2017 SG Phillip Flory commits to Marquette

[ChicosBailBonds]

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?

Depends on the grandfather.  Many Wisconsin kids will say yes.   Just as many said yes to Grandpa Wooden and Grandpa Dean Smith and Grandpa John Thompson.  Different strokes for different folks

[forgetful]

Depends on the grandfather.  Many Wisconsin kids will say yes.   Just as many said yes to Grandpa Wooden and Grandpa Dean Smith and Grandpa John Thompson.  Different strokes for different folks

Agreed, Tark the shark (being inducted into the hall of fame) was able to bring in people even when he was beyond a Grandpa, because of his reputation as having an undying devotion to his players.  I see Buzz as having that same lifelong commitment to his guys.

I think that degree of commitment and devotion to the kids means more to them than age.

[Dawson Rental]

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

GoldenBoy16,

Is this sarcasm, or are you backing of on your prediction?

[We R Final Four]

Depends on the grandfather.  Many Wisconsin kids will say yes.   Just as many said yes to Grandpa Wooden and Grandpa Dean Smith and Grandpa John Thompson.  Different strokes for different folks

Let me know when Grandpa Ryan wins a title like the others you referenced.

[Golden Avalanche]

Let me know when Grandpa Ryan wins a title like the others you referenced.

Dude, like it or not, Bo Ryan has won a crap ton at Wisconsin. Hell, he won a crap ton before he got to Wisconsin.

[4everwarriors]

A front line of Dekker, Looney, and Stone would enhance said crap ton.

[Lennys Tap]

Depends on the grandfather.  Many Wisconsin kids will say yes.   Just as many said yes to Grandpa Wooden and Grandpa Dean Smith and Grandpa John Thompson.  Different strokes for different folks

Grandpa Ryan turns 66 this December and will be in his 70s when the kids he's now recruiting graduate. He has made the Elite 8 once. Grandpa Wooden retired at 64 with 10 NCAA championships. Grandpa Smith retired at 66. He won his first NCAA title at the age of 51 after reaching the final 4 several times. Grandpa Thompson made the final 4 at the age of 42 and won it all the following year. He retired at 57.

So the other three Grandpas were 4,6 and 13 years younger than Bo is today when they signed their last class to play 4 years for them. And they all had far greater accomplishments to boot. Comparing Bo's relevance or record to these guys? Not so much.

[BCHoopster]

Grandpa Ryan turns 66 this December and will be in his 70s when the kids he's now recruiting graduate. He has made the Elite 8 once. Grandpa Wooden retired at 64 with 10 NCAA championships. Grandpa Smith retired at 66. He won his first NCAA title at the age of 51 after reaching the final 4 several times. Grandpa Thompson made the final 4 at the age of 42 and won it all the following year. He retired at 57.

So the other three Grandpas were 4,6 and 13 years younger than Bo is today when they signed their last class to play 4 years for them. And they all had far greater accomplishments to boot. Comparing Bo's relevance or record to these guys? Not so much.

Bo Ryan has proven that he is a great coach, Wisky will have a hard time replacing him.  The recruiting of Stone and Looney would be icing on the cake if he could get those 2.  It would
show that winning is more important than style.  If he does not get them, it might be time to move on.  If Buzz can not get either, it will also tell you that Buzz will have to re-think his
future, can he take MU to the next level?  He is doing a great job in recruiting Wisconsin kids, but needs that high level recruit.

[tower912]

Buzz needs to land that high level recruit?   You realize this freshman class is very highly ranked, don't you?   That we already have solid recruits committed for the next few classes?   Coming off of S16, S16, E8 seasons.     Jeeeeez, sometimes I think the only thing that would satisfy some on this board is if he were out recruiting Calipari, without the whole, embarrassing NIT year thrown in.      Good Lord.     Welcome, young Mr. Flory.   Keep up the good work. 

[Bieberhole69]

Bo Ryan has proven that he is a great coach, Wisky will have a hard time replacing him.  The recruiting of Stone and Looney would be icing on the cake if he could get those 2.  It would
show that winning is more important than style.  If he does not get them, it might be time to move on.  If Buzz can not get either, it will also tell you that Buzz will have to re-think his
future, can he take MU to the next level?  He is doing a great job in recruiting Wisconsin kids, but needs that high level recruit.

I don't know what he'll actually be thinking if MU misses out on Stone, but he can definitely take MU to the next level without a signature recruit.  If he can round out the '14 class with Ahmed Hill and maybe a guy like Lammers or Craig, he will have put together two great classes back-to-back.  And he's already in good shape in '15 with Noskowiak.  While MU has seen this type of talent before, I don't think we've seen the depth and consistency year over year like this. If Buzz can consitently field squads with 7 or 8 top 100 players, great things will come.

