2017 SG Phillip Flory commits to Marquette

[LAZER]

I personally don't really care if we're seeing top ranked players slip away from our back yard, as long as we continue to have success on the court that's all that really matters.

Couldn't agree more.  It seems like the idea of Stone has become much bigger than the value he actually brings to program on the court.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You're too funny. We "lost" guys we never recruited but didn't lose Butch, who we recruited hard.

Butch chose Wisconsin over Arizona, Marquette, North Carolina, and Kansas.   He was always going to Wisconsin.

I guess it depends on your definition of is is....we recruited everyone to some degree, just as Mr. Flory will still get letters, etc from other schools over the next 3+ years despite deciding.  So when I say we didn't recruit them all, I'll correct that statement.  MU did recruit them all to some level....to say "we never recruited" them like you suggest, is just wrong.

[Sunbelt15]

Couldn't agree more.  It seems like the idea of Stone has become much bigger than the value he actually brings to program on the court.

But we need a Batman. Every championship team has a Batman. Five Robins' and bunch of Jokers is not going to get us in the record books.

[dgies9156]

Ok guys, is the Marquette news so bad that we're arguing about Flory, Butch Beard, Diamond Stone and the Wolf brothers?

Here's the reality. Talk to me about Flory in 2015 or 2016. Until then, let him go to school and be a puberescent teen. Please, let him be.

As to the losses over the years, let it be! They're gone. Period.

As to Diamond Stone, quit feeding his ego. The kid loves this. He's the center of attention in 30 or 40 universes. It a ridiculous waste of time to look at every smoke signal and guess whether the kid is going to ____ University, University of _______ or _______ College. Call me when he signs on the line, will ya?

Until then... how about them Warriors!!!!!!!

[GGGG]

But we need a Batman. Every championship team has a Batman. Five Robins' and bunch of Jokers is not going to get us in the record books.

We got to an Elite 8 with probably the most flawed team of the last three years.

If a prospect makes or breaks a program, then you aren't much of a program.

[LAZER]

But we need a Batman. Every championship team has a Batman. Five Robins' and bunch of Jokers is not going to get us in the record books.

I'd say Louisville had 5 Robins this year.  Same with Michigan.

[Sunbelt15]

I'd say Louisville had 5 Robins this year.  Same with Michigan.

You had me with Louisville!!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

We got to an Elite 8 with probably the most flawed team of the last three years.

If a prospect makes or breaks a program, then you aren't much of a program.

While I do agree with this statement, there is definite psychological value in landing a "batman" prospect. It would be nice to grab a kid like Stone or Matthews (I personally think Matthews is more likely, but both would be great) to establish that not only can we develop four and three stars, but that we can nab the five stars as well. It changes the perception of the program from "consistent and well coached" to "powerhouse"

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

While I do agree with this statement, there is definite psychological value in landing a "batman" prospect. It would be nice to grab a kid like Stone or Matthews (I personally think Matthews is more likely, but both would be great) to establish that not only can we develop four and three stars, but that we can nab the five stars as well. It changes the perception of the program from "consistent and well coached" to "powerhouse"

You're not entirely wrong... but I think we need to look at the bigger picture.

Would you rather have Quinton Richardson, or Dwyane Wade?

Q was HIGHLY regarded and hugely hyped. He helped get DePaul a lot of pub. because of his HS ranking and his Frosh. season.

Obviously we know what Wade did.

I know it's an extreme comparison as Wade was really a once-in-a-lifetime player, but I think results on the court do a lot more for "national reputation" than signing a top recruit.

The recruiting obsession is overplayed (imho).

[Marqus Howard]

Would you rather have Quinton Richardson, or Dwyane Wade?

I think you make a good point, but it's easier to look at two more recent examples, where NBA success doesn't change the perception of a player.

Therefore, would you rather have Davante Gardner or Fab Melo (or Josh Smith or Enes Kanter - the top three ranked centers in the class of 2010)? Melo was alright while he was at Syracuse, but I would much rather get a guy like Gardner who produces for four years.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

You're not entirely wrong... but I think we need to look at the bigger picture.

Would you rather have Quinton Richardson, or Dwyane Wade?

Q was HIGHLY regarded and hugely hyped. He helped get DePaul a lot of pub. because of his HS ranking and his Frosh. season.

Obviously we know what Wade did.

I know it's an extreme comparison as Wade was really a once-in-a-lifetime player, but I think results on the court do a lot more for "national reputation" than signing a top recruit.

