2014 recruiting class

[WarriorPride68]

The 2014 recruiting class was simply magnificent. Top 20 ranking @ Rivals, 247, & ESPN.


After Hill de-committed, 247 dropped Marquette into the mid 50's now.


With Shayok one foot out the door, and nobody overly confident with Pierce; this class looks to be going up in flames (as expected, since Buzz's guys).


Should we still expect a 4 man class? Or roll over a schollie for 2015? Thanks in advance guys!

[Tugg Speedman]

Never ever ever ever ever bank or roll over scholarships.  That is nothing but a self-imposed penalty.

Right now we have 9 returning players and Cohen, 10 players for sure.  Three open scholarships as we await Pierce and Shayok decisions (I'm assuming their a small possibility that Shayok can be re-recrited while Hll is moving on).  

We need mroe than 10 bodies.  Wojo needs to get more guys.

[CAGASS24]

Stinks we are losing some talent yes, but let's not forget that Wojo is out there right now recruiting too; significant opportunities abound

My concern is I have heard that despite their public commitments, Burton and DuWilson are still considering other options - as in, they've likely 'been informed', however that may have occurred, about opportunities at other universities - top flight ones

Anyone else heard similar?

[Tugg Speedman]

Stinks we are losing some talent yes, but let's not forget that Wojo is out there right now recruiting too; significant opportunities abound

My concern is I have heard that despite their public commitments, Burton and DuWilson are still considering other options - as in, they've likely 'been informed', however that may have occurred, about opportunities at other universities - top flight ones

Anyone else heard similar?

Everything says this is 100% wrong.

Duane Wilson personally intervened to get Cohen to stay with MU.  Burton was the first play to say he was staying BEFORE we found out who was the coach.

Either you are trolling or have been trolled.

[CAGASS24]

This was heard face to face - and the context was that they have been 'contacted' AFTER they made those statements - so what you are saying and what i am saying are not mutually exclusive -

in other words, like someone might say "if the lakers call, you answer the phone, even if you are the coach of _______, " I have heard that at least one program with serious serious clout has 'contacted' someone close to one of these guys to let them know theyre interested.

I don't want to believe it, just wondering if anyone else has heard hints of the same

[WarriorPride68]

Stinks we are losing some talent yes, but let's not forget that Wojo is out there right now recruiting too; significant opportunities abound

My concern is I have heard that despite their public commitments, Burton and DuWilson are still considering other options - as in, they've likely 'been informed', however that may have occurred, about opportunities at other universities - top flight ones

Anyone else heard similar?

Is Wojo out recruiting Myles Turner  ?

In all honesty though; this is mid April & almost all top seniors are off the board or extremely close to committing to a program. Wojo has work to do, being behind. JUCO/Transfers seem to be most plausible

[Tugg Speedman]

This was heard face to face - and the context was that they have been 'contacted' AFTER they made those statements - so what you are saying and what i am saying are not mutually exclusive -

in other words, like someone might say "if the lakers call, you answer the phone, even if you are the coach of _______, " I have heard that at least one program with serious serious clout has 'contacted' someone close to one of these guys to let them know theyre interested.

I don't want to believe it, just wondering if anyone else has heard hints of the same

Was that Wojo at Duke before he took the MU job?

[CAGASS24]

I would hope he wasn't pulling skeezy moves like that

[MUfan12]

I don't want to believe it, just wondering if anyone else has heard hints of the same

Heard the exact opposite, and I am far more confident in my information.

[CAGASS24]

I like those connotations!!!!!! Thanks for the scoop-

Heard the exact opposite, and I am far more confident in my information.

[BrewCity83]

Heard the exact opposite, and I am far more confident in my information.

Would the exact opposite be along the lines of "schools with clout are not interested" so they should stay put and be happy where they are?

[Tugg Speedman]

This was heard face to face - and the context was that they have been 'contacted' AFTER they made those statements - so what you are saying and what i am saying are not mutually exclusive -

in other words, like someone might say "if the lakers call, you answer the phone, even if you are the coach of _______, " I have heard that at least one program with serious serious clout has 'contacted' someone close to one of these guys to let them know theyre interested.

