[Matt Velazquez] Marquette will have one visitor this weekend and it's L.G. Gill

[avid1010]

I'm simply connecting the dots. Wojo absolutely had to have received a "soft" commitment from one of these two prior to making the decision on Wally. There is no way you take that PR hit, and ruin a relationship with a lottery pick and his family if you don't already have a commitment in place.

hope that's not the case...would be much better if wojo had clear expectations for players, wally couldn't live up to them/commit to them, and wojo stuck to his guns no matter what the PR outcomes would be. 

[Herman Cain]

There is nothing to suggest that Wojo has a "soft verbal" from anybody. Wally was cut because that's when he gave Wojo his decision. You make the cut as early as possible to give Wally plenty of time to figure out his next move.

I agree that Wojo has no soft verbals from anyone. 

I think one thing needs to be made clear, Wally was not cut. His basketball scholarship was not renewed. NCAA rules prohibit him to receive a track scholarship and play basketball. So it was either no scholarship and walk on in both sports or no basketball and full ride track scholarship. The family was not willing to pay tuition like other MU students so the story is being promoted as he is being cut from their perspective.

Compare this to the situation at Xavier last year, where Matt Stainbrook in effect gave his scholarship to his brother and then Stainbrook paid tuition to stay on the team and worked part time driving a cab. 

The more I think about it, Buzz may have actually not renewed Juan and Jake's scholarship thinking he had some prospects to take their place. In the end he didn't and the story was presented that they (Juan and Jake ) reconsidered and decided to stay.

At the end of the day, anyone who says College athletes are not getting paid has never had to pay a private school tuition bill.

[jsglow]

A "normal" kid can "commit" at any point. Their spot just might get passed along to someone else after May 1.

Of course wade, but at MU (and other schools on the universally accepted deadline date) admission is no longer guaranteed if the formal admission offer from roughly 1/15 is not accepted by 5/1.  Last year, MU came up a bit short on the count and would have gladly accepted some additional students.  Also, 'wait list' kids are approached prior to 5/1 date depending on commitments as they roll in in March/April.  There's also the concept of 'melt', both between now and Frosh move-in and even in the first few weeks of school.  MU usually announces its final enrollment number in October.  I kind of thought no one needed the 'long answer'.  But since you felt the need to clarify......

[amen426]

There is nothing to suggest that Wojo has a "soft verbal" from anybody. Wally was cut because that's when he gave Wojo his decision. You make the cut as early as possible to give Wally plenty of time to figure out his next move.

Apparently you think Wojo is one bold motherunnatural carnal knowledgeer.

In your scenario, he is ballsy enough to risk going into next season without Wally, Kalif or LG? Because that’s essentially what you’re saying by the timing of this cut.

Wojo was going to take a PR hit and burn the family bridge either way - whether he made the cut last weekend, or after the visits. And Wally's future options would have been the same in both scenario's as well. So your point about giving Wally plenty of time to figure out his next move, makes no sense. Especially, considering that if Young/Gill both turn us down, he wouldn't need that "next option". He would have been a key role player on this team.

I agree you don't string a kid along. But 1 week, in this scenario, would not change Wally's options.

[GGGG]

Apparently you think Wojo is one bold motherunnatural carnal knowledgeer.

In your scenario, he is ballsy enough to risk going into next season without Wally, Kalif or LG? Because that’s essentially what you’re saying by the timing of this cut.

Perhaps its just simply that Wojo wanted a full summer commitment and Wally wasn't able to give that. 

[jsglow]

While I have no sense that Wojo has some kind of 'verbal', I think he feels strongly that that he'll successfully fill that 13th slot with a quality big.  Let's not necessarily assume that Young is out of the picture.  I think we had just wrongly convinced ourselves that his prior cancellations meant MU was a short list of one.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Apparently you think Wojo is one bold motherunnatural carnal knowledgeer.

In your scenario, he is ballsy enough to risk going into next season without Wally, Kalif or LG? Because that’s essentially what you’re saying by the timing of this cut.

Wojo was going to take a PR hit and burn the family bridge either way - whether he made the cut last weekend, or after the visits. And Wally's future options would have been the same in both scenario's as well. So your point about giving Wally plenty of time to figure out his next move, makes no sense. Especially, considering that if Young/Gill both turn us down, he wouldn't need that "next option". He would have been a key role player on this team.

I agree you don't string a kid along. But 1 week, in this scenario, would not change Wally's options.

If you're worried about the PR hit, then how would it look if MU was overcommitted and then Wally was cut?

[wadesworld]

Apparently you think Wojo is one bold motherunnatural carnal knowledgeer.

In your scenario, he is ballsy enough to risk going into next season without Wally, Kalif or LG? Because that’s essentially what you’re saying by the timing of this cut.

