Recruits for next year

[SqueallyDRyan]

I know that there are a lot of threads about next year's incoming freshman. But now that the season is over I thought that we could use a forum to talk about each of them and how they should/could contribute to next year's team.  During the season I do not pay too much attention to the recruits and I think that the time is now.

[muwarrior87]

Christopherson is playing on WMLW Saturday night at 6 i think for the h.s. championship. I've got a reminder set on my tv already and will be watching that on one tv and tournament games on the other.

[77ncaachamps]

Here's a snippet from one of the Yahoo! links about Mbakwe:

Trevor Mbakwe, a 6-7 senior planning to play at Marquette next year, scored a game-high 32 points and added 18 rebounds and five blocks for St. Bernard's (29-0).

"The beauty about Trevor is that if anyone gets by us, he's back there to intimidate them with his shot-blocking ability," Bulldogs coach Ed Cassidy said. "He also cleans up on the boards."

[LastWarrior]

Signing Day

http://www.jsonline.com/archive/index.aspx?id=AH216

Marquette put a heavy emphasis on the frontcourt with its recruiting class for the 2007-'08 season, getting commitments from 6-foot-8 Trevor Mbakwe of St. Bernard's in St. Paul, Minn., 6-7 Patrick Hazel of Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., and 6-7 Damian Saunders of Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass.

Mbakwe averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game last season at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minn., but transferred to St. Bernard's last summer. Hazel averaged eight points and eight rebounds per game last season at Blair Academy while playing alongside highly touted Boston College recruit Shamari Spears.

Saunders, who committed to MU just this week, averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game at Crosby High School in Waterbury, Conn., but has since transferred to Notre Dame Prep.

La Crosse Aquinas guard Scott Christopherson became the first member of MU's four-player class to commit to the Golden Eagles in March 2005, when he played at Melrose-Mindoro. In his first year at Aquinas, Christopherson averaged 20.6 points per game.

All four players are expected to have their letters to MU by the end of the week.

Saunders:

Forward commits to join MU next season
By TODD ROSIAK
trosiak@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 7, 2006

Technically speaking, the Marquette Golden Eagles have already filled their 2007-'08 recruiting class.

Still, that didn't stop Damian Saunders, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward from Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., from committing to play for MU beginning next season.

The Golden Eagles already have their available allotment of three scholarships earmarked for guard Scott Christopherson and forwards Trevor Mbakwe and Patrick Hazel.

But there are a few scenarios in which a scholarship could open up after the season, including the possibility sophomore guard Dominic James will leave early for the National Basketball Association.

Saunders, who said Tuesday that he wasn't concerned about the scholarship situation, took an official visit to MU over the Halloween weekend. He was scheduled to visit Big East rival Providence, but canceled before giving Marquette the nod.

"I just liked the vibe," Saunders said of MU. "I liked how the coaches give extra help to the players, and how the players treated me when I got there. It felt like another home."

Saunders averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game last season as a senior at Crosby High School in Waterbury, Conn.

He matriculated to Notre Dame Prep - where current MU forward Lazar Hayward played last season - to help improve his academic standing and will play there this season.

In Saunders, the Golden Eagles are getting a versatile player who one source said "is a 3 but plays like a 4."

"I can play down low but I can also play on the perimeter. I'm very athletic," Saunders said when asked how he saw himself fitting in with fellow newcomers Mbakwe and Hazel. "They said I'll probably be more of a 3. I've just got to work more on my shot and my ball-handling skills."

A distant cousin of former Connecticut Huskies forward Edmund Saunders, Damian Saunders was also being recruited by Tennessee and New Mexico State.

MU could have Saunders' letter of intent on hand, along with those of Christopherson, Mbakwe and Hazel, as early as today, which is the beginning of the fall signing period.

Until those letters are received, coach Tom Crean is unable to comment on any of MU's recruits.

Hazel:

Forward chooses Marquette
Hazel provides oral commitment
By TODD ROSIAK
trosiak@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 1, 2006

Patrick Hazel knew he was a Big East-caliber basketball player and on Sunday morning, that belief in himself paid off.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward from Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., gave an oral commitment to play for the Marquette Golden Eagles next season, less than two weeks after coach Tom Crean first watched him work out in person.

Crean was looking for another big man to complement Trevor Mbakwe, a 6-7 forward from Minnesota who committed to MU in early August. Crean and assistant Jason Rabedeaux became smitten with the all-around package that Hazel presented in a practice session at Blair with teammate Alexis Wangmene, a Texas Longhorns recruit.

