Stone Decision

[jesmu84]

Going to be made on November 12 per twitter.

https://twitter.com/EvanDaniels/status/491253477927313408

[tower912]

I expect him to go elsewhere, so if he actually goes to MU it will be a pleasant surprise.   

[dgies9156]

Got a little bit of time yet. I hope Diamond stays really close to home.

[NavinRJohnson]

Should probably post this on the Duke and Kentucky boards.

[GGGG]

Got a little bit of time yet. I hope Diamond stays really close to home.

Wisconsin Lutheran?

[Galway Eagle]

Who's still actually on his list?  Also last year wasn't everyone saying how they expected him to stay home and Henry to go elsewhere?

[Warrior Code]

Wisconsin Lutheran?

Cardinal Stritch.

[🏀]

MATC, that way he can get his core classes out of the way before moving onto an expensive university to complete his degree.

[The Lens]

Cardinal Stritch.

Diamond is from Wauwatosa.  He preps in the WFB.

[Tums Festival]

Just hoping he doesn't end up with Becky. If he goes to Duke or Kentucky that could be good for us with young Ellenson.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

On the positive side, it looks like those worried about the Malik Newman package-deal can relax:

https://twitter.com/iammaliknewman/status/491244675479904257

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

UNC, Kentucky, or MU

[Goose]

TAMU

I am with you and really do think we have legit chance of landing him.

[MUfan12]

I am with you and really do think we have legit chance of landing him.

Don't get your hopes up.

[keefe]

UNC, Kentucky, or MU

I wouldn't leave out UCLA

[BM1090]

Hope you guys are right. Everything I've seen indicates Wisconsin has a far better shot than we do

[Nukem2]

Hope you guys are right. Everything I've seen indicates Wisconsin has a far better shot than we do

I suspect Stone is going out of state.

[BM1090]

I suspect Stone is going out of state.

As do I, but assuming he stays in state I would not expect it to be MU

[Nukem2]

As do I, but assuming he stays in state I would not expect it to be MU

As do I.  Would love to have him.  Really does seem like he'll go out of state. 

[brandx]

College Basketball talk rates Stone & Ellenson #1 and #2 among big men - with Jeter, Zimmerman & Raab next.

Doesn't see any as one and done.

[4everwarriors]

I'd take Ellenson over Stone for MU's program

[GOO]

From what I've read, it sounds like Ellenson is now considered a PF or a 4/3 type.   If true, these two could play together.

I though Mark Miller had Stone going to UW?  

[MUfan12]

I'd take Ellenson over Stone for MU's program

I agree. It will be very interesting to see how Stone adjusts to high-major D1 basketball.

[bohoops]

My slightly inside source has predicted Wisconsin for two years now, and he still feels the same way. However, he would not bet much money on it.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with a 10 being Diamond himself and a 1 being most posters knowledge, I would rate my inside source as a 3 or 4.

I hope my source is wrong.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I wouldn't leave out UCLA

I haven't heard anything to indicate any serious interest in UCLA by Diamond, but after the Kevon Looney fakeout, I've learned to not count Alford out.

[Goose]

4 ever

You might be right but strictly for image of program Stone is bigger get. The first top ten recruit is the hardest to get but once you land one it changes things. Either one is a great get and both would be a game changer. Unlike some on here I have heard positive things on Stone's interest in MU since Wojo hot here. Really hope Wojo lands Henry relatively quickly and then playing with house money.

[wadesworld]

UNC, UCLA, Duke, or Kentucky

Edit: The sleeper is Georgetown. Had heard there was a lot of interest earlier in the process. Haven't heard a ton since, but would bet on the Hoyas over the Warriors.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I would much rather have Henry.

[wadesworld]

I would much rather have Henry.

I'd be thrilled with either.

[Dawson Rental]

I wouldn't leave out UCLA

Or UConn...

[Tums Festival]

Has he announced a final list of schools?

[NotBuzzWilliams]

Has he announced a final list of schools?

All of them.