Wojo was going to take a PR hit and burn the family bridge either way - whether he made the cut last weekend, or after the visits. And Wally's future options would have been the same in both scenario's as well. So your point about giving Wally plenty of time to figure out his next move, makes no sense. Especially, considering that if Young/Gill both turn us down, he wouldn't need that "next option". He would have been a key role player on this team.

I agree you don't string a kid along. But 1 week, in this scenario, would not change Wally's options.

If it helps you sleep at night, then sure, in your mind LG is already committed to Marquette University.  Don't mind his saying he'll visit Maryland the first weekend in May get in the way of you knowing for certain that Gill, you, and Wojo are the only 3 in the world to know for certain that Gill is on his way to Milwaukee for his senior season.

Of course wade, but at MU (and other schools on the universally accepted deadline date) admission is no longer guaranteed if the formal admission offer from roughly 1/15 is not accepted by 5/1.  Last year, MU came up a bit short on the count and would have gladly accepted some additional students.  Also, 'wait list' kids are approached prior to 5/1 date depending on commitments as they roll in in March/April.  There's also the concept of 'melt', both between now and Frosh move-in and even in the first few weeks of school.  MU usually announces its final enrollment number in October.  I kind of thought no one needed the 'long answer'.  But since you felt the need to clarify......

I just mean it's pretty much the same deal for "normal" students.  You get your offers, you're probably given some kind of timeline for when a coach hopes to hear about a decision (or you're given a timeline for when you might hear from a coach as to when your "offer" is with no conditions), and then if you're just dragging the process out then the "offer" may still stand...but it also may be passed along to someone else.  "Normal" students can send in their deposit and all their paperwork, go through the whole process...and then in July decide they're going to go to the other school they were thinking about/waitlisted on, etc.  Kids change their minds on schools, schools change their minds on kids, coaches change their mind on kids, kids change their minds on programs, etc.

[Herman Cain]

Apparently you think Wojo is one bold motherunnatural carnal knowledgeer.

In your scenario, he is ballsy enough to risk going into next season without Wally, Kalif or LG? Because that’s essentially what you’re saying by the timing of this cut.

Wojo was going to take a PR hit and burn the family bridge either way - whether he made the cut last weekend, or after the visits. And Wally's future options would have been the same in both scenario's as well. So your point about giving Wally plenty of time to figure out his next move, makes no sense. Especially, considering that if Young/Gill both turn us down, he wouldn't need that "next option". He would have been a key role player on this team.

I agree you don't string a kid along. But 1 week, in this scenario, would not change Wally's options.

It is possible the family may actually need the goodwill of MU and Wojo in the future. You never know what will happen.
 
Consider the fate of this former MU Star....

 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19900112&id=52gaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_ysEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6264,3110075&hl=en

Some interesting notes in the comments from him on this one:
http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4985

[Jay Bee]

Damion Lee was "likely" to visit Marquette last summer. Until they set a date, nothing is official (and sometimes, not even then).

I'm simply connecting the dots. Wojo absolutely had to have received a "soft" commitment from one of these two prior to making the decision on Wally. There is no way you take that PR hit, and ruin a relationship with a lottery pick and his family if you don't already have a commitment in place.

Your dot-connection is flawed.

[GGGG]

It is possible the family may actually need the goodwill of MU and Wojo in the future. You never know what will happen.
 
Consider the fate of this former MU Star....

 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19900112&id=52gaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_ysEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6264,3110075&hl=en

Some interesting notes in the comments from him on this one:
http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4985

So you're theory is that the Ellensons can't cut the cord with Marquette because one day Henry might be penniless and get arrested?

[jsglow]

I just mean it's pretty much the same deal for "normal" students.  You get your offers, you're probably given some kind of timeline for when a coach hopes to hear about a decision (or you're given a timeline for when you might hear from a coach as to when your "offer" is with no conditions), and then if you're just dragging the process out then the "offer" may still stand...but it also may be passed along to someone else.  "Normal" students can send in their deposit and all their paperwork, go through the whole process...and then in July decide they're going to go to the other school they were thinking about/waitlisted on, etc.  Kids change their minds on schools, schools change their minds on kids, coaches change their mind on kids, kids change their minds on programs, etc.

Happens all the time wade.  The analytics on this rivals MLB!   Remember, I've served several years on the Admissions Advisory Board.  (Not saying I'm an expert.)  BTW, MU adjusted its application procurement tactics this year.  Let's hope it works.  Last year's class was small.  I haven't heard anything this year yet other than 'cautiously optimistic'.

[Herman Cain]

Happens all the time wade.  The analytics on this rivals MLB!   Remember, I've served several years on the Admissions Advisory Board.  (Not saying I'm an expert.)  BTW, MU adjusted its application procurement tactics this year.  Let's hope it works.  Last year's class was small.  I haven't heard anything this year yet other than 'cautiously optimistic'.

Tell Your friends in admissions they need to game the system so our US News rating goes up. Northeastern moved up over a 100 points playing the game.

