Marquette Players Leaving

[tornado]

Rumors abound, but the first one has already been granted his release...
Trevor Mbakwe, who planned to sit out 2008-2009 with a knee injury but then played the final 11 games, will transfer elsewhere, and rumor is Minnesota...

"Trevor Mbakwe Granted Release from Marquette"

http://minnesota.scout.com/2/744755.html

[BUBraves06]

I'm sure he won't be the last, and I wouldn't be surprised if some current players and incoming recruits make their way to Indiana.

[beanocookschins]

From what I had read and heard Mbakwe leaving had nothing to do with Crean. He has family/personal issues back home in Minnesota.

[mportsch]

This hurts Marquette more than it might initially appear. Assuming nobody goes pro, Marquette will have the following perimeter players next season:

PG Dominic James Sr.
SG Jerel McNeal Sr.
SF Wesley Matthews Sr.
PG David Cubillan Jr.
PG Maurice Acker Jr.

Add to that junior PF Lazar Hayward (6'6'', 225), and that's 6 very good players, but no big men.

With Mbakwe leaving, the only experienced big man is senior Dwight Burke (6'8'', 250), who's a decent rebounder and not much else. Their only other player with any size is sophomore Patrick Hazel (6'7'', 220), who's played a total of 48 minutes in his career.

Marquette has to hope that 2-star freshman Chris Otule (6'10'', 245) will be ready to provide some minutes right away, assuming he honors his commitment.

They'll be an interesting team to watch next year - with that core of 6 players, I still expect them to be very good (top 15), but Mbakwe would have definitely played major minutes on the inside.

[mportsch]

I'd expect Marquette to now look at the JUCO ranks for a big man to help right away, if they weren't looking already. Guys like Zvonko Buljan (Dodie Dunson's teammate, 6'9'' 220) and Steven Toyloy (6'10'' 255) would have to be on their radar.

[tornado]

From what I had read and heard Mbakwe leaving had nothing to do with Crean. He has family/personal issues back home in Minnesota.

new trouble for Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe...

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12933678