I don't want to believe it, just wondering if anyone else has heard hints of the same

Was this "fact-to-face" yesterday or earlier this morning?

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/255424321.html

Wojo says Taylor and Johnson are coming back
April 15, 2014
By Michael Hunt

On the day Steve Wojciechowski was hired, sophomore forward Steve Taylor Jr. and freshman guard Jajaun Johnson said they weren't sure if they would return to Marquette.

But Wojciechowski said Tuesday night before the team's annual banquet that all nine underclassmen were coming back.

[Tums Festival]

It would be nice if people on this board would stop posting that Duane Wilson is transferring out of the program, especially when basing their posts on sketchy information. I would go so far as to say he's the least likely of anyone currently on the team to leave.

[Ardmore Mug]

I personally spoke to Duane @ the banquet and he is RETURNING and looking forward to playing WOJO ball. He said the whole team is excited in the changes they have been told and have seen already... 

[CAGASS24]

It would be nice if people on this board would stop posting that Duane Wilson is transferring out of the program, especially when basing their posts on sketchy information. I would go so far as to say he's the least likely of anyone currently on the team to leave.

Hey I get it - the official word is that they have told the coach they are staying - but its not like ipso facto that precludes other possibilities - I agree that what I heard was a rumor, and my intentions were only to see if others had heard something similar - doesn't sound like it - which is great -

and as long as people aren't conveying their rumors as fact, which I clearly wasn't, not doing any harm - not trying to be malicious, but this is partly a "rumor" board, right?

[CAGASS24]

I personally spoke to Duane @ the banquet and he is RETURNING and looking forward to playing WOJO ball. He said the whole team is excited in the changes they have been told and have seen already... 

Now there you go!!!  Big year next year!!

[WarriorPride68]

Ahmed Hill
Sandy Cohen
Satchel Pierce
Malek Harris - verbal
Marial Shayok

------------------------------------

Sandy Cohen
Maybe/Hopefully - Satchel Pierce


Coming off a 17-15 season & losing Gardner, Jamil, Thomas, Otule. This makes me nervous. I was hoping for solid minutes out of some of those frosh.

Any in-state guys that are still uncommitted or flip worthy?

[MUfan12]

Would the exact opposite be along the lines of "schools with clout are not interested" so they should stay put and be happy where they are?

I don't know if they've been tampered with by other schools. All I know is that everyone is returning. The mood around the team is a lot more relaxed and positive since the coaching change.

[jsglow]

I remain 100% confident that all 9 of our existing players are returning.  Tuesday night, they were all relaxed and having fun together.  I think there is relief among the troops that all their brothers have agreed to stay.

Of course losing Hill is a big deal.  But the young man left via a classy exit.  We'll be just fine.  It'll be interesting to see how Wojo reacts.  Perhaps a Juco is a good idea.

[bilsu]

I am also dissappointed about Hill, but the fact is JJJ was a much higher rated recruit than Hill. Of course ratings do not necessarily indicate how a player is going to perform his first year, but I think JJJ will blossom under Wojo.

[muarmy81]

I remain 100% confident that all 9 of our existing players are returning.  Tuesday night, they were all relaxed and having fun together.  I think there is relief among the troops that all their brothers have agreed to stay.

Of course losing Hill is a big deal.  But the young man left via a classy exit.  We'll be just fine.  It'll be interesting to see how Wojo reacts.  Perhaps a Juco is a good idea.

I'm wondering when someone that Wojo had a "relationship" with is going to change his mind and follow him to MU?  May not happen since committing to Duke is different than committing to MU regardless of who is the lead recruiter.  Still, we've seen 2 guys decide to pursue other options due to their relationship with Buzz or the coaching staff.

[MU_Iceman]

I'm wondering when someone that Wojo had a "relationship" with is going to change his mind and follow him to MU?  May not happen since committing to Duke is different than committing to MU regardless of who is the lead recruiter.  Still, we've seen 2 guys decide to pursue other options due to their relationship with Buzz or the coaching staff.