"He came up and he really liked the way I played," Hazel said. "He said he loved me since the first time he saw me play and he wanted me to come up. He offered me a full ride that day."

The courtship moved quickly after that. Hazel arrived at MU for an official visit on Thursday, returned home Saturday and left Crean a message on Sunday morning with the news.

"I was thinking about committing while I was up there, but I just wanted to take a day, take a deep breath and think about it first," Hazel said "Sleep on it. I called Coach Crean and left him a message. I'm really excited. I'm ready to go."

Before committing, Hazel had taken only one other official visit, to Rhode Island last weekend. Over the summer Hazel unofficially visited Lehigh, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, St. Joseph's and Hofstra.

Hazel said despite those visits, he was holding out hope that a Big East school would become interested.

"I wanted to see what everybody else had to offer, but I was still going to wait on a Big East school because that's what I was looking forward to," he said. "Patience pays. I just had to be patient with it. That's what I did and it finally worked out."

Blair coach Joe Mantegna said it would have only been a matter of time before other Big East schools would have gotten involved with Hazel.

"He would have had multiple Big East and other power conferences had he waited," Mantegna said. "But the thing we liked so much about Marquette for Pat is that they were in early and loved him for him, not after 10 guys had fallen through the cracks in the early period. Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John's, they were all sniffing around. Georgia called, some Pac 10s had called.

"Patrick is not the first guy you're going to go after if you're recruiting off the scouting services."

Mantegna estimated that Hazel averaged eight points and eight rebounds a game last season at Blair, where he started and played alongside highly touted Boston College recruit Shamari Spears.

"He's sort of like our undersized Ben Wallace," he said. "He plays harder than any kid I've ever coached here except for maybe Royal Ivey, who played at Texas. Pat's a great defender, rebounds outside of his plane, runs the court as well as any 6-7, 6-8 kid you want to see, and has worked tremendously hard to round out his offensive game, which is improving by leaps and bounds.

"But it's still probably the weakest piece right now."

A native of Queens, N.Y., Hazel is also a standout student who credited his parents with helping him progress to this point. His father is a corrections officer at Rikers Island and his mother an accountant at a bank.

"He's a tough cookie. He stays on me, but my mom does, too," Hazel said. "They're both really there for me all the time, whenever I need help."

Added Mantegna: "He's going to help Marquette win because he does all the garbage that most kids don't want to do that makes you win. He's unselfish to a T, he's a team guy and he's a real uniting personality in the locker room and school. He's just a tremendous kid."

On his visit to Milwaukee, Hazel was able to spend a little time with one of Blair's most famous alums: Charlie Villanueva of the Bucks. Villanueva starred at Blair before heading to Connecticut, and eventually the NBA.

"I got to talk to him when I was up there in Milwaukee this weekend," Hazel said. "I got to see the Bucks work out and all that stuff. That's a motivation, too."

Hazel joins Mbakwe and La Crosse Aquinas guard Scott Christopherson as the third member of MU's 2007-'08 recruiting class.

Mbakwe:

Forward commits to MU
Mbakwe considered a top-flight prospect
By TODD ROSIAK
trosiak@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 9, 2006

Set in the backcourt for the foreseeable future, the Marquette Golden Eagles on Wednesday night took a huge step toward fortifying their frontcourt when they received an oral commitment from highly rated power forward prospect Trevor Mbakwe.

Mbakwe, 6-foot-8 and 245 pounds, averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game as a junior at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minn., and had been considered one of the nation's top available big men following a strong summer on the AAU circuit.

NCAA champion Florida, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Michigan, Minnesota and Oklahoma all had offered scholarships and had been pressing Mbakwe hard for a commitment over the past few weeks.

"They all tried to make a good push at the end, but it was Marquette," said Mbakwe, who visited MU unofficially the first time as a sophomore. "They've been there the longest and I had the best relationship with them. They're in the Big East, which is the best conference, I believe.

"I just felt it was the best situation for me."

There should be plenty of playing time available for Mbakwe once he arrives on campus.

The Golden Eagles' two lone seniors - Jamil Lott and Mike Kinsella - will both have graduated, leaving just two returnees down low in Ousmane Barro and Dwight Burke.

MU also hopes to gain one more big-man commitment from the trio of Keaton Nankivil (Madison Memorial), Jerai Grant (Dematha Catholic, Hyattsville, Md.) and George Goode (Raytown South, Raytown, Mo) .

