Player breakdown: Chris Otule

This is part of  Paint Touches’ series breaking down each players’s 2011-2012 campaign and looking forward to next year. A big thank you to assistant coach Aki Collins, who provided exclusive, in-depth analysis on each player.

What he did well: A devastating knee injury cost Chris Otule all but seven games of his junior year, but he was stellar when healthy. His conditioning allowed him to keep pace with the up-tempo Marquette offense, and defensively Otule looked ready to plant himself as a top-5 post defender in the Big East.

Against undersized opponents, Otule showed off developed post moves, and his hands looked much improved from his past three years. He was instrumental in sealing opponent’s centers, which allowed guards to drive to the paint without much trouble, especially against Wisconsin. Otule did just about every “little thing” that didn’t show up in the box score but made Marquette’s offense go.

What he could have done better: It’s hard to figure out what Otule could have done better, but he did have just one assist in 140 minutes. He rarely attracted double teams and never looked comfortable passing to cutting guards, but a 6-foot-10 center’s assist total is hardly anything to worry about.

Aki’s analysis: “We were good with the small lineup because we had Jae, so now does Steve Taylor allow us to play that way? If he does, we’ll do like we did this year and play big, and there will be times where we play small. And I think we’ll play small less than we play big, but I think having that option is always good. You may need to speed some guys up,” Collins said. “But because Chris can really guard ball screens, because Davante has gotten better guarding ball screens, because Jamil gives you that length and because Davante can really score, you don’t want to take that off the court unless you have to. But there are gonna be times where we say, ‘Hey, let’s go small and get up and down, and make teams adjust to us.’ Some of those (opponents) may be in foul trouble.”

A torn ACL limited Chris Otule to eight games in 2011, but he showed plenty of promise when healthy. (Marquette Tribune Photo)

“I think (8 points per game) is doable. It just depends on where we decide to get our scoring from, and how that plays out. Is he going to be a 14-16 point per game scorer? Not right now. He has gotten more comfortable and he has a go-to shot that, when he gets the ball in the position he wants it, we feel really comfortable that he’ll make a basket or get fouled and get to the free throw line,” Collins said. “I think you’ll get your points from Chris, but I don’t think he’s ever going to be the main option.”

“But we do throw it down there to him because he can score, he can get guys in foul trouble,” Collins said. “So I think there’s some value to that as well. Don’t just look at it as he only had 4 points a game. How many fouls did he make the opposing center pick up? Did their starting center have to go out of the game, and then we throw in our back-up center (Gardner) with their back-up center who now our back-up’s going to annihilate him. And so it’s a team game, and I think having those two guys at that position helps us.”

Best performance: vs. Norfolk State (9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals)

Facing NBA prospect Kyle O’Quinn, Otule was a defensive force in a game that lacked much scoring. The Golden Eagles won a 59-57 nail biter in the championship game of the Paradise Jam, thanks in part to Otule’s defense. Otule’s three steals translated to five Marquette points, and his four blocks tied a career-high. His nine rebounds ended up being a season-high, and O’Quinn was limited to 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting. O’Quinn had three turnovers in the loss.

Worst performance: None.

Otule really did not have a poor performance in the seven games he played healthy. He averaged a block every 10.7 minutes and averaged 4.8 rebounds per game while playing 25 minutes or more just three times. He destroyed lower competition in limited minutes, came up huge against Norfolk State in the Virgin Islands and was key in Marquette’s win at Wisconsin.

2012 outlook: Otule’s ACL surgery was a success and he has shown an inspiring, positive mentality in his rehabilitation. He is expected to begin running in the coming weeks, and should be ready by the beginning of the year.

When he hits the court, Otule should retain his status as one of the best defenders in the conference. He said he has become a student of the game, soaking in everything he can from the bench, and conditioning has never been an issue for the 6-foot-10 center.

His size alone should put him in the starting lineup and will be a perfect complement to Davante Gardner. The two are essentially the definition of subbing “offense for defense,” and if Buzz Williams can find a healthy substitution pattern, Otule should thrive in his role.

Marquette will play bigger in 2012 than they did in 2011, meaning Otule’s presence will be even more important than it would have been last year.

As a senior, he will need to take on more of a leadership role. He is respected by all his teammates and his attitude toward each obstacle that has been thrown his way is inspiring, but he will need to become a vocal presence in 2012.