[4everwarriors]

Northeastern only gets da easy rankin's, hey?

[Herman Cain]

So you're theory is that the Ellensons can't cut the cord with Marquette because one day Henry might be penniless and get arrested?

Life doesn't always work out the way people think it will for these stars.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/05/04/Judge-sentences-Art-Schlichter-to-10-years-7-months-in-prison.html

[bilsu]

I have no idea whether Wojo has a soft commitment. However, a lot of coaches do not consider an offer final until the player actually visits. How a recruit fits in or acts on a visit could result in the offer being withdrawn. LG saying he may visit Maryland may be a reflection of him understanding he still has to show he fits in here. Maybe Young is cancelling visits, because he is plan B for the schools he was going to visit. Assuming Wojo is feeling presure to win immediately he is going to take LG over Young.

[Jay Bee]

I have no idea whether Wojo has a soft commitment. However, a lot of coaches do not consider an offer final until the player actually visits. How a recruit fits in or acts on a visit could result in the offer being withdrawn. LG saying he may visit Maryland may be a reflection of him understanding he still has to show he fits in here. Maybe Young is cancelling visits, because he is plan B for the schools he was going to visit. Assuming Wojo is feeling presure to win immediately he is going to take LG over Young.

I don't consider chit final til a player is on the court at the scorer's table, checking into a game. If you feel otherwise, you're eff'd.

[Dawson Rental]

Life doesn't always work out the way people think it will for these stars.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/05/04/Judge-sentences-Art-Schlichter-to-10-years-7-months-in-prison.html

So, if Henry Ellenson (or even Wally) gets to that point, what would you expect Wojo/MU to do to intervene?

[MU86NC]

I agree that Wojo has no soft verbals from anyone. 

I think one thing needs to be made clear, Wally was not cut. His basketball scholarship was not renewed. NCAA rules prohibit him to receive a track scholarship and play basketball. So it was either no scholarship and walk on in both sports or no basketball and full ride track scholarship. The family was not willing to pay tuition like other MU students so the story is being promoted as he is being cut from their perspective.

Compare this to the situation at Xavier last year, where Matt Stainbrook in effect gave his scholarship to his brother and then Stainbrook paid tuition to stay on the team and worked part time driving a cab. 

The more I think about it, Buzz may have actually not renewed Juan and Jake's scholarship thinking he had some prospects to take their place. In the end he didn't and the story was presented that they (Juan and Jake ) reconsidered and decided to stay.
Amen!

At the end of the day, anyone who says College athletes are not getting paid has never had to pay a private school tuition bill.

[vacinator]

Kudos to Matt - I really appreciate the MU coverage.  You might just get me to subscribe again to the JS.

If MU does land Gill the "big" cupboard will be extremely bare in 2017.  Hopefully Wojo has some talent in the pipeline.

[MU82]

Assuming Wojo is feeling presure to win immediately he is going to take LG over Young.

I know you're rooting for Wojo to lose because you've already decided you hate him for whatever reason, but the only pressure Wojo feels is the pressure he puts on himself.

Coaches, especially those with very long-term contracts, don't feel pressure from mopes on the interwebs.

[keefe]

There is nothing to suggest that Wojo has a "soft verbal" from anybody. Wally was cut because that's when he gave Wojo his decision. You make the cut as early as possible to give Wally plenty of time to figure out his next move.

I agree that Wojo doesn't have anything solid but a week or a month don't make much difference in such decisions.

I agree with Sultan - Wojo wanted a a commitment to hoops and Wally passed. Decision made.

Remember that Newbill and Roseboro landed somewhere within days after getting Buzz Sawed at the end of the summer.

[brewcity77]

Kudos to Matt - I really appreciate the MU coverage.  You might just get me to subscribe again to the JS.

If MU does land Gill the "big" cupboard will be extremely bare in 2017.  Hopefully Wojo has some talent in the pipeline.

Looking at the offers and interest for 2017, I fully expect at least 2-3 freshmen bigs to be added in that class. Definitely a heavy focus on the front court for next year's class.

[We R Final Four]

Looking at the offers and interest for 2017, I fully expect at least 2-3 freshmen bigs to be added in that class. Definitely a heavy focus on the front court for next year's class.

Ideally, would have liked to see: Seniors Luke and LG, Soph Heldt, and Frosh Young. Then we could have some balance moving forward.

Even if what you suspect,  that's 2-3 Frosh bigs and a Junior MH.
The one and done grad transfer game is a tricky one.
Almost have to get another grad transfer next year.

[fjm]

I think he's offered some pretty good Bigs for 2017 as mentioned here.
Maybe it'll be ok that we get a one year guy, and then inform one of the 2017 bugs that are 4 star top 100 that they'll be starting right away.

Kalif young if I remember correctly is #340 or so? And if he is a commitmentphobe then maybe we are getting lucky by having a hole for the 3-4 bigs we offered that seem pretty solid for next year?