Does anyone know if there are unsigned recruits that Wojo had been actively recruiting prior to coming to Marquette?  Duke consistently gets to cherry pick the prospects they want and I'd have to imagine that leaves a number of "bubble recruits" holding out hope for a Duke scholarship.  Perhaps there are a few players still out there who were never on our radar that were passed up by Duke and may give Wojo some consideration in Milwaukee...

Any unsigned players out there with Wojo [and/or his staff] relationships that we're not aware of??

[cnse70]

Does anyone know if there are unsigned recruits that Wojo had been actively recruiting prior to coming to Marquette?  Duke consistently gets to cherry pick the prospects they want and I'd have to imagine that leaves a number of "bubble recruits" holding out hope for a Duke scholarship.  Perhaps there are a few players still out there who were never on our radar that were passed up by Duke and may give Wojo some consideration in Milwaukee...

Any unsigned players out there with Wojo [and/or his staff] relationships that we're not aware of??

Good questions.  Are there any names out there?  We know who we are loosing, what about names we are recruiting?  Been pretty quiet.

[Tums Festival]

Good questions.  Are there any names out there?  We know who we are loosing, what about names we are recruiting?  Been pretty quiet.

I know at one time we were interested in D'Angelo Allen from Kimball, TX. Haven't his name mentioned lately but it appears he hasn't committed or signed with anyone yet. Wonder if Wojo has reached  out to him?

http://247sports.com/Player/DAngelo-Allen-24028

[nyg]

Good questions.  Are there any names out there?  We know who we are loosing, what about names we are recruiting?  Been pretty quiet.

Here you go:

http://marquette.scout.com/a.z?s=415&p=9&c=4&cfg=bb&yr=2014

[cnse70]

Here you go:

http://marquette.scout.com/a.z?s=415&p=9&c=4&cfg=bb&yr=2014

Yes I know, but that appears to be the pre-Burt leaving list.  I'm assuming (maybe incorrectly), Wojo has a different list.

[WarriorPride68]

UPDATE: #81 National Recruiting class now @ 247.

Top 20 with Buzz & then 5 commits


and yes.....Virgina Tech has already moved up to #58

[wadesworld]

UPDATE: #81 National Recruiting class now @ 247.

Top 20 with Buzz & then 5 commits


and yes.....Virgina Tech has already moved up to #58

FIRE WOJO!

[WarriorPride68]

FIRE WOJO!

Bruce Pearl already has a top 50 class @ Auburn.


I'm just saying

[Tugg Speedman]

UPDATE: #81 National Recruiting class now @ 247.

Top 20 with Buzz & then 5 commits


and yes.....Virgina Tech has already moved up to #58

Who has Brent signed at VT?

[WarriorPride68]

Who has Brent signed at VT?

Inherited two committed prospects that are staying on board. & has Pierce and Hill on campus this weekend. Could be moving up abit

[wadesworld]

Bruce Pearl already has a top 50 class @ Auburn.


I'm just saying

FIRE WOJO!

[WarriorPride68]

FIRE WOJO!

Wojo Slurper 

[VegasWarrior77]

We must give WOJO the standard five year time frame before we draw any conclusions!

[NotAnAlum]

I think its perfectly reasonable to have some concerns about Wojo's ability to recruit top level talent to MU.  The inability to hold on to Hill and the other 2, while I don't think its devastating, certainly doesn't do much to reduce that concern.  The prior 2 assistances hired, O'Neill and Crean, came in with BIG reps as recruiters.  As I recall O'Neill was voted the best recruiter in the nation and Crean was close.  Wojo did fine at Duke but Duke is such a unique program (only Kentucky, Kansas and NC could be considered in their strata) that its really hard to judge.  While keeping the 2 Wisconsin kids is a good start its hardly a miracle.  To even out the classes and get the program where it has some depth he is going to have to get some Jucos or transfers.  In those cases he is going to have to take some chances and beat out other programs considered equal to MU.  If we just bank the scholarships or bring in some bench players to fill out the roster that is going to raise my level of concern.     

[BM1090]

Hoping for Naimon Wright.

