Welcome Me, Eagles. Welcome Me.
At the depressingly desperate request of Admiral Ackbar, S.J., I regrettably make my debut here on the Anonymous Eagle. Seriously, he was begging at my feet.
My name is Marc, but you can call me Chris Grimmace. I got the name from one of the best (ok, ok, let's say " most appreciated") players in Marquette history and Mr. Moving Screen himself, Chris Grimm. Pair that with one of the greatest corporate mascots in corporate mascot history, Grimmace. I'm so clever it's scary.
Anyway, let's stop focusing on how humble I am and start talking MU basketball. I \was able to check out our boys at the Scion Dental Pro-Am last Saturday and wanted to throw out my thoughts on some of our current and soon-to-be Golden Eagles.
Current Players
Darius Johnson-Odom - Disclosure, this was a tournament of pick-up proportions and defense wasn't exactly on the mind of the players. Despite that, it looks like that DJO has definitely improved. Not only from an ability standpoint, but he looks very confident in his game. Three's, effortless infiltration of the lane and a disturbingly good windmill jam made his appearance more than enough to get me excited for his 10/11 campaign. This may be Jimmy Butler's team, but he may be the go-to man.
Junior Cadougan - Definitely has improved his speed and court visibility, but I worry about our future version of Khalid El-Amin. He didn't seem very animated and happy to be where he was, even though he made some pretty note-worthy plays. It looks as if he's recovered, but he's going to have to work harder than that to be a consistent starting point guard. Apparently we have a lot of guards....? News to me.
Joe Fulce - I think I speak for a lot of people here when I say that I hope he does well, and by "does well" I mean more than taking baseline jumpers (That's Dan Gadzuric's game, jack!). He didn't have much to compete with, considering what his nightly competition will be, but he was dominant on the glass.
Recruits
Vander Blue - What more can I say that hasn't already been said by Rosiak and Winn? This guy is for real. His game was the one to watch at the Pro-Am on Saturday - close throughout, featured Wilson vs. Blue and was very much back and forth. Out of his team's first 30 points, I feel like he had at least 20 - 25 of them. Hard to keep tracked when you're mesmerized with his combination of speed and strength. Winn sees a future NBAer - hope he's right.
Jamil Wilson - The most purely athletic recruit we've had since D. James. He can sky very very high and has the inside/outside game of Hayward and Butler. He could honestly be lethal in the Big East. Marquette has constantly had problems with the type of guys who can post up and play the wing - he is definitely that kind of threat. He had an alley-oop jam that everybody in the gym saw coming, but were still amazed with.
Devonte Gardner - Kind of looked asleep out there. He was matched up with Quemont Greer (yes, him.), who dominated the post and mid-range, but he was the slowest Marquette player out there (and I don't think it was entirely due to his size) and his lack of productivity was concerning. Hopefully he can come through and provide a few minutes rest for Otule and Fulce - they're going to need it.
Former Players
Wes Matthews - The new Trail Blazer (talk about an awesome Jersey Tee) was leading his team as coach. Pretty cool to see him educating the younger players. Guess he gained some knowledge after guarding Kobe and 'Melo.
Chris Grimm - He had a moving screen foul within the first ten minutes. No joke. Wes was cracking up on the bench. Man, do I miss the big Night Train.
That's it for me tonight - hope my first post didn't send you for the hills. I hope to win hearts, minds and a lot of arguments in the future. Sincerely, Grimmace.
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Jamil Wilson
He can post up and play the wing? Sounds like he’d be perfect for the swing
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
Can he throw
a crisp, two-handed chest pass?
SRS BSNS
by Rubie Q on Jul 20, 2010 7:30 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Damn
Grimmace. I wasn’t expecting you to actually write something write away, but I’ll take it.
Suck it monkeys, I'm going corporate!
by Admiral Ackbar, S.J. on Jul 20, 2010 8:33 AM CDT reply actions
Take this – what’s Admiral Ackbar’s favorite style of defense?
by ChrisGrimmace on Jul 20, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Insulting the boss
on day one?
Shame on you.
Suck it monkeys, I'm going corporate!
by Admiral Ackbar, S.J. on Jul 20, 2010 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Is anyone else really excited about this team's potential?
