for 7+ as a freshman? Why!?

I seriously think Crean goes practically mental when ESPN comes to town.

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Trevor Mbakwe cleared to play

OK, I guess it's rip the redshirt off of this talented kid and play for keeps the rest of the way......

For Immediate Release

Freshman Trevor Mbakwe Cleared To Play

Forward Could Make Golden Eagle Debut Friday Night Against Pittsburgh

Milwaukee â€" Freshman forward Trevor Mbakwe has received medical clearance for game competition and is available for this evening’s contest with Pittsburgh.  Mbakwe had been sidelined since November following surgery to repair an isolated fibular collateral ligament sprain to his left knee.

“Trevor has made excellent progress in rehabilitation of his knee injury and he has passed all of the necessary orthopedic and functional tests,” said team physician Dr. Ted Gertel.

He received clearance to resume basketball activities several weeks ago by the team’s medical staff.

“It got to the point that my rehab workouts were harder than actually practicing and playing.  I’m glad I was finally allowed to test the knee and to be cleared.  Waiting has been really hard but I knew all along that at some point I was going to be able to come back and help our team this season,” said Mbakwe.

Mbakwe (M-bahk-we), a native of St. Paul, Minn., averaged 21.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocks during his senior season at St. Bernard’s High School in 2007.

“Trevor made it clear to us early in the rehabilitation process his desire to return this season and we told him that the possibility to return would be a decision made by our medical staff,” said head coach Tom Crean.  â€œHe worked extremely hard throughout his rehabilitation and our team is excited to have him back.”

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/02/trevor-mbakwe-cleared-to-play.html

[GoMarquetteSays]

Freshman Trevor Mbakwe Cleared To Play
         

Freshman forward Trevor Mbakwe has received medical clearance for game competition and is available for this evening's contest with Pittsburgh. Mbakwe had been sidelined since November following surgery to repair an isolated fibular collateral ligament sprain to his left knee.
     

http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/marq/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/021508aaa.html
         

[Big Papi]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

Bubble?  We are in right now, we might play into a bubble.  but anyways, Mbakwe really wants to play so you want TC to tell him no?

[RJax55]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

If Trevor has future problems with the knee, this decision will be questioned forever.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Outdoing the Levance Fields return for Pittsburgh?

[Dish]

What?! Is this serious? I thought (mistakenly I suppose) that he was redshirting.

If he plays, that would be a huge addition for MU from here on out. Wow.

Edit: Didn't see the other thread on this. My bad.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

Mbakwe really wants to play so you want TC to tell him no?

Hell YES!!! Crean is an adult, Mbakwe is a teenager.

[rocky_warrior]

Holy S#1T!!!!  That's awesome.

And my sources say MU is planning on only starting Mbakwe, and he'll be playing the entire 40 minutes alone.  Pitt is doomed!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

If Trevor has future problems with the knee, this decision will be questioned forever.

Only by people with an agenda.   The only way he is cleared to play is if the doctors say he is cleared to play.  It's quite simple.

Doctors and the university are not going to clear him if the knee isn't ready.  The knee is ready, the doctors have cleared him.  They've decided to let him play.  That's a MEDICAL clearance, not a coaching clearance.  Yes, Crean could say no, he's still not going to play.  But the point is if he were to get hurt, then that injury is not a result of "rushing him back" or whatever some are suggesting....he's either cleared to play or he isn't...by qualified medical staff.

Good luck to Trevor, glad to see he has healed to the point the doctors are good to go with him playing.

[MUfan12]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

If Trevor has future problems with the knee, this decision will be questioned forever.

I see valid points on both sides, but a benefit in the long term is that it balances out the classes scholarship wise. That could be big.

[Chili]

Good Lord -- I hope we're not putting our possible status as a bubble team ahead of a young man's health/future.

This is a real head-scratcher. We've got 7 games left! 

Mbakwe really wants to play so you want TC to tell him no?

Hell YES!!! Crean is an adult, Mbakwe is a teenager.

remember the doctors cleared him.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Chicos -- it doesn't take an "agenda" to question this decision and it's got nothing to do with the strength of his knee. It's about him losing an entire year of eligibility in exchange for less than 10 games. And you know that!