"They're going to be losing a couple big men," said Mbakwe. "They'll have a need for one and I'll be able to come in as a freshman and have a good role on the team. That had a big part in my decision."

Mbakwe also mentioned coach Tom Crean and his track record of sending players to the National Basketball Association in three of the past four years.

"He's put Dwyane Wade, Travis Diener and Steve Novak in (the NBA), and Dominic James is most likely going to be there in a couple years," said Mbakwe. "A lot of guys wouldn't have pictured Travis Diener or Steve Novak in the NBA coming out of high school. They came a long way."

Mbakwe started this summer for the World Wide Renegades, an AAU team that's expected to send nine or 10 of its players to Division I schools.

An explosive leaper with a college-ready body, Mbakwe boasts a 7-2 wingspan and is considered a top-notch rebounder and defender with a developing offensive game.

Mbakwe is the second member of MU's 2007 class to have committed. La Crosse Aquinas guard Scott Christopherson was the first.


Mr. Basketball.... Christopherson:

Pair share top player award
Special to the Journal Sentinel
Posted: March 17, 2007

Keaton Nankivil, Madison Memorial's burly big man, and smooth La Crosse Aquinas guard Scott Christopherson have been chosen to share the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association's Mr. Basketball award, given to the top player in the state.

It's the first time in the 26-year history of the Mr. Basketball award that co-winners have been named, and only the eighth time that a player from outside Division 1 earned the honor.

The University of Wisconsin-bound Nankivil, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, averaged 16.8 points, 11 rebounds and 6.8 blocked shots per game for Memorial (21-3), which lost to Milwaukee Vincent in overtime in a Division 1 state quarterfinal Thursday. Memorial went 94-8 over Nankivil's four seasons, winning one WIAA title and finishing second twice.

Christopherson, a 6-2 senior who will play next year at Marquette, averaged 22.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Blugolds, who'll meet Racine St. Catherine's in the Division 3 state final tonight. Aquinas has gone 46-3 over the two seasons Christopherson has played there, after his transfer from Melrose-Mindoro.

[LastWarrior]

With the size we have coming in on the frontline and Christopherson's scoring, it's hard not to get excited about next year's team.

[77ncaachamps]

With the size we have coming in on the frontline and Christopherson's scoring, it's hard not to get excited about next year's team.

Word.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

What is up with Notre Dame Prep? I looked up some information on it and it listed 38 students from grades 8 through 12 with 16 of those in the senior class.

Is this one of those basketball factory schools that jacks up the grade point averages of basketball players?

[77ncaachamps]

Why is it that, other than Novak and Diener, Crean's recruiting guys who "need to work on their shot" a la Saunders and Hazel (who's offense game is increasing by "leaps and bounds")?

[Pakuni]

Why is it that, other than Novak and Diener, Crean's recruiting guys who "need to work on their shot" a la Saunders and Hazel (who's offense game is increasing by "leaps and bounds")?

Hayward was considered one of the better shooters in his entire class.
Christopherson has a great shot.
Cubillan is a good shooter.
Fitz is streaky, but usually a good shooter.

Not every player is going to shoot it like Novak or Diener. Few guys for any team can.

[77ncaachamps]

Why is it that, other than Novak and Diener, Crean's recruiting guys who "need to work on their shot" a la Saunders and Hazel (who's offense game is increasing by "leaps and bounds")?

Hayward was considered one of the better shooters in his entire class.
Christopherson has a great shot.
Cubillan is a good shooter.
Fitz is streaky, but usually a good shooter.

Not every player is going to shoot it like Novak or Diener. Few guys for any team can.

But really those guys are perimeter players. Who cares if Novak and Fitz have the height of a forward, they linger around the three pt line more than bang.

My worry is that all of our bigs do not have post games or mid-range games to spread out the defense.

We haven't had a big who can play down low or hit it from the midrange with consistency since Jackson and Merritt of 02-03.

[SqueallyDRyan]

thanks for posting all of that guys. it sounds like we have a solid bunch coming in

[Pakuni]

Why is it that, other than Novak and Diener, Crean's recruiting guys who "need to work on their shot" a la Saunders and Hazel (who's offense game is increasing by "leaps and bounds")?

Hayward was considered one of the better shooters in his entire class.
Christopherson has a great shot.
Cubillan is a good shooter.
Fitz is streaky, but usually a good shooter.

Not every player is going to shoot it like Novak or Diener. Few guys for any team can.