The recruiting obsession is overplayed (imho).

I agree with you. But as you pointed out, its more common for the higher ranked recruits to pan out than the lower ranked recruits. So to answer your question, yes, I would rather get Dwayne Wade than Q. But actually, I would have loved to get them both. Both bring different kind of value. I don't want to become the school that only recruits McDonald's All Americans, but I do want to be the school that can get them when we want them.

But at the end of the day the one thing I know is: In Buzz I Trust

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I agree with you. But as you pointed out, its more common for the higher ranked recruits to pan out than the lower ranked recruits. So to answer your question, yes, I would rather get Dwayne Wade than Q. But actually, I would have loved to get them both. Both bring different kind of value. I don't want to become the school that only recruits McDonald's All Americans, but I do want to be the school that can get them when we want them.

But at the end of the day the one thing I know is: In Buzz I Trust

Highly ranked guys are usually your best path to success. No doubt.

But, as long as the product on the court is successful, MU and Buzz's "national perception" will be fine.

I have a feeling Buzz's bootcamp is the great equalizer for some of these guys. Doesn't matter your HS ranking. If you ain't tough, you ain't playing. That's it.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I think you make a good point, but it's easier to look at two more recent examples, where NBA success doesn't change the perception of a player.

Therefore, would you rather have Davante Gardner or Fab Melo (or Josh Smith or Enes Kanter - the top three ranked centers in the class of 2010)? Melo was alright while he was at Syracuse, but I would much rather get a guy like Gardner who produces for four years.

Bingo.

Also, even if Jimmy Butler was a benchwarmer for the Bulls, he was still a very good/great college player. Same for McNeal (who was ranked, but not a 5 star).

Ultimately, we should judge the success of the recruiting by the player's college career... not by the number of stars next to his name the day he signs to come to MU.

[GGGG]

I think you make a good point, but it's easier to look at two more recent examples, where NBA success doesn't change the perception of a player.

Therefore, would you rather have Davante Gardner or Fab Melo (or Josh Smith or Enes Kanter - the top three ranked centers in the class of 2010)? Melo was alright while he was at Syracuse, but I would much rather get a guy like Gardner who produces for four years.

Melo sucked.  Kanter would have been fine but the NCAA ruled him eligible.

But your larger point is a good one.

[bilsu]

Couldn't agree more.  It seems like the idea of Stone has become much bigger than the value he actually brings to program on the court.

I have to disagree with this. If he goes out of state that is fine. However, by choosing one of the State of WI's programs it has the potential to have an effect on in state future recruiting. One could argue that with the slew of recent in state commitments to MU that MU is now being perceived as the cool school to go to. That changes, if Stone picks UW. Same goes for Looney. I know he is not going to MU, but as long as he goes to Duke that does not change the current trend. Looney picking UW does will effect future in state recruiting battles.

[bilsu]

You're not entirely wrong... but I think we need to look at the bigger picture.

Would you rather have Quinton Richardson, or Dwyane Wade?

We all know Crean made Wade so Richardson picking DePaul over Crean cost him being another Wade.

[wadesworld]

I have to disagree with this. If he goes out of state that is fine. However, by choosing one of the State of WI's programs it has the potential to have an effect on in state future recruiting. One could argue that with the slew of recent in state commitments to MU that MU is now being perceived as the cool school to go to. That changes, if Stone picks UW. Same goes for Looney. I know he is not going to MU, but as long as he goes to Duke that does not change the current trend. Looney picking UW does will effect future in state recruiting battles.

We'll have to agree to disagree.  If Buzz decided to go Bo-ball, rock you to sleep, slow the game down and Bo decided to speed things up, that would change the state of the programs in terms of how they're viewed by in-state kids.  Wisconsin is going to get their recruits.  They have 13 full rides to offer up, it's going to happen.  But most kids see Marquette and their style, regardless of the players who are playing in it, and see that as attractive.  Heck, Bo could pull another McDonald's All-American to McDonald's employee in 5 years (after redshirting a 5 star) and hurt himself even more than his style of play does.  If Stone wants to hang on the perimeter then that's his choice.  Best of luck to him if he wants to.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I think a part of what might make MU cool is the MU-to-NBA success of late vs. Ryan's lack thereof more than how successful at recruiting highly ranked HS players either of them is

[wadesworld]

I think a part of what might make MU cool is the MU-to-NBA success of late vs. Ryan's lack thereof more than how successful at recruiting highly ranked HS players either of them is

Agreed.  Even more to the point than what I tried to describe.

