Recruiting as of 5/15/25

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm not talking about any specific recruit, but I think a lot of coaching staffs value getting players from out of state because it takes them out of their high school circles. It's a lot easier to shape and develop a player when there are less voices in the player's ear.

This isn't specific to student athletes and is very anecdotal, but my personal experience with working with college students for the past decade is that those put some distance between them and their high school life tend to do better in college. None of us were our best selves in high school and humans have a tendency to revert back to who they were when they met a person when seeing someone from their past (Revertigo for HIMYM fans).

I have no idea how many (if any) college coaches think like that, but its just an observation I've made.

[Pakuni]

It ain't empirical fact, but I would think the hometown school has an advantage both in early scouting (assuming good contacts in the area) and appeal to recruits. I don't lament the Jalen Johnsons of the world going to Duke, but I'd like to believe they'd spot a Tyrese Hunter or James Graham earlier than other programs and reel them in with the allure of playing near home. My hope is that you spot a four-year player that helps stabilize the program every few years.

Again, not a criticism of the staff, nor proven to bear out, but it would seem there are some built in advantages to being in a basketball-rich region. Hoping Wojo and company can capitalize.

If you take a look at the list of Marquette Madness visitors every year, you'd see that MU always brings in many local sophomores and juniors, and sometimes even freshmen. They also host a lot of unofficials with these kids.
So I don't think there's any lack of effort on the coaching staff's part to connect with local kids early on. But that doesn't mean they'll ultimately choose Marquette, or that the coaching staff ultimately will see the kid as a fit for their program.

[The Sultan]

And outside of the ones that go "blueblood," I am not sure how many of the local guys we have regretted missing out on.

Tyrese Halliburton is a notable exception.

[Royale]

If you take a look at the list of Marquette Madness visitors every year, you'd see that MU always brings in many local sophomores and juniors, and sometimes even freshmen. They also host a lot of unofficials with these kids.
So I don't think there's any lack of effort on the coaching staff's part to connect with local kids early on. But that doesn't mean they'll ultimately choose Marquette, or that the coaching staff ultimately will see the kid as a fit for their program.

I think this is a good-sized chunk of the explanation. Having a ton of talent in the area cuts both ways, there may be a lot of proximate talent, but it brings in a lot of other programs too. Suppose it's not unlike how MU has set up shop in Minneapolis. It would be nice to be able to pick off the top talent in the area though. I also think it's fun to root for local kids. A kid like Hunter would have been really easy to cheer on.

TAMU's distance idea may play a part, but I do think becoming a D1 basketball player removes you from a good deal of your past. Between the mandatory basketball stuff and all the program support, MU players have a lot less down time than typical college students, and I would surmise the staff has a reasonably good idea what they do with their time off the court (including a general idea of who they're hanging out with). That said, there's undoubtedly high school seniors that are best served by finding a new environment.

[We R Final Four]

And outside of the ones that go "blueblood," I am not sure how many of the local guys we have regretted missing out on.

Tyrese Halliburton is a notable exception.

Unclear of who "we" is, but personally thought McCay was a big miss. MU certainly could have used a player like JM.

[The Sultan]

Unclear of who "we" is, but personally thought McCay was a big miss. MU certainly could have used a player like JM.

Does it count as a miss if he enrolls and transfers?  (And its McKay)

[We R Final Four]

Does it count as a miss if he enrolls and transfers?  (And its McKay)

Yes—he didn't play for MU. MU missed on that opportunity.

[TedBaxter]

Yes—he didn't play for MU. MU missed on that opportunity.

He was an idiot and was a headache to coach at Iowa State.

[We R Final Four]

Heard the same regarding Vander at MU.

[zcg2013]

I know we weren't in his final 4, but James Graham to Maryland.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I know we weren't in his final 4, but James Graham to Maryland.

I hear Gard cooled on him anyway.

[94Warrior]

I hear Gard cooled on him anyway.

I just checked out Buckyville because I love to see them whine.  I expected to see he wasn't UW material, didn't have the grades, would never have been admitted, etc.  It was worse than usual - Badger fans make me sick.   

[TedBaxter]

Heard the same regarding Vander at MU.

If you were saying Vander was tempermental, I can buy that.  McKay had a lot more issues than that and temperment was just one of his issues.  I would take Vander 8 days a week.

[We R Final Four]

Well, I didn't think it was an either or question.
—They said..couldn't recall any local player we have regretted missing out on.
—I regret that we missed out on the opportunity for JM to play for MU.
—You said he's an idiot and a headache.
—I said I heard the same thing regarding Vander.
—Vander was an absolute fantastic player for MU.
—JM was an absolute stud for ISU.
—MU got Van, I regret that JM didn't play 4 years at MU.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1294071615588831233

2021 four-star DaRon Holmes tells me he's being prioritized by Arizona, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oregon, Cal, Dayton, Marquette, LMU, Notre Dame, & USC.

It's nice to see Kansas not mentioned, previous articles had suggested that they were a frontrunner. Still gonna be hard to knock off Arizona. Also Stan made the cut!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4LqsaNoERY

New highlight video and interview with Lucas Taylor. Doesn't mention any specific schools but says he's considering 15 schools at the moment and may narrow in the near future. I think he visited both MU and Cincy on a recent road trip.

[mumi27]

Looks like D'Marco Dunn has dropped Marquette

https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/status/1296854321624158210

Finalists are UNC, Vanderbilt, Clemson, Louisville, Georgia, Arizona, and Texas

[MU82]

https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1294071615588831233

2021 four-star DaRon Holmes tells me he's being prioritized by Arizona, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oregon, Cal, Dayton, Marquette, LMU, Notre Dame, & USC.

It's nice to see Kansas not mentioned, previous articles had suggested that they were a frontrunner. Still gonna be hard to knock off Arizona. Also Stan made the cut!

If it comes down to MU and LMU, here's hoping neither Stan nor Wojo resorts to "negative recruiting."

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

If it comes down to MU and LMU, here's hoping neither Stan nor Wojo resorts to "negative recruiting."

Wojo: "Don't play for Stan.  I've coached teams full of his recruits and have yet to win a tourney game."

[Galway Eagle]

Wojo: "Don't play for Stan.  I've coached teams full of his recruits and have yet to win a tourney game."

This cracked me up. Nice

[WhiteTrash]

Wojo: "Don't play for Stan.  I've coached teams full of his recruits and have yet to win a tourney game."

ZING!!

[Hards Alumni]

Wojo: "Don't play for Stan.  I've coached teams full of his recruits and have yet to win a tourney game."

[Dawson Rental]

If it comes down to MU and LMU, here's hoping neither Stan nor Wojo resorts to "negative recruiting."

So glad you opened up that door.

[MU82]

Wojo: "Don't play for Stan.  I've coached teams full of his recruits and have yet to win a tourney game."

Superb.

So glad you opened up that door.

Me too!

[mumi27]

https://twitter.com/recruitszone/status/1297625079417798656

Marquette has continued to stay in contact with center Wilhelm Breidenbach. A name to stay focused on for the big spot they will available