[ThatDude]

I predict UCONN

[MuMark]

4 ever

You might be right but strictly for image of program Stone is bigger get. The first top ten recruit is the hardest to get but once you land one it changes things. Either one is a great get and both would be a game changer. Unlike some on here I have heard positive things on Stone's interest in MU since Wojo hot here. Really hope Wojo lands Henry relatively quickly and then playing with house money.

Some sites have Ellenson in the top 10...ESPN being 1

[ChicosBailBonds]

TAMU

I am with you and really do think we have legit chance of landing him.

I would be stunned.  I would actually be shocked just to make his final 5, but figure we might get that as merely a courtesy.    Do not see it happening at all.

[Freeport Warrior]

UNC, UCLA, Duke, or Kentucky

Edit: The sleeper is Georgetown. Had heard there was a lot of interest earlier in the process. Haven't heard a ton since, but would bet on the Hoyas over the Warriors.

Heard Georgetown last year as well. I'm with Chicos and think MU is a courtesy mention for all of the free tickets he's gotten over the years.

[Texas Western]

We have a chance to sign Diamond . To do so we have to make the case to Mr. Stone that we are the best alternative to position Diamond for the NBA. He has to feel that his son is the featured big man(which won't be the case at other big time schools )and that Wojo will be on a mission to make him the best player he can possibly be.  Mr. Stone is a savvy guy when it comes to basketball and will understand the pros and cons. He has been around long enough to know our Marquette tradition and history and what we can do for a player. If he has a comfort level with Coach Wojo it can happen.  My sense is the son is going to go with what the father recommends. As funny as it sounds, in some respects we are the sure thing for Diamond. The big name schools present risk in that he is not necessarily guaranteed the feature role and he is recruited over. Somehow that message has to come across. Right now I think we have about a 16 percent chance that we sign Diamond. I think it is about 2/3 that he goes out of state and 1/3 in state. If he goes instate it is a toss up between us and Wisconsin.

[We R Final Four]

DS won't be the featured big man at some other schools?

[GGGG]

And what "tradition and history" does Marquette and Wojo have in positioning big men for the NBA?

[Skatastrophy]

And what "tradition and history" does Marquette and Wojo have in positioning big men for the NBA?

Mike Kinsella.

[Silkk the Shaka]

And what "tradition and history" does Marquette and Wojo have in positioning big men for the NBA?

Wasn't Wojo the bigs coach at Duke?

[Skatastrophy]

Wasn't Wojo the bigs coach at Duke?

Yes, but Duke doesn't crank out top pro prospects like Kentucky.

[ThatDude]

We have a chance to sign Diamond . To do so we have to make the case to Mr. Stone that we are the best alternative to position Diamond for the NBA. He has to feel that his son is the featured big man(which won't be the case at other big time schools )and that Wojo will be on a mission to make him the best player he can possibly be.  Mr. Stone is a savvy guy when it comes to basketball and will understand the pros and cons. He has been around long enough to know our Marquette tradition and history and what we can do for a player. If he has a comfort level with Coach Wojo it can happen.  My sense is the son is going to go with what the father recommends. As funny as it sounds, in some respects we are the sure thing for Diamond. The big name schools present risk in that he is not necessarily guaranteed the feature role and he is recruited over. Somehow that message has to come across. Right now I think we have about a 16 percent chance that we sign Diamond. I think it is about 2/3 that he goes out of state and 1/3 in state. If he goes instate it is a toss up between us and Wisconsin.

+100

[Skatastrophy]

I believe that you guys are overemphasizing the dad's day in the process.

[wadesworld]

We have a chance to sign Diamond . To do so we have to make the case to Mr. Stone that we are the best alternative to position Diamond for the NBA. He has to feel that his son is the featured big man(which won't be the case at other big time schools )and that Wojo will be on a mission to make him the best player he can possibly be.  Mr. Stone is a savvy guy when it comes to basketball and will understand the pros and cons. He has been around long enough to know our Marquette tradition and history and what we can do for a player. If he has a comfort level with Coach Wojo it can happen.  My sense is the son is going to go with what the father recommends. As funny as it sounds, in some respects we are the sure thing for Diamond. The big name schools present risk in that he is not necessarily guaranteed the feature role and he is recruited over. Somehow that message has to come across. Right now I think we have about a 16 percent chance that we sign Diamond. I think it is about 2/3 that he goes out of state and 1/3 in state. If he goes instate it is a toss up between us and Wisconsin.

