Announcers botch Matthews College Again

[Lacrosse218]

I am watching the Blazers vs Jazz on ESPN and they started talking about Wes this season vs last, etc.  Of course, they mention that he went to University of Wisconsin, but come on how many times have we heard this now from numerous different announcers?  It is getting old and annoying, get your facts straight, Wes is from Madison, but went to Marquette.

[wojosdojo]

Was wondering how long this was going to take. I had to ask my buddy if I heard right. Can't wait until he finds out.

[TheFarEastMovement]

Same here. I thought I heard them mess up but then later I thought they might have said "a university in Wisconsin"

[Brewtown Andy]

I don't get how you could screw up something that's listed right on the official team roster sheet. 

ESPECIALLY when Wes went to the same school as one of the 5 best players in the league.

[BrewCity83]

I don't know who was announcing last night, but if it's an older guy it's likely that he confused Wesley with Wes Sr., who did go to UW-Madison back in the '70's.  I agree, though, it is annoying.  How hard can it be to get the college right for the starters of a game you're announcing?

[KenoshaWarrior]

This could hurt recruiting

[brewcity77]

This could hurt recruiting

Undoubtedly. My guess is we'll probably get 1-2 decommits from Mayo, Ferguson, and Wilson, while also killing any chances we had of landing any more top 150 players in our next 2-3 classes.

Give me a break. Any kid seriously considering Marquette and being seriously courted by Buzz knows where WesMat went to school. The occasional mis-mention by an idiot announcer won't hurt us at all when it comes to a thorough recruiting process. Yes, it's a bit disappointing and a little irritating, but that's all.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Should have put font in blue.

[martyconlonontherun]

Ehh, from an objective point of view its not that big of a deal. Matthews was arguably only the 3rd best player on a college team that didn't do anything much of note. Add in the fact that the announcer probably saw Madison, WI as the hometown and had memories of his dad who was more famous. Matthews is famous for being a undrafted FA that became good as a pro, not a standout college player.

[GGGG]

While I understand what you are saying, I think it would be better to say that Matthews was the "third most visible player" on his team.  A number of people felt that he was better than James and possibly McNeal.

[MUMac]

Should have put font in blue.

Nah, I think teal ruins the effect ...

[larrym]

The elder Matthews was good enough in college to be the #14 pick, but not good enough to lead his team of pretty highly touted teammates to any post-season games in his three seasons.  Those teams included James "Stretch" Gregory, his brother Claude and Arnold "Clyde" Gaines (Reese's dad).  They were all big gets from the Baltimore/DC area for Bill Cofield and Bo Ryan.  He's best known in Madison for his half court shot to beat Magic Johnson's MSU team, and for going "hardship" after his junior year.

During this NBA season, Wesley has bested any of his dad's NBA seasons.  If he has similar numbers next year as he did this year, he may pass his dad's nine season point totals by the end of his third year.  Then all he needs to do to catch his dad is find a team with some superstars to get some rings, and piss of Xavier McDaniel's son.

Ehh, from an objective point of view its not that big of a deal. Matthews was arguably only the 3rd best player on a college team that didn't do anything much of note. Add in the fact that the announcer probably saw Madison, WI as the hometown and had memories of his dad who was more famous. Matthews is famous for being a undrafted FA that became good as a pro, not a standout college player.

[martyconlonontherun]

The elder Matthews was good enough in college to be the #14 pick, but not good enough to lead his team of pretty highly touted teammates to any post-season games in his three seasons.  Those teams included James "Stretch" Gregory, his brother Claude and Arnold "Clyde" Gaines (Reese's dad).  They were all big gets from the Baltimore/DC area for Bill Cofield and Bo Ryan.  He's best known in Madison for his half court shot to beat Magic Johnson's MSU team, and for going "hardship" after his junior year.

During this NBA season, Wesley has bested any of his dad's NBA seasons.  If he has similar numbers next year as he did this year, he may pass his dad's nine season point totals by the end of his third year.  Then all he needs to do to catch his dad is find a team with some superstars to get some rings, and piss of Xavier McDaniel's son.

Doesn't that reinforce my point? Sr. was drafted 14 because he was a elite college player. 20 ppg as a junior PG at the time was really impressive. Jr (in respect to NBA prospects) was an underwhelming college player. Jr is famous for coming out of nowhere (not marquette) to become a NBA starter. A ton of NBA fans only recognized his name because of his dad, and probably have no clue he went to MU. It's like if Anthony Mason Jr. all of sudden made it to the NBA. People wouldn't remember his lack luster St Johns career, but instead think Tennessee St, knicks, sexual assualt, etc.

As much as we would like MU to get a lot of credit for Wes's development, the majority of the nation doesn't care where he went to college.

[larrym]

Yeah, in some ways it does.  I think the biggest factor is that the announcer was old.  I'm in my 40s and I'm even starting to get sons confused with their fathers. 

Wes was a hot shot East Coast recruit who was the best or second best player on a bad college team, and went on to a journeyman NBA career.  Wesley was not as heralded coming out of HS, although good enough to win state awards.  He was a good player on a good college team, in a high profile conference, that because of the era played was on national TV more by the New Years Day in his freshman year than his dad did in his college career.

You ask a 60 year old former basketball coach or player about Wes Matthews, and he'll probably at least think about the dad.  Ask the same question of someone under 30 and he'll only think of Wesley.  Unless he's seen the scorer's table picture when Wes was with the Lakers.

Doesn't that reinforce my point? Sr. was drafted 14 because he was a elite college player. 20 ppg as a junior PG at the time was really impressive. Jr (in respect to NBA prospects) was an underwhelming college player. Jr is famous for coming out of nowhere (not marquette) to become a NBA starter. A ton of NBA fans only recognized his name because of his dad, and probably have no clue he went to MU. It's like if Anthony Mason Jr. all of sudden made it to the NBA. People wouldn't remember his lack luster St Johns career, but instead think Tennessee St, knicks, sexual assualt, etc.

As much as we would like MU to get a lot of credit for Wes's development, the majority of the nation doesn't care where he went to college.