UW done with 2008 recruiting class.... another big man

[TVDirector]

what, this gives 'em 8, 10, 24 guys over 6 10??????
hopefully our guys will grow like 10 inches each this year.

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San Antonio center fills Badgers' final recruiting spot
Seven-footer boasts brawn, brain
By MARK STEWART
mstewart@journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 18, 2007
Fans won't truly know how good a college basketball player Ian Markolf is until he gets on campus, but those who have watched the University of Wisconsin's latest recruit see loads of potential.

Markolf, a 7-foot center from San Antonio, committed to the Badgers Tuesday night, filling the fourth and final slot for the program's 2008 recruiting class.

He chose Wisconsin over Kentucky, Iowa State and Baylor. Those who have seen the 260-pounder from Winston Churchill High School play say he has both brawn and brain.

"He's not a stick. He's thick with big arms," said Lee Stubbs, the recently retired coach of rival MacArthur High. "He's kind of an intimidating player when you look at him. He looks like he's got an NBA body already.

"The other thing I like about him is he knows the game. He's not a lummox in there."

Markolf will be joined by three out-of-state players in UW's 2008 class: Jordan Taylor, a 6-1 point guard from Benilde-St. Margaret's near Minneapolis; Jared Berggren, a 6-10 center from Princeton, Minn.; and Robert Wilson, a 6-4 forward from Garfield Heights, Ohio.

Berggren is rated the 40th best prospect overall in the class by Rivals.com and is No. 95 by Scout.com. Rivals ranks Taylor 99th in the class.

Markolf is rated the 37th best center by Scout.

The four recruits are expected to make their commitments binding by signing national letters of intent during the early period (Nov. 14-21).

Markolf averaged 13 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game last season for Churchill, which finished 28-7.

In addition to his smarts, he impressed opponents with his hands, above-average footwork and the way he fights for position in the post.

"He's very competitive but more steady-heady, not a vocal, fiery type guy," said Judson High coach Mike Wacker, whose team plays in the same conference as Markolf's. "He's more Tim Duncan not Mark Madsen."

Wacker and Stubbs compared aspects of Markolf's game favorably to two NBA players when they played high school ball in San Antonio. According to Wacker, Markolf's game is "light years" ahead of where Indiana Pacer Jeff Foster was at the same age. Stubbs said Markolf is further along playing with his back to the basket than Shaquille O'Neal at the same age.

"You do see some centers coming out of high school who have played more of a 4 (power forward) than they have in the post and he is a kid who knows his way around the post," Stubbs said.

Markolf's commitment ended an almost yearlong courtship with UW that started with letters from assistant coach Howard Moore. Markolf came to Madison for an unofficial visit last month and left with a scholarship offer.

"The parents called me that day when they were there and they seemed to be real excited," said Churchill coach Randy Schuster, who is from Marshfield, Wis.

It wasn't until that trip that Markolf realized how much Madison reminds him of Austin, Texas.

"I lived there for about a half of year when I was younger and we've been there quite a bit," he said. "It's only an hour away. (Madison) kind of gave me the same feel as Austin."

 

[muhoosier260]

hopefully he's not more like mark madsen, else we might see him do some funky white boy dance moves.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

murf criticizes the MU 3 guard lineup.  I wonder what the old dog will think of the UW 1 PG, 4 big white dudes over 6'10" offense.   ???

[mviale]

Seems like the winning formula for UW.  Their coach is an old school baller from Philly, so he knows a thing or 2 about bball.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Seems like the winning formula for UW.  Their coach is an old school baller from Philly, so he knows a thing or 2 about bball.

If he could only figure out to double down on Estill and beat at least ONE team that is seeded higher then them....

[Mayor McCheese]

Seems like the winning formula for UW.  Their coach is an old school baller from Philly, so he knows a thing or 2 about bball.

If he could only figure out to double down on Estill and beat at least ONE team that is seeded higher then them....

my eyes... if he couldn't get to the final four with the team last year, he wont with any team in the next 5 years.

[muwarrior87]

If he could only figure out to double down on Estill and beat at least ONE team that is seeded higher then them....
[/quote]

my eyes... if he couldn't get to the final four with the team last year, he wont with any team in the next 5 years.
[/quote]

agreed

[NotAnAlum]

What is it about Bo Ryan constantly landing these big guys.  Its not like he has a track record of getting centers and power forwards into pro ball.  From what understand of the swing offense its not especially big man friendly.  His recent record of player development with Bigs much to brag about.  And yet these guys just line up to play for Wisconsin even to the point of signing on even when they know the team is stacked at center/power forward.  Meantime we have to beg anybody over 6'7" to even give us a look.  I don't know what he says to them but whatever it is we should give it a try

[spiral97]

What is it about Bo Ryan constantly landing these big guys.  Its not like he has a track record of getting centers and power forwards into pro ball.  From what understand of the swing offense its not especially big man friendly.  His recent record of player development with Bigs much to brag about.  And yet these guys just line up to play for Wisconsin even to the point of signing on even when they know the team is stacked at center/power forward.  Meantime we have to beg anybody over 6'7" to even give us a look.  I don't know what he says to them but whatever it is we should give it a try

A.) Have you seen the sized shoes that these guys need?
B.) Do you have any idea how expensive those not commonly available shoes are?
C.) Wouldn't going to a school where you can get them for free be a huge bonus for a big guy?

[Murffieus]

Ziggy----all I can say is that Bo has to be one hell of a recruiter to sell bigs on his swing offense----Butch and Steisma for example are a lot more effective posting up than on the perimeter----but yet in the swing they are on the perimeter 80% of the time. Bigs don't fit the swing-----tweeners like Tucker, Nankivil, and Jarsmuz are ideal though because of their flexibility!

[muwarrior87]

Ziggy----all I can say is that Bo has to be one hell of a recruiter to sell bigs on his swing offense----Butch and Steisma for example are a lot more effective posting up than on the perimeter----but yet in the swing they are on the perimeter 80% of the time. Bigs don't fit the swing-----tweeners like Tucker, Nankivil, and Jarsmuz are ideal though because of their flexibility!

Which again brings up the question of how he can land all these guys and waste their talent since they are not playing natural post positions?

[ecompt]

Their problem in the tournament is they come up against a team that has any quickness whatsover and they're toast.

[Murffieus]

 UNLV was a highly motivated team and they jammed the middle which is the swiing's  nightmare------however in my opinion Bo could have saved the day clearing out the side for tucker and let him manuver one on one from the wide post-----but Bo didn't adjust and consequently Tucker was forced into a perimeter role-----a role that
 neutralizes him!