[ThatDude]

I think its perfectly reasonable to have some concerns about Wojo's ability to recruit top level talent to MU.  The inability to hold on to Hill and the other 2, while I don't think its devastating, certainly doesn't do much to reduce that concern.  The prior 2 assistances hired, O'Neill and Crean, came in with BIG reps as recruiters.  As I recall O'Neill was voted the best recruiter in the nation and Crean was close.  Wojo did fine at Duke but Duke is such a unique program (only Kentucky, Kansas and NC could be considered in their strata) that its really hard to judge.  While keeping the 2 Wisconsin kids is a good start its hardly a miracle.  To even out the classes and get the program where it has some depth he is going to have to get some Jucos or transfers.  In those cases he is going to have to take some chances and beat out other programs considered equal to MU.  If we just bank the scholarships or bring in some bench players to fill out the roster that is going to raise my level of concern.     

Maybe Wojo didnt want to keep Hill, Shayok and Pierce? Who knows!

Im interested in seeing what Wojo does with the remaining 3 scholarships.

[Sunbelt15]

We must give WOJO the standard five year time frame before we draw any conclusions!

It's sad that MU has an, often quoted, standard time frame.

[keefe]

Duke is such a unique program (only Kentucky, Kansas and NC could be considered in their strata)     

WHAT! No INDIANA?

[MU82]

I think its perfectly reasonable to have some concerns about Wojo's ability to recruit top level talent to MU. 

Jeesus H. Christopher! The guy hasn't even been on campus for a month!

I think it's perfectly reasonable to be perfectly reasonable and give the guy, oh I don't know, maybe a year or two before we get overly concerned about anything.

[VegasWarrior77]

It's sad that MU has an, often quoted, standard time frame.

I didn't feel the need to use teal.

[Sunbelt15]

I didn't feel the need to use teal.

You're joking, but I'm serious. It's like we can't find or keep a good coach, so that quote is constantly brought up.

[Tums Festival]

I think its perfectly reasonable to have some concerns about Wojo's ability to recruit top level talent to MU.  The inability to hold on to Hill and the other 2, while I don't think its devastating, certainly doesn't do much to reduce that concern.  The prior 2 assistances hired, O'Neill and Crean, came in with BIG reps as recruiters.  As I recall O'Neill was voted the best recruiter in the nation and Crean was close.  Wojo did fine at Duke but Duke is such a unique program (only Kentucky, Kansas and NC could be considered in their strata) that its really hard to judge.  While keeping the 2 Wisconsin kids is a good start its hardly a miracle.  To even out the classes and get the program where it has some depth he is going to have to get some Jucos or transfers.  In those cases he is going to have to take some chances and beat out other programs considered equal to MU.  If we just bank the scholarships or bring in some bench players to fill out the roster that is going to raise my level of concern.     

While the recruits we lost were all good prospects, you make it sound like Wojo let a once in a lifetime recruiting class slip through his fingers. He got the players that are big MU fans to stay while the players more tied to Brent are the ones that left. Let's wait until the end of the signing period before we throw our hands up and declare Wojo a failure...especially compared to the likes of Tom Crean.

[4everwarriors]

Not like Burt was the mother of big time college recruitin', hey? Door swings both ways. Steve's got it right. His primary responsibility is to the cats already in the program. Just let the man recruit his own type of playa and do the job he was hired to do.

[VegasWarrior77]

You're joking, but I'm serious. It's like we can't find or keep a good coach, so that quote is constantly brought up.

Seriously, unless we can find our "Mark Few" like Gonzaga has we will all have to face a harsh reality every now and then.  Let's hope we find him ASAP.

[WarriorPride68]

Shout out to Sandy Cohen! Thank goodness Wojo got him to stay.




V-Tech to #29 class now after nabbing Hill & Pierce  I honestly didn't think Buzz would land a top 30 class this soon if ever

[MU82]

V-Tech to #29 class now after nabbing Hill & Pierce  I honestly didn't think Buzz would land a top 30 class this soon if ever

Right now, we love hatin' on Buzz. But the man was a very good recruiter -- a string of solid players and outstanding JUCOs followed by 2 straight top-15 classes.

We like to think MU is vastly superior to Va Tech -- and we're right -- but this underscores that the majority of these kids are lured by the coach, not the school.

