Next to commit ...

[MarkMiller]

No idea at this point other than to say I believe Marquette will target a player with size for the remaining 2012 scholarship and a point guard for the remaining 2013 scholarship.

[BCHoopster]

Mark, in the recruiting world, Buzz it seems has many offers out for 2013, it is obvious that he needs a point
guard to replace Cadougan, 2012 it does not look promising.  So in saying that, MU has offers to every kid in
Wisconsin but none are point guards except Duane Wilson, who seems to want to get away from Mke.  So what
does Buzz say to a Fuller, Fischer, and others?

[MarkMiller]

The offers to many of the 2012 and 2013 prospects, including Luke Fischer, Nick Fuller, Duane Wilson, Toby Hegner and Matt Thomas, were made prior to the recent commitments from Steve Taylor and Deonte Burton.

Everything in recruiting is fluid, and when one recruit commits, some of the others are no longer priorities.

No idea what the commitments of Taylor and Burton mean specifically to Fischer, Fuller, Wilson, Hegner and Thomas, but I do know the clock began ticking as soon as they received their offers.

In other words, wait too long and the old saying, "He who hesitates is lost" rings true.   

[TedBaxter]

Buzz and his staff will be able to be very selective the next two years now with only 2 scholarships to fill and if they are focused on a point guard for 2013, who are some of the names Buzz may be looking at?  Jaylon Tate from Chicago Simeon comes immediately to my mind as one option.

[Marqus Howard]

Is there a chance that Buzz is confident with Derrick Wilson, Vander Blue, and TJ Taylor to run the point in 2013, and instead attempts to get a guy like Tyus Jones in 2014?

Seems like there is a lot of talent left in the 2013 class, so would he consider just taking the best player available from that class and addressing the point guard situation later?

[tower912]

Wilson and Taylor are both reported to be combo guards.    Wilson is destined to play point due to his size.    Projecting what either will be able to do in two years is tough, especially with Taylor playing JUCO this year.    Hopefully, he spends a successful year at the point and we have an answer in a few months. 

[brewcity77]

Agree with the big for 2012. Seems like Mbargorba, Auguste, and Nolan are the three we're the most interested in. For our next commit, I'd guess one of those three. Haven't heard much from the Mbargorba camp, but it sounds like Auguste wants to commit for the November signing period. Two of his four visits are set, and we'll have a good shot at getting him here for Madness. I think that's a real benefit to us. Sure, he'll get the football weekend at the other three, but then he gets to come here and see that basketball is king and that all of the passion he saw dedicated to the gridiron in West Virginia and Florida is what we have for hoops. I have to imagine that will leave a good impression just a couple weeks before signing day.

[TedBaxter]

While I agree what you are saying regarding Marquette's basketball focus, I've given up the last few years trying to read what recruits would be impressed with and what their deciding factors would be.  I've seen too many recruits come to Marquette for official visits thinking Marquette might be the best option for future playing time, style of play, etc. only to see them commit a few days later to another school and Iman Shumpert immediately comes to mind.

Another thing to keep in mind is that DTA is run by former MU player Robert Jackson and Robert is a fixture at MU games and is often around MU, so if Robert has any relationship with Phillip Nolan, that could favor MU.

[bilsu]

I have only missed one Marquette maddness. I do not see them as a great recruiting tool. Except for watching the new players scrimage and a dunk contest that sometimes should be labled missed dunk contest they are not that exciting.

[wadesworld]

While I agree what you are saying regarding Marquette's basketball focus, I've given up the last few years trying to read what recruits would be impressed with and what their deciding factors would be.  I've seen too many recruits come to Marquette for official visits thinking Marquette might be the best option for future playing time, style of play, etc. only to see them commit a few days later to another school and Iman Shumpert immediately comes to mind.

Another thing to keep in mind is that DTA is run by former MU player Robert Jackson and Robert is a fixture at MU games and is often around MU, so if Robert has any relationship with Phillip Nolan, that could favor MU.

Big time +1 on the first paragraph.  There are a million different reasons for a 17 year old kid to decide where he wants to go to college/play basketball, and each kid has different reasons, which nobody but him (and maybe his family/coach/friends) knows.

Interesting point on Robert Jackson running DTA.  Did not know that.  Have to think that helps our chances.

I have only missed one Marquette maddness. I do not see them as a great recruiting tool. Except for watching the new players scrimage and a dunk contest that sometimes should be labled missed dunk contest they are not that exciting.

I agree.  I thought it was a lot more exciting back when Marquette Madness was Midnight Madness.  Then again, I was like 7 back then, so it was cool just staying up that late.  If I was a 17 year old, I would be much, MUCH more impressed by going to an actual Marquette game than by going to Marquette Madness.  I would probably leave (and do now) Marquette Madness thinking "That's it?"  Then again, like I said above, that's just how I feel.  To each their own.