[BCHoopster]

Buzz needs to land that high level recruit?   You realize this freshman class is very highly ranked, don't you?   That we already have solid recruits committed for the next few classes?   Coming off of S16, S16, E8 seasons.     Jeeeeez, sometimes I think the only thing that would satisfy some on this board is if he were out recruiting Calipari, without the whole, embarrassing NIT year thrown in.      Good Lord.     Welcome, young Mr. Flory.   Keep up the good work. 

Yes, Buzz has done a great job getting solid kids between 30-100 on the top 100 list, do you want MU to do better or stay the same?  I do not.  How about the Final 4?  Cohen is about
70 and Malek Harris is just outside that, but from a reliable source he is better than that, if you add some height that would be great.  If you add Stone, he is a Top 10 recruit.  I grew up
in the Al era, anything wrong with being in the Top 10 for 10 years straight?  Getting Top 10 kids?  Isn't that what Buzz is striving for, working his ass off.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Let me know when Grandpa Ryan wins a title like the others you referenced.

Doesn't particularly matter, Ryan is a legend in Wisconsin, will be a hall of fame coach, some kids want to play for him.  He's one plenty of Big Ten titles and he coaches at a school with Wisconsin on its chest which means a ton in some states (means squat in states like California).

[ChicosBailBonds]

Grandpa Ryan turns 66 this December and will be in his 70s when the kids he's now recruiting graduate. He has made the Elite 8 once. Grandpa Wooden retired at 64 with 10 NCAA championships. Grandpa Smith retired at 66. He won his first NCAA title at the age of 51 after reaching the final 4 several times. Grandpa Thompson made the final 4 at the age of 42 and won it all the following year. He retired at 57.

So the other three Grandpas were 4,6 and 13 years younger than Bo is today when they signed their last class to play 4 years for them. And they all had far greater accomplishments to boot. Comparing Bo's relevance or record to these guys? Not so much.

Grandpa Ryan also started in DI a lot later than those guys did.  Context is everything.

If Grandpa Ryan wasn't a great coach, he wouldn't be doing what he has done at Wisconsin...winning at a program that historically sucked balls.  Many kids want to play for him.

Lou Carnesecca never won a title, kids wanted to play for him.  Why do kids want to play for Jim Larranaga?  Etc, etc.  Different strokes for different folks.  It isn't a zero sum game.  Some want to play for the young coach that is cool, others want to play for the older coach and his wisdom and guile.  

Rick Majerus was what, 65 when he died and kids wanted to play for him....he had no titles.

Mike Montgomery is 66 I believe, kids wanted to play for him

Steve Fisher is 67 or so....same

Happy to provide more examples

[BubbaWilliams]

I don't know what he'll actually be thinking if MU misses out on Stone, but he can definitely take MU to the next level without a signature recruit.  If he can round out the '14 class with Ahmed Hill and maybe a guy like Lammers or Craig, he will have put together two great classes back-to-back.  And he's already in good shape in '15 with Noskowiak.  While MU has seen this type of talent before, I don't think we've seen the depth and consistency year over year like this. If Buzz can consitently field squads with 7 or 8 top 100 players, great things will come.

Great Username

[GGGG]

Grandpa Ryan turns 66 this December and will be in his 70s when the kids he's now recruiting graduate. He has made the Elite 8 once. Grandpa Wooden retired at 64 with 10 NCAA championships. Grandpa Smith retired at 66. He won his first NCAA title at the age of 51 after reaching the final 4 several times. Grandpa Thompson made the final 4 at the age of 42 and won it all the following year. He retired at 57.

So the other three Grandpas were 4,6 and 13 years younger than Bo is today when they signed their last class to play 4 years for them. And they all had far greater accomplishments to boot. Comparing Bo's relevance or record to these guys? Not so much.

Bo Ryan is younger than Coach K.

And yeah, Coach K has accomplished more and Duke isn't Wisconsin.  But the idea that people don't want to play for old coaches is a little insulting to both coach and player.

[We R Final Four]

Doesn't particularly matter, Ryan is a legend in Wisconsin, will be a hall of fame coach, some kids want to play for him.  He's one plenty of Big Ten titles and he coaches at a school with Wisconsin on its chest which means a ton in some states (means squat in states like California).

Yeah I know-I live here. Some kids will play for the state school no matter what-even if it is the wrong system for that player. Sam Okey comes to mind.

Point is putting Ryan and Wooden/Smith/Thompson in the same sentence is a joke.

[Aughnanure]

Grandpa Ryan also started in DI a lot later than those guys did.  Context is everything.