Now that he's not ours, we like to make fun of Buzz's schtick, but I've seen little evidence that it isn't successful.

[Tugg Speedman]

Shout out to Sandy Cohen! Thank goodness Wojo got him to stay.

V-Tech to #29 class now after nabbing Hill & Pierce  I honestly didn't think Buzz would land a top 30 class this soon if ever

Maybe we should have hired Cuonzo ... he would have brought Kingsley Okoroh*** with him.

This is the problem with hiring an assistant ... they don't have relationships (yet) with recruits.  Hire a retread like Cuonzo or Brent and guys follow them.  Coaches recruit, not schools.

That said, all we need is one serviceable big man and some luck that no one gets hurt or severely underperformed expectations and next year's team will be fine, certainty better than 17-15.

Yes I know serviceable big men are hard to find.  But a Sophomore year Otule is what I'm hoping for.  


***  Kingsley Okoroh committed to Tennessee the day Cuonzo left and an hour later he decommited and committed to Cal to go with Cuonzo.  He's 7'1' 245 center

[Tums Festival]

Maybe we should have hired Cuonzo ... he would have brought Kingsley Okoroh*** with him.

This is the problem with hiring an assistant ... they don't have relationships (yet) with recruits.  Hire a retread like Cuonzo or Brent and guys follow them.  Coaches recruit, not schools.

That said, all we need is one serviceable big man and some luck that no one gets hurt or severely underperformed expectations and next year's team will be fine, certainty better than 17-15.

Yes I know serviceable big men are hard to find.  But a Sophomore year Otule is what I'm hoping for.  


***  Kingsley Okoroh committed to Tennessee the day Cuonzo left and an hour later he decommited and committed to Cal to go with Cuonzo.  He's 7'1' 245 center

He's also one of Cuonzo's 2 star specials. Sounds you think we need to start recruiting guys based on their size rather than their talent level. You also don't seem to understand that hiring a coach is for the long term. If we had hired Cuonzo based on him being able to hold our recruiting class together that would show incredibly shortsighted thinking. Wojo will be fine, he's will known on the AAU circuit and more connected than you give him credit for. Let's see how he does with next year's class. If all goes well it has the potential to be as good or better than any of Brent's classes.

[Tugg Speedman]

He's also one of Cuonzo's 2 star specials. Sounds you think we need to start recruiting guys based on their size rather than their talent level. You also don't seem to understand that hiring a coach is for the long term. If we had hired Cuonzo based on him being able to hold our recruiting class together that would show incredibly shortsighted thinking. Wojo will be fine, he's will known on the AAU circuit and more connected than you give him credit for. Let's see how he does with next year's class. If all goes well it has the potential to be as good or better than any of Brent's classes.

You misunderstood me ... I was agreeing with you.  Coaches recruit, not schools.  No surprise that recruits follow the coach.

Yes Wojo was the better hire ... certainly better than Cuonzo.  Give him sometime and he will be able to recruit.

[Tugg Speedman]

Bruce Pearl already has a top 50 class @ Auburn.
I'm just saying

Hold on this ... might be going the other way ...


Kareem Canty will also visit USF
Updated: April 20, 2014, 12:51 PM ET
By Jeff Goodman | ESPN.com

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10811749/kareem-canty-backs-auburn-tigers-commit-visit-south-florida-bulls

Marshall transfer Kareem Canty, hours after giving coach Bruce Pearl and Auburn a verbal commitment, has decided to visit South Florida before making a decision.

"After speaking with my family, I need to really consider where I'm going to spend the next three years," Canty told ESPN.com on Sunday morning. "I do really like Auburn, but I need something to compare it to so I am going to visit South Florida before making my final decision."

Canty, who averaged 16.3 points and 5.5 assists per game last season, committed to Pearl and his staff while on a visit to the school on Saturday night.

Pearl, who spent the past two seasons as an ESPN analyst, took over for Tony Barbee after being fired following a successful six-year run at Tennessee in which he led the Vols to the NCAA tournament in all six seasons.

Auburn finished 14-16 last season under Barbee. The Tigers lost their leading scorer, Chris Denson.

South Florida recently hired Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua to replace Stan Heath.