It may not be this year, but considering the amount of talent, athleticism, and depth that this team now has, I can’t help but think that we might be REALLY good during DJO’s senior campaign. I think the pieces are in place, it’s just a matter of whether or not Buzz can properly utilize what he has.
I'm intrigued
Whenever someone asks me what I think Marquette’s gonna be like this year, I answer “Good.” I think we’re gonna be good, and I don’t know how anyone could argue against that.
It’ll be interesting to see if we can develop, and actually use, some of the depth we seem to be acquiring. Or are Jimmy Butler and DJO going to be playing 39 minutes a night?
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 20, 2010 11:58 AM CDT reply actions
From the beating a dead horse department
We still don’t have a viable inside presence. Until we do, we’ll be “good” and settle around the 6-10 seed territory and be very vulnerable to matchup problems in the tournament.
We’re like the 80s Dolphins. One piece away from the being a serious contender. In the meantime, we are fun to watch and a hell of a lot of fun to play on a video game (if there was a college basketball video game).
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
by Warrior Brad on Jul 20, 2010 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I contend....
that the rotation of Fulce, Otule, Crowder and Gardner is the best inside presence that we’ve had since the Final Four era. The 4 offer 4 different sizes and skill sets that we can throw at our opponents throughout the game. And while they may not offer much from an offensive perspective, the mere fact that we can actually have a rotation at least allows them to have enough energy to fight against bigger opponents.
I’m really curious to see who will be the opening day starters and if that will change come Big East play considering all the newcomers we have.
Pretty heady praise
for two guys who have zero Division I experience, another guy who hasn’t stayed healthy for two years, and a guy who got 11 mpg last season on a team that was desperate for inside help.
SRS BSNS
Also
Crowder sees himself as a 2/3. Just sayin
From the reports I’ve read, Gardner has a ways to go until he’s a viable body to throw around.
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
by Warrior Brad on Jul 20, 2010 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Jeronne Maymon saw himself as a 2/3
We all saw how that worked out.
It should be an easy sell to get Jae to play the 4(ish) spot: Lazar Hayward did this, did it well, and he was a first round pick.
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 20, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Beat me to the punch Kensington
Alot of players see themselves in a position that they likely won’t play. Will Crowder see time at the 2/3? I’m sure he will down the road depending on the rotation, but he is likely a 4 on this team.
What about your boy E-Will?
Do you put him in that “inside presence” rotation?
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 20, 2010 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions
In a word...no
I see E-Will playing the 3/4 because of his height, length, and athleticism which allows him to block shots and board. I doubt he will play the 5 because he is too thin and not strong enough. Zar was short, but he’s strong as an ox which compensates for his defficiency in height.
And fyi Kensington, I’m not giving up on E-Will yet. I think he’s going to be a legitimate contributor this year.
I hope so
I’m rooting for the kid for sure. I hope he finds his way into the rotation this year.
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 20, 2010 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh
And, Welcome Grimmace. Thanks for the write-up. Just do us a favor and try to not to deliver any forearm shivers while “setting” those screens.
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 20, 2010 12:04 PM CDT reply actions
What could is a screen if it doesn’ t give the defender nightmares?
by ChrisGrimmace on Jul 20, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Fulce
I think that Fulce is this year’s X factor. If he averages 10 & 5, it could be a really nice year. Caution, I’m being optimisitc here, but I think he can provide that production.
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
You put
Shawn Marion, Michelangelo (the ninja turtle, not the artist), Ralph Macchio, and some Honey Bunches of Oats in a blender, you get Joe Fulce.
SRS BSNS
And Jesus
Don’t forget Jesus. That’s an essential ingredient in the Joe Fulce smoothie.
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 21, 2010 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I like Fulce
I gained a new appreciation for what Fulce is capabale of last year. He went from pulling up for short jumpers and the entire crowd shouting “NO!!!” To passing up shots and having people say “Why didn’t he shoot that.” I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be optimistic about his contributions this year.
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 21, 2010 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I was still shouting "NO!!" at the end of the year.
I plan to continue that practice this season.
SRS BSNS
Not me!
I said early on “that’s his shot!” Everyone looked at me like I had a conjoined fetus twin on my head, but I stuck by it.
by Mr. Kensington on Jul 21, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions

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