Well, if the decision is based on who will put him in the best position to reach the NBA there is really only 1 option, and that is Kentucky.  They have 6th men drafted in the 1st round.  Heck, the big "traditional" (I'd call him more of a "bruiser") from the Anthony Davis National Championship team who watched Davis play his position for 39 minutes/game has made an NBA career.

[NavinRJohnson]

Well, if the decision is based on who will put him in the best position to reach the NBA there is really only 1 option, and that is Kentucky.  They have 6th men drafted in the 1st round.  Heck, the big "traditional" (I'd call him more of a "bruiser") from the Anthony Davis National Championship team who watched Davis play his position for 39 minutes/game has made an NBA career.

Yep, if you are going to tell him to make his decision based on who provides the best chance of getting to the NBA, a first year head coach in his first job, with no track record is going to be at or near the bottom of the list, so I'm thinking that is probably not the best sales pitch for MU.

[Shark]

Don't get your hopes up.

Duane is like a big brother to Stone. He's also close friends with Stone's girlfriend.

[Galway Eagle]

Duane is like a big brother to Stone. He's also close friends with Stone's girlfriend.

I hear that lifestyle is very freeing to couples that feel stuck.

[Tums Festival]

Duane is like a big brother to Stone. He's also close friends with Stone's girlfriend.

I don't know what to make of the relationship between Duane and Stone. There have been so many contradictory opinions presented here, who really knows for sure.

I think Wojo has placed his eggs in the Ellenson basket over Stone.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Henry can out play Stone one on one.

[rocket surgeon]

isn't unc looking at some academic issues?  just wondering...that's got to affect some decisions.  not that these guys are going for the chemistry or anything, but this has got to be on the radar of many would be recruits

[wadesworld]

isn't unc looking at some academic issues?  just wondering...that's got to affect some decisions.  not that these guys are going for the chemistry or anything, but this has got to be on the radar of many would be recruits

Ehh.  Even if the NCAA finds something, they aren't giving the Tar Heels more than a slap on the wrist.

[brandx]

Henry can out play Stone one on one.

Based upon?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Based upon?

Mostly fans beginning to comfort themselves by saying Stone isn't that good anyway.

[NersEllenson]

I believe that you guys are overemphasizing the dad's day in the process.

From everything I've heard, Mr. Stone is very involved and has a very good perspective on the landscape of college basketball/coaches...and he and Diamond have a very close relationship.  I've heard Mr. Stone wasn't a very big Buzz fan - saw through some of the act - yet Diamond liked Buzz.

I think every father who has a close relationship with his son, has a good degree of influence in his son's decision-making process.  Now, it doesn't mean that son agrees with Dad and makes the decision Dad would have made - but to think Mr. Stone doesn't have a decent "say" or influence in Diamond's decision in my view is naive.

[GGGG]

Mostly fans beginning to comfort themselves by saying Stone isn't that good anyway.

247 has Ellenson ranked ahead of Stone.

BUT they play two different positions... (shout out to JayBee)

AND whomever wins in a one-on-one game is irrelevant...

AND Marquette isn't getting Stone.  I'd love him.  But we aren't getting him.

[tower912]

Ellenson is a 6'9+ switchable.   Stone is a 6'10+ pure post.   They both have their important uses.   I would be happy if either came to MU.   

[Freeport Warrior]

Mostly fans beginning to comfort themselves by saying Stone isn't that good anyway.

Based upon?

They played against each other last year and Ellingson was able to absolutely hold his own on the block against Stone -- I would say it was a draw. Ellingson blew by Stone when he attempted to guard him at distance and got any shot he wanted. I would say any neutral observer would say that Ellingson won the battle, but both will be great at the next level at their respective positions. There is a lot of ego that comes with these two recruits, especially their family influence. Will they arrive on campus as privileged prima donnas, or will they arrive as soldiers ready to do whatever it takes? That is the question that intrigues me. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.