Oto

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I have to wonder if he is still a bit gun shy from the huge concussive hit he took from Miami's offensive lineman during the NIT. It was a huge hit, and he really does look tentative. At one point today while entering our half court set he nearly tripped over his own two feet.
 

I like Oto, Otto, Ottto. However you spell him, I think he will keep getting better.
 

balds said:
I have to wonder if he is still a bit gun shy from the huge concussive hit he took from Miami's offensive lineman during the NIT. It was a huge hit, and he really does look tentative. At one point today while entering our half court set he nearly tripped over his own two feet.
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I have troubling believing that's the problem. I feel like you can't get to this level in sports if one big thump is going to shell shock you like that, Oto has more heart than that.
 

As I said in the redshirt post. I think Oto is going to have problems all year. He should have had his changed shot perfected prior to the start of the season. It is hard to get the additional shots necessary to perfect a changed shot during a season so it extends the learning curve. He may not be "right" on his shot until the end of the season.
 





His shots yesterday were ugly. Barely touching rim.
 



0-13

0-13 from 3...... Worst statistic I've seen in a long time, especially for a guy that has been sold as our Hoffarber substitute.
 


He just needs to stop shooting the 3 for a while. He is a good combo forward with decent passing skills, a good rebounder, etc. He's just a soph. I think he will be much more solid in the years to come and hopefully the shot will return.
 

Who (with any sort of basketball IQ) has called him our Hoffarber substitute? From where I stand, he appears to be along the trajectory of Jamal Abu-Shamala. Which would be fine with me, his junior and senior years both contained valuable contributions to the team.

I can make a similar argument involving Maverick Ahanmisi and Aaron Robinson, but that is better served in another thread. And there are likely way too many irrational Maverick haters who made up their minds 2 years ago when we threw a totally green freshman point guard into the middle of the Big Ten schedule.
 



I have never called Oto our Hoffarber substitute. But I heard him come with the reputation as a shooter. They way he plays he thinks he's a shooter. Everytime he's open on the 3pt line he lets it fly.
 

Oto has taken a step backward mainly because he seems to be honed in on mechanics rather than just playing basketball and having fun. The term I've heard for this is called "Paralysis by analysis" and it seems to be a perfect reflection of what Oto is doing in his game.
 

I suspect Oto didn't just decide to change his shot, rather the coaching staff, as a means to help him get out of his slump have asked him to change the shot. I've been the biggest Oto defender on this board & will continue to repeat these thoughts....

* His MO coming in was as a 3 point specialist & his shot looked fine up until this year. Shooters have slumps & he'll find a way to get it back on track. I actually applaud Tubby for sticking with him & allowing him to try & shoot his way out of it in the non-conference schedule.

* He's a legit 6'8" (i.e. taller than Rodney, Mbakwe or Ingram) & plays a lot more rugged than I expected when he was signed. He's not JUST a 3 point shooter, he's a "Forward".

* He's going to be a R-Jr next year & a starter or major contributor. I know it may sound crazy to some but this is your starting line-up next season imo....

C-6'11" (R-Jr) Eliason
PF-6'8" (R-Jr) Oto
SF-6'4" (Jr) Coleman
SG-6'4" (Sr) Au Hollins
PG-6'1" (Jr) An Hollins

Key Reserves:
C/PF-6'10" (R-Jr) Walker
G-6'3" (Sr) Ahanmisi
F-6'8" (R-Fr) Buggs
F-6'4" (R-Fr) Ellenson
 

citywok said:
Who (with any sort of basketball IQ) has called him our Hoffarber substitute? From where I stand, he appears to be along the trajectory of Jamal Abu-Shamala. Which would be fine with me, his junior and senior years both contained valuable contributions to the team.

I can make a similar argument involving Maverick Ahanmisi and Aaron Robinson, but that is better served in another thread. And there are likely way too many irrational Maverick haters who made up their minds 2 years ago when we threw a totally green freshman point guard into the middle of the Big Ten schedule.
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I believe it was Oto himself who said he aimed to break B. Hoffarber's 3 point record. Something tells me he won't. He looks fluid, tall and athletic to me. If he finds his shot, and I'm guessing he will, he's going to be huge...next year.
 



Oto will probably start, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Buggs take his spot at some point. I think Buggs is slightly taller and he has all the tools to be a stud. Buggs will be our leading scorer and go-to player before his time is up at the U.
 

