Mbakwe article

[TVDirector]

omg.
if true, this is a HUGE blow

[NCMUFan]

Disappointing blow.  U of Minn campus is ok, but now to sit out another year just to play for Tubby makes no sense. He was an integral member here.  Wonder if it was something bigger.  Why did he work out with the team and lead them on?  Something is messed up in him to turn down a MU scholarship and a lead role on the team.  Oh well, See Ya.

[Murffieus]

As I've mentioned many times, Mbakwe was/is a very talented BB player----raw but talented!

However, he did not fit the MU 4 out 1 in system. Ideally, he's a #4 in a 3 out 2 in system where he can work the area of the hoop.

Would have been a backup center here, but wouldn't have been his best postion because of the matchups on both offense and defense.

I also think that he didn't like all the hard work (weights, running, long practices)----Supermario predicted this several years ago

[NCMUFan]

I guess head to St. Paul/Ramsey Community College next to the Cathedral.  Great decision Trevor!  Just kiddin.  Go MU!, Go Burke!, Go Hazel! Go Otule! Go Fulce!, Go Lazar!

[Murffieus]

He didn't fit the MU 4 out and 1 in offensive system. Was a tweener so ideally has to play #4 in a three out two in system---- doesn't have a perimeter shot.

[NYWarrior]

He didn't fit the MU 4 out and 1 in offensive system. Was a tweener so ideally has to play #4 in a three out two in system---- doesn't have a perimeter shot.

Bingo.  Not a huge loss in my opinion. As Buzz himself stated to DeCourcy, "we are very disproportionate, as it compares to our league, to have four scholarships at one position."  Beyond that, one could argue that TM didn't really have a natural position anyway.  This departure will accelerate the proper re-balancing of the roster, ultimately making the program even more competitive.

[reinko]

I say Marquette should put on ban on recruiting anyone from Minnesota.

[bilsu]

It could be he felt that McMorrow and Otule were going to be ahead of him next year. It sounds like Burke was ahead of him this year. I think we could lose other players just because they will not be willing not to be starters. It will give Otlule more minutes this year, which will help in the long run.

[mviale]

It could be he felt that McMorrow and Otule were going to be ahead of him next year. It sounds like Burke was ahead of him this year. I think we could lose other players just because they will not be willing not to be starters. It will give Otlule more minutes this year, which will help in the long run.

I agree - he probably felt he was going to be a major player at MU and the injury created a huge setback.  In the end, TM will probably regret this decision.

[Niv Berkowitz]

I'd like to make a motion that MU no longer recruit players from the Land of the Lakes. Any other takers?


Also, now it will give us a chance to hear more about the one player nobody ever, ever mentions - Pat Hazel.

[nola03]

Also, now it will give us a chance to hear more about the one player nobody ever, ever mentions - Pat Hazel.

Ironic because Hazel seemed to be the player most people wanted to cast off next April to make room for Snaer. Now Hazel has to become the fan favorite and provide 6-8 good bench minutes.

I was under the thinking that Mbakwe would transfer after this season so this catches me completely flush. Good work by Buzz in holding the news until he had a team meeting.

[Dish]

If losing Mbakwe means we can land Wilson, I'm all for it.

[MUfan12]

I can't blame him, he'll end up at one of the JUCO's in Minneapolis for a year, then probably go to Minnesota.

I'm sure being closer to his family had a lot to do with it.

[Blackhat]

We don't need another sf.   We need pf's or C's.

[ecompt]

Jeronne had better qualify now. And I agree with the sentiment that we should just forget about Minnesota players for awhile.

[Blackhat]

Jeronne had better qualify now. And I agree with the sentiment that we should just forget about Minnesota players for awhile.

I think the other people were joking.   It's ludicrous to blame a whole state for Amo and Mbakwe's unstable tenures at MU.  Lets not recruit Florida or Texas because of Boo Christian and Karon Bradley. 

[Niv Berkowitz]

Amo and Mbakwe are the tip of the iceberg. I'm not talking about just guys that had a falling-out or left the school. I'm talking about that and quality of player of late. See Fitzgerald and Kinsella.

[MUfan12]

One nutty kid.   Never did get a good vibe about him. Expectations for next year now become 2nd round/Sweet 16 whereas with Trevor Sweet 16/Elite Eight. 

Completely unfair statement on both points. These personal reasons are very legit, and if you were in his situation you'd have a tough decision to make.

Also on the expectations- we have no idea what his contribution would have been. It would have been an extended freshman year in the BE for him, it's hard to say he'd have a consistent enough impact to make that big of a difference.

[mu_hilltopper]

Amo and Mbakwe are the tip of the iceberg. I'm not talking about just guys that had a falling-out or left the school. I'm talking about that and quality of player of late. See Fitzgerald and Kinsella.

Whoa, whoa.  Leave Fitz alone.  He was no super star, but he was a solid contributor off the bench.  Just because he didn't live up to the Novak standard doesn't mean he was a scrub we never should have had on our team.

[Blackhat]

Completely unfair statement on both points. These personal reasons are very legit, and if you were in his situation you'd have a tough decision to make.

Also on the expectations- we have no idea what his contribution would have been. It would have been an extended freshman year in the BE for him, it's hard to say he'd have a consistent enough impact to make that big of a difference.

You don't spring a decision like this on your teammates and coaches the day before school starts.   Nothing's changed the situation is the same. 

[4everwarriors]

I'm not so certain that this is any great loss. All Trevor ever had going for himself was potential. The fact that people are so worked up over this loss speaks volumes as to how bare Crean left the big man cupboard.

[Big Papi]

Well then Buzz is lying to us because he said he was totally caught off guard on Friday by this announcement...personally, I think he was caught off guard and has been recruiting for another bomb that will drop later (aka...someone doesn't make it academically...or he's doing it just in case they don't make it academically).

I can't wait for Hayward's response to this.   

Actually I wouldn't be surprised that Buzz was in fact recruiting for Mbakwe's scholarship but was shocked and caught off guard that the kid decided to leave so late this year and not wait until after the first semester or in spring.

And for those trying to knock Mbakwe's skills and contributions this year, don't.  This was a huge blow and he would have been a huge contributor this year.  The kid can jump, defend, rebound, block shots and score putbacks.  All areas that we desperately need help in.

[MarquetteFan94]

Absolute garbage....barring some unfortunate situation at home, to wait until now to make his decision is BS.  All the time and energy the coaching staff undoubtedly devoted to this kid this summer is all down the drain.  They could have been spending that time with Hazel, Burke, O'Tule, etc.  This kid was nothing but a big waste of energy. 

Yes, his injury was very unfortunate last season and you cannot blame anyone for that but if his heart wasn't at MU the entire off-season then he should've taken off in May.  What a waste. 

I'm hopeful that Hazel made significant progress in the off-season, that Burke continued his development and that we get some pleasant surprises out of O'Tule, Fulce and co.

[ecompt]

actually, my comment about Minnesota goes all the way back to Rod Grosse. Comparing Minnesota to Texas is apples and oranges. Texas has become a huge hoops hotbed. Minnesota, well...you can win without ever recruiting in the state.

[PJDunn]

Yeah, but once you throw Tom Copa into the mix Minnesota looks a lot better!