Marquette's '07 class a "near miss or potential breakthrough"

[rocky_warrior]

When listing the top 25.
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/111706aaj.html

Personally, I think it's a very solid class...and just the "size" (i.e. bigs) we needed (sorry to SC - glad he'll don a MU jersey too).  Of course it also is probably ranked a little higher because there's too many people in it.  But I've been assured that's a good thing 

[rocky_warrior]

On this same topic, there was an article over at scout a couple days ago that I had missed thus far

Full article:
http://marquette.scout.com/2/591172.html

And an except I found interesting (there's be discussion on this...)

"When you're in the Big East like we are you have to adjust to that," said Crean. "The Big East is a national level conference, and we play a lot of games on the Eastern Seabord. There's a lot of fine players, programs, and coaches out there. But I think we're always going to be in the running if we feel its going to be the best thing for us as well as for the young man."

While Crean emphasized not allowing the program to be boxed in to a single recruiting philosophy, he expressed the desire to continue inside-out recruiting from the Midwest, especially Wisconsin and the Chicagoland area.

[NYWarrior]

I agree with you Rocky, I like the incoming class for MU. 

Personally, I feel that Christopherson is underrated because he committed early and generally stayed away from the high-profile AAU & summer camp circuit.  More impressively though are the three forwards --talk about a roster transformation.  TC has decided to move in a new direction with its bigs -- fast, athletic guys who play bigger than their height.  In the same way that TC has interchangeable parts/looks on the perimeter, he'll get that on the baseline now too.  Plus, I think getting kids like Saunders who have an extra year of prep under their belt can only help.

[LastWarrior]

I've stated this numerous times before but the class that is coming in reminds me of some of the Cinci teams of old.  Athletic, long, and explosive front lines.  I think this class and the class for next year will really set up MU for success in the future.  I think this is the start of some really special classes.

[HoopDreams]

Having three incoming "bigs" Mbakwe, Saunders, and Hazel is gonna be something unusual for Marquette. It will be interesting to see each of them develop and how they will fit into our offense. If anything they willl add a lot more depth to our frontline..which is definitely in need.

[WashDCWarrior]

They list Hazel as a WF.  Anybody know what WF stands for?  Wing forward?

Marquette (4) Commitments:  Scott Christopherson 6-2 PG Lacrosse, WI Thomas Aquinas;  Patrick Hazel 6-7 WF Blairstown, NJ Blair Academy;  Trevor Mbakwe 6-8 PF Mendota Heights, MN Henry Sibley; Damien Saunders 6-8 PF Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep.

[dwaderoy2004]

maybe wing forward, or maybe just a typo...the 's' is right below the 'w'. 

[77ncaachamps]

WF is Wing Forward.

I like the analogy of Cincy's old teams. They were usually "undersized" by NBA standards - most guys were 6'9" or 6'10" and smaller, but athletic and active around the board.

I hope Trevor does play. He'll be an immediate boost to the team.

I think DJ will leave after next year.

I feel someone's going to transfer out at the end of this year...but who?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

WF could also mean Wide post Force. 

[Big Papi]

Cincy would kill teams on the boards with the athletic 6-8 type jumping jacks along with their physical play.  Refs would swallow whistles as they wouldnt want to stop play every 5 seconds and Cincy would get 2 to 4 cracks at putbacks on the offensive end.  That is why I hated that team more than any other back in the Art Long days.  I would love to have the type of presence at MU.  

[WashDCWarrior]

WF is Wing Forward.

I like the analogy of Cincy's old teams. They were usually "undersized" by NBA standards - most guys were 6'9" or 6'10" and smaller, but athletic and active around the board.

I hope Trevor does play. He'll be an immediate boost to the team.

I think DJ will leave after next year.

I feel someone's going to transfer out at the end of this year...but who?

If I were guessing, I'd have to say Burke.  He's getting some playing time, but not much.  At a smaller program he could be a standout.