[brewcity77]

As far as Madness, I think what it is for a recruit is different than what it is for us. They are also likely spending the whole day with the team, there's a hype and excitement around campus, and I'm sure there are plenty of parties and other events they are able to participate in throughout the weekend. For us, it's a few hours in the evening and that's it.

Out of curiosity, Ted, which of the three would you favor? I know you follow recruiting very closely, and it seems there are pros and cons with each guy. Mind sharing the who and why if you could have your way?

[muhs03]

I went to UK's Midnight Madness a few years ago and said, "That's it?" when it was over. There were almost 20K people there I think and they spent a ton of money to produce it. If their Madness is the Gold Standard, I cant imagine what experiecning other schools' madness is like. And I dont care to even find out first-hand.

[TedBaxter]

Out of curiosity, Ted, which of the three would you favor? I know you follow recruiting very closely, and it seems there are pros and cons with each guy. Mind sharing the who and why if you could have your way?

I really like Zach Auguste.  I've seen the Merritt similarities that others have mentioned and I think he has a chance to be a good one.  He's been away from home for a year at prep school already and seems to be grounded. 

I would not be disappointed with the others as it's who wants to go to Marquette in the end and who the coaches think they have the best shot at, but Auguste is my favorite right now. 

[ken8406]

Apparently Marquette are after these players for the Class of 2013

Devin Williams - 6'8" PF - Cincinnati, OH - HS: Withrow AAU: Ohio Basketball Club

Williams has a lengthy school list, receiving offers from Cincinnati, Marquette, Southern Cal, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Xavier, Tennessee, West Virginia, San Diego State, NC State, and Penn State. Coach Chambers and the staff were in on Devin before the July evaluation period. They got him on campus for an unofficial at the end of June. He is ranked #66 by Rivals.

Kyle Washington - 6'9" PF - Champlin, MN - HS: Hotchkiss School AAU: Howard Pulley

Washington also has a great offer list - PSU, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Marquette, Iowa State, Central Michigan, Xavier, and Drake. He's receiving interest from Arizona and Wake Forest as well. Kyle just visited PSU for the Indiana State game. Bucky's 5th Quarter has a great profile page of Washington.

here is a link
http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2011/9/6/2400251/penn-state-basketball-recruiting-2011-september-update

[Marqus Howard]

Kyle Washington - 6'9" PF - Champlin, MN - HS: Hotchkiss School AAU: Howard Pulley

The fact that Washington goes to the Hotchkiss School (the same school Derrick Wilson attended) has to help our chances. Looks like a good prospect.

[brewcity77]

Kyle also just took an unofficial to Marquette. He was here about a week ago with his dad while they were driving from their home in Minnesota out east to Hotchkiss. Stopped at both Wisconsin and Marquette along the way.

[MUMac]

The fact that Washington goes to the Hotchkiss School (the same school Derrick Wilson attended) has to help our chances. Looks like a good prospect.

Not to pick on you or this quote, as that is not my intention.  Your comment, though, brings to the front a thought that I have had.  I see this frequently, but in reality, is it true?  How often do recruits from the same prep or high school go to the same college because of the other?  I don't know the answer, but it seems to me it is infrequent at best.  Blue due to Wes and Acker due to Rel come to mind.  I don't recall any others.

[Jay Bee]

The fact that Washington goes to the Hotchkiss School (the same school Derrick Wilson attended) has to help our chances. Looks like a good prospect.

But remember, he is just starting there this year (as well as reclassifying to 2013 from the 2012 class).  He's been at my high school for three years (same high school as Jordan Taylor of the Badgers and Devean George)... where he was in the same class as 2012 Isaiah Zierdan (Creighton commit & also a teammate of Kyle's in the Howard Pulley program [Tyus Jones as well]) and 2012 Sanjay Lumpkin (Northwestern).

[brewcity77]

It could help in the regard that the coach will likely have a good rapport with Buzz due to the recruitment of Wilson. But I agree that this often seems to be an overrated factor.

[bilsu]

It could help in the regard that the coach will likely have a good rapport with Buzz due to the recruitment of Wilson. But I agree that this often seems to be an overrated factor.

Sounds like he did not play with Wilson. It would be a bigger deal if they were friends.

[brewcity77]

Sounds like he did not play with Wilson. It would be a bigger deal if they were friends.

That's what I'm saying...it could help in that Buzz doesn't have to build a relationship with the coach. Oftentimes it seems coaches can steer players one way or another (*cough* Tyshawn Taylor *cough*)