[Tums Festival]

Ok guys, is the Marquette news so bad that we're arguing about Flory, Butch Beard, Diamond Stone and the Wolf brothers?

Here's the reality. Talk to me about Flory in 2015 or 2016. Until then, let him go to school and be a puberescent teen. Please, let him be.

As to the losses over the years, let it be! They're gone. Period.

As to Diamond Stone, quit feeding his ego. The kid loves this. He's the center of attention in 30 or 40 universes. It a ridiculous waste of time to look at every smoke signal and guess whether the kid is going to ____ University, University of _______ or _______ College. Call me when he signs on the line, will ya?

Until then... how about them Warriors!!!!!!!

Good point about his ego. Anyone with a Twitter account name of "All Eyes On Me" certainly isn't lacking confidence.

[GoldenBoy16]

We are not getting Stone. The people closest too him don't know where he's going, but almost all of them say it isn't Marquette. Sure, he still takes the comp tickets to MU games, etc., but there is a lot more at play. These are things I've heard. Diamond wants to be his own man and get out of Duane's shadow (there's so much more to this). Stone's dad doesn't like Buzz's "schtick." Stone's dad runs the show and wants to get offers "from every school" before making a decision. Stone prefers WI over Marquette (it hurts to even type this). Stone should have played up with Ray Allen Select since 15U and they would have been arguably the best AAU team in the country, but his dad turned it down every year because he wants an offense that runs through Diamond. As a result, they have a good AAU team, but get pounded by guard pressure in national tournaments because the guards on the team are good, but not great, or on the same level as RAS. One guy mentioned they like Georgetown and thought they have a good shot at him because of their development of bigs. But I've heard from more than a few people that he really does like Wisconsin, which blows my mind.

YEah Ok

[LloydMooresLegs]

Whatever happens with Stone, I don't like the feeling I'm starting to get on this board of a Stone backlash before he has even decided.  I get that there is inevitably at least a bit of that when MU is the jilted suitor, but let's let him jilt us first.  Or not jilt us. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

We'll have to agree to disagree.  If Buzz decided to go Bo-ball, rock you to sleep, slow the game down and Bo decided to speed things up, that would change the state of the programs in terms of how they're viewed by in-state kids.  Wisconsin is going to get their recruits.  They have 13 full rides to offer up, it's going to happen.  But most kids see Marquette and their style, regardless of the players who are playing in it, and see that as attractive.  Heck, Bo could pull another McDonald's All-American to McDonald's employee in 5 years (after redshirting a 5 star) and hurt himself even more than his style of play does.  If Stone wants to hang on the perimeter then that's his choice.  Best of luck to him if he wants to.

That's certainly part of it, but kids also want to win, especially those that know they aren't going to be playing in the association.  Many ways to win, that's the beauty of basketball.  There are some really entertaining styles or clubs out there that don't always win, but have a fun system to play in.  Sans two years ago with Mr. Wilson at QB, I find UW-madison football to be God awful boring, but they pack the stadium and they win.  That serves the needs of many people and many student athletes.  Just as you might think it is really attractive style of play MU has, many other fans don't.  Some want more defense, some want more outside shooting, etc, etc.  That's the beauty of it.  I won't pretend to know why a certain kid plays for Ryan vs Buzz vs Self or whomever, except that I believe high on the list is winning.

[seakm4]

But we need a Batman. Every championship team has a Batman. Five Robins' and bunch of Jokers is not going to get us in the record books.

I hear Ben Affleck has 4 years of eligibility left.  Congrats young Mr. Flory.  Work hard and become our Ben Affleck.

[BCHoopster]

I hear Ben Affleck has 4 years of eligibility left.  Congrats young Mr. Flory.  Work hard and become our Ben Affleck.

Winning in any style is important, UW has a lot to offer, one is normally a sell-out every game, only game in town, vs. MU that has the Bucks, but the NBA in town is a plus for
MU, they can practice against them in the summer.  The campus, can not compare.  but if you want to be a big man on campus, MU is small enough to do that.  I went to UW and
I am sure I barely ran into any sports celebrity on campus.  At MU, I am sure being seen happens all the time.  Lots of differences, I think right now, Buzz's age makes a bigger difference
right now, do you want to be coached by a grandfather?