If Oto's starting next year.... we're in trouble.
 

Madman said:
If Oto's starting next year.... we're in trouble.
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Is that because he can't get better? Or are you one of those guys that think "well he struggled his last year and again this year, we should cut him because he can't get better!"
 

MadtownGopher said:
Oto will probably start, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Buggs take his spot at some point. I think Buggs is slightly taller and he has all the tools to be a stud. Buggs will be our leading scorer and go-to player before his time is up at the U.
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I will take that bet! I think Wally will have the better points per game average
 

lakesgopher said:
I will take that bet! I think Wally will have the better points per game average
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I'm high on both, but the little I've seen from Buggs (mostly scrimmage highlights) has me extremely excited. He is arguably as athletic as Rodney, an inch taller, better ball handler, and already has an incredibly smooth jumper. He badly needs to put on weight though, which I think is a big reason why he is redshirting. I really like Wally as well, I think that class is really underrated.

How can you not be excited about Buggs' ceiling after seeing these few clips...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oJAFzt983ao#t=49s
 

MadtownGopher said:
I'm high on both, but the little I've seen from Buggs (mostly scrimmage highlights) has me extremely excited. He is arguably as athletic as Rodney, an inch taller, better ball handler, and already has an incredibly smooth jumper. He badly needs to put on weight though, which I think is a big reason why he is redshirting. I really like Wally as well, I think that class is really underrated.

How can you not be excited about Buggs' ceiling after seeing these few clips...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oJAFzt983ao#t=49s
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Well reasoned post. During Buggs' recruitment I was the guy telling everyone A) He's not a PF. He's an athletic SF who shoots the 3. & B) to calm down, because people were shatting their pants over the fact that "He wasn't even a starter on his team". I saw film of him raining 3 pointers & playing well in transition & liked what I saw. I was certain he could play for us & play well, plus he had nice offers (which means a lot imo). That said, he's not a post player, he's not real physical & at 6'8" he's under 200lbs. I don't think he'll be our PF next year, or any year. Hopefully (fingers crossed) we'll have a nice season & be able to cherry pick a top Juco PF to bang under the basket & rebound next year.
 

I think he can play PF like Rodney plays PF. In college you don't need a 6'10 bruiser at the 4, you need someone who can defend the paint and get to the hoop, whether it's by post moves, drives or put backs. Once Buggs puts on some weight he'll be able to play some stretch 4 for us, especially with EE and Mo being large presences at the 5.
 

Didn't Oto say in a recent interview that the coaches wanted to change his shot so that he elevates more during the shot and gets it off faster?

From what I saw last year, his shot was a bit slow and almost flat footed. If he can find his form elevating (like Austin) and getting his hands set as he rises, he could be killer.

He made one last night that was in rythm, he rose straight up and released the ball at the top of his jump...it was sweet. Now he just needs to get that 4-6 times per game and he will open up the whole floor!
 

GopherinPhilly said:
Didn't Oto say in a recent interview that the coaches wanted to change his shot so that he elevates more during the shot and gets it off faster?

From what I saw last year, his shot was a bit slow and almost flat footed. If he can find his form elevating (like Austin) and getting his hands set as he rises, he could be killer.

He made one last night that was in rythm, he rose straight up and released the ball at the top of his jump...it was sweet. Now he just needs to get that 4-6 times per game and he will open up the whole floor!
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Sweet shot last night. Now commit that one to muscle memory and shoot, shoot, shoot!
 


GopherinPhilly said:
Didn't Oto say in a recent interview that the coaches wanted to change his shot so that he elevates more during the shot and gets it off faster?

From what I saw last year, his shot was a bit slow and almost flat footed. If he can find his form elevating (like Austin) and getting his hands set as he rises, he could be killer.

He made one last night that was in rythm, he rose straight up and released the ball at the top of his jump...it was sweet. Now he just needs to get that 4-6 times per game and he will open up the whole floor!
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If he hits 4-6 threes per game the Gophers would be unbelievable. If you meant shoot, then I am fine with that # as long as he makes a decent percentage.

My biggest gripe with Oto is that he doesn't seem to have good ball skills. He doesn't seem to catch well, pass well, dribble well or rebound well. He also isn't a good defender but is long and that helps him some.

He had two dumb fouls last night in his first shift and that is against an inferior opponent with inferior athletes. One of them was on a drive where the guy was going to have to take a very tough shot and he bailed them out. I hate when guys do that.
 

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