If Grandpa Ryan wasn't a great coach, he wouldn't be doing what he has done at Wisconsin...winning at a program that historically sucked balls.  Many kids want to play for him.

Lou Carnesecca never won a title, kids wanted to play for him.  Why do kids want to play for Jim Larranaga?  Etc, etc.  Different strokes for different folks.  It isn't a zero sum game.  Some want to play for the young coach that is cool, others want to play for the older coach and his wisdom and guile.  

Rick Majerus was what, 65 when he died and kids wanted to play for him....he had no titles.

Mike Montgomery is 66 I believe, kids wanted to play for him

Steve Fisher is 67 or so....same

Happy to provide more examples

All those "examples" reached a Final Four.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yeah I know-I live here. Some kids will play for the state school no matter what-even if it is the wrong system for that player. Sam Okey comes to mind.

Point is putting Ryan and Wooden/Smith/Thompson in the same sentence is a joke.

I was merely responding to the desire to play for "grandpa" as examples.  I've provided many other examples of non championship coaches to address that "joke". 

[ChicosBailBonds]

All those "examples" reached a Final Four.

Yes in those examples they did, though Steve Fisher's ride was unique.  NCAA tournament is a crap shoot.  Ryan is a great coach, lots of kids want to play for him whether he is 65 or not.

Today's 65 is also a hell of a lot different than Wooden's 65 or Smith's or Louies.  I'd say today's 65 is more like 55 from 20 years ago.

[GGGG]

Yeah I know-I live here. Some kids will play for the state school no matter what-even if it is the wrong system for that player. Sam Okey comes to mind.

Actually Okey is not a good example.  The system that he signed up for under (Stu Jackson, Stan Van Gundy) was perfect for him.  Dick Bennett was not and that is why he transferred after Van Gundy was fired.

An actual good example is Butch.

[Litehouse]

An actual good example is Butch.

Stiemsma too

[Lennys Tap]

And yeah, Coach K has accomplished more and Duke isn't Wisconsin. 

By a gazillion and by a gazillion. Changes the equation by, oh, maybe a couple gazillion.

[Lennys Tap]

Grandpa Ryan also started in DI a lot later than those guys did.  Context is everything.

If Grandpa Ryan wasn't a great coach, he wouldn't be doing what he has done at Wisconsin...winning at a program that historically sucked balls.  Many kids want to play for him.

Lou Carnesecca never won a title, kids wanted to play for him.  Why do kids want to play for Jim Larranaga?  Etc, etc.  Different strokes for different folks.  It isn't a zero sum game.  Some want to play for the young coach that is cool, others want to play for the older coach and his wisdom and guile.  

Rick Majerus was what, 65 when he died and kids wanted to play for him....he had no titles.

Mike Montgomery is 66 I believe, kids wanted to play for him

Steve Fisher is 67 or so....same

Happy to provide more examples

1. He started at a D1 school much later because nobody asked him earlier.

2. Wisconsin may have historically "sucked balls", but wasn't Dick Bennett (Final 4, etc) the one who changed that?

3. Carneseca, Montgomery, Majerus and Fisher all made the Final 4 but I won't argue with comparing them with Bo. That's legit. But Wooden, Smith and Thompson? That's delusional.

[NersEllenson]

Yes, Buzz has done a great job getting solid kids between 30-100 on the top 100 list, do you want MU to do better or stay the same?  I do not.  How about the Final 4?  Cohen is about
70 and Malek Harris is just outside that, but from a reliable source he is better than that, if you add some height that would be great.  If you add Stone, he is a Top 10 recruit.  I grew up
in the Al era, anything wrong with being in the Top 10 for 10 years straight?  Getting Top 10 kids?  Isn't that what Buzz is striving for, working his ass off.

Every fan would love to see their team in Final Fours consistently and the Top 10, but I sure as hell am not going to complain about losing a Stone or Looney, as we reel in top 30-100 kids in back to back to back to back classes....and continue on to Sweet 16, Sweet 16, and Elite 8's.

Fan expectations can be ridiculous.  Sorry, but this aint the 1970s and college basketball/recruiting has changed a ton since then....and for MU to be doing as well as it is right now, the past 4 years, and what the roster complexion looks like the next 4 - I'd suggest getting on your knees and thanking the basketball gods for delivering Buzz Williams to MU, and for him staying at MU through some seriously challenging administrative turnover...and not melting down over if we lose a Stone or Looney to UW or any other school for that matter.  Of course would love to have them, but if they can't see what Buzz is putting together at MU, and don't want to be a part of it...best wishes to them elsewhere....we will be MORE than fine.

[real chili 83]

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

No, they had 5 Cardinals.