But really those guys are perimeter players. Who cares if Novak and Fitz have the height of a forward, they linger around the three pt line more than bang.

My worry is that all of our bigs do not have post games or mid-range games to spread out the defense.

We haven't had a big who can play down low or hit it from the midrange with consistency since Jackson and Merritt of 02-03.

OK, but now you're more or less changing the subject. You started by asking why TC isn't recruiting more shooters and now have shifted to why isn't he recruiting more post scorers.
As for the latter, he's certainly recruiting lots of post scorers, just without much success. Hopefully Trevor Mbakwe reverses that trend.

[LastWarrior]

I think Saunders, Hazel, & Mbakwe all have the ability and size to be bangers down low.  I think Mbakew is the most ready to contribute next year and be a stud for us.  I think Saunders & Hazel have the athletic ability to develope their games and be big time contributors.  Saunders seems to be more of an athletic scorer and Hazel seems to be the athletic defender and shot blocker.  This class with the height and athleticism reminds me of the Cinci teams of old.  You combine that type of muscle down low with our guards, and you've got an outstanding team. 

[augoman]

unfortunately, I see a dearth of real big men in the class.  all 4ish 3's except mbakwe who is a 4.  hardly solves our problems.  also interesting to see where rivals ranks them.  (wow, am I negative today)

[LastWarrior]

mbakwe is a top 100 player and I believe Scott is top 150.  Saunders and Hazel are more of reaches but they bring athleticism that we haven't seen on the frontline before.  I also read that these guys were still growing and they were expected to be about 1 inch taller coming into MU.  That gives us the some decent size and some guys that can jump out of the gym.  I'd love to see these guys battling for rebounds with the likes of Gray with this 1 inch vertical.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Do not be surprised if one of the recruits goes to Prep School next year. 

[4everwarriors]

one of our "bigs" won't be on campus in August.

[77ncaachamps]

unfortunately, I see a dearth of real big men in the class.  all 4ish 3's except mbakwe who is a 4.  hardly solves our problems.  also interesting to see where rivals ranks them.  (wow, am I negative today)

Something that is positive about athletic 6'7"-6'8" is that Gray and Hibbert (along with Green) should be gone after this year!!!   

[Big Papi]

unfortunately, I see a dearth of real big men in the class.  all 4ish 3's except mbakwe who is a 4.  hardly solves our problems.  also interesting to see where rivals ranks them.  (wow, am I negative today)

Something that is positive about athletic 6'7"-6'8" is that Gray and Hibbert (along with Green) should be gone after this year!!!   

its funny that everyone wants a Gray or Hibbert and are upset that we can't get one but those 2 were very raw and really not expected to have as much of an impact as they have over their careers.  Seem with that TAMU CC center.  He was an over weight slug that all of a sudden decided to get in shape and presto he ends up being pretty good.   For every Gray or Hibbert there is a Grimm and Kinsella.  Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you dont.  We are due for some luck coming our way.

[77ncaachamps]

unfortunately, I see a dearth of real big men in the class.  all 4ish 3's except mbakwe who is a 4.  hardly solves our problems.  also interesting to see where rivals ranks them.  (wow, am I negative today)

Something that is positive about athletic 6'7"-6'8" is that Gray and Hibbert (along with Green) should be gone after this year!!!   

its funny that everyone wants a Gray or Hibbert and are upset that we can't get one but those 2 were very raw and really not expected to have as much of an impact as they have over their careers.  Seem with that TAMU CC center.  He was an over weight slug that all of a sudden decided to get in shape and presto he ends up being pretty good.   For every Gray or Hibbert there is a Grimm and Kinsella.  Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you dont.  We are due for some luck coming our way.

IF

they sign with us first.

[herboturbo]

Do not be surprised if one of the recruits goes to Prep School next year. 

Well aren't Hazel and Saunders already in their 5th year of prep school?

[LastWarrior]

Do not be surprised if one of the recruits goes to Prep School next year. 

Come on Chicos... don't pull a Dodds and not share info.  What have you heard?  Please don't start the winking b.s. over on this site!!

[bma725]

Do not be surprised if one of the recruits goes to Prep School next year. 

Well aren't Hazel and Saunders already in their 5th year of prep school?

Yes.  And Mark Miller has already said that Cristopherson isn't going to prep school.  That leaves Mbakwe, and the likelihood of him going is almost zero.  He's already qualified, so its not really an issue for him.  Unless Hazel or Saunders want to stay an extra year like Hayward did, its not that likely.