Recruiting as of 5/15/25

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Rocket Watts said he plans to narrow his list of schools to five or six on Sunday. @Mitchell4D asked for a hint, but no dice.

https://twitter.com/MarquetteHoops/status/1017571538806231041

Confirmed by Zagoria:

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1017821117166358528

Zagoria also did an article on it. Watts commented on six schools....Marquette was not among them.

https://www.flohoops.com/articles/6219997-rocket-watts-planning-to-cut-list-this-weekend-as-tom-izzo-others-watch

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Article on Dain Dainja with the most bland Marquette mention ever:

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/four-star-dain-dainja-sees-interest-from-big-ten-big-12-and-more

Marquette: "It was very nice. I know a couple guys there like Theo John."

[LAZER]

Confirmed by Zagoria:

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1017821117166358528

Zagoria also did an article on it. Watts commented on six schools....Marquette was not among them.

https://www.flohoops.com/articles/6219997-rocket-watts-planning-to-cut-list-this-weekend-as-tom-izzo-others-watch

Not making the final cut for Carton and Watts would be disappointing.

[wadesworld]

Not making the final cut for Carton and Watts would be disappointing.

Unless we get Mannion. Then I'd be thrilled.

[dw3dw3dw3]

Unless we get Mannion. Then I'd be thrilled.

Really don't see how any top 5 2019 PG is going to come with McEwen sitting there eating up minutes for 2 years. I'd have to believe McEwen in his 4th year of being in a college program is going to be more advanced overall than either Watts or Mannion in their 1st years. I hope I'm wrong and they can pull some magic out of a hat, but I don't think MU has ever recruited at that level, out of state, without playing time available post AL. Maybe I'm too bullish on McEwen, but I think others would look at the roster and not see consistent 25+ min/game playing time till their Junior years.

[4everwarriors]

Hi and dry, aina?

[TedBaxter]

Getting 1 of Carton, Mannion and Watts was always going to be tough, so I hope they are looking at other guards this week and the rest of July.

As far as the Zagoria article, I take his articles with a grain of salt after the Tyshawn Taylor situation. Marquette is not his favorite program.

[Loose Cannon]

Really don't see how any top 5 2019 PG is going to come with McEwen sitting there eating up minutes for 2 years. I'd have to believe McEwen in his 4th year of being in a college program is going to be more advanced overall than either Watts or Mannion in their 1st years. I hope I'm wrong and they can pull some magic out of a hat, but I don't think MU has ever recruited at that level, out of state, without playing time available post AL. Maybe I'm too bullish on McEwen, but I think others would look at the roster and not see consistent 25+ min/game playing time till their Junior years.

Agree, I think these 3 want to start in their freshmen year and some major will make that offer.

[We R Final Four]

Getting 1 of Carton, Mannion and Watts was always going to be tough, so I hope they are looking at other guards this week and the rest of July.

As far as the Zagoria article, I take his articles with a grain of salt after the Tyshawn Taylor situation. Marquette is not his favorite program.

Ted—can you remind me of Zagorias involvement or opinion with the TT situation? Thanks

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Getting 1 of Carton, Mannion and Watts was always going to be tough, so I hope they are looking at other guards this week and the rest of July.

As far as the Zagoria article, I take his articles with a grain of salt after the Tyshawn Taylor situation. Marquette is not his favorite program.

Huh?? Smh

[TedBaxter]

Ted—can you remind me of Zagorias involvement or opinion with the TT situation? Thanks

Zagoria has been a long time friend of the Hurley family and might have authored a book on Bob Hurley Sr.

Hurley Sr. wanted Tyshawn Taylor released immediately from his letter of intent when Crean left and was very upset and Zagoria made that known. Zagoria also has connections to then Kansas assistant Joe Dooley.

[willie warrior]

Confirmed by Zagoria:

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1017821117166358528

Zagoria also did an article on it. Watts commented on six schools....Marquette was not among them.

https://www.flohoops.com/articles/6219997-rocket-watts-planning-to-cut-list-this-weekend-as-tom-izzo-others-watch

I'm guessing we cooled on him, because we all know that Wojo always gets some of his men.

[wadesworld]

I'm guessing we cooled on him, because we all know that Wojo always gets some of his men.

Oooh good one William!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm guessing we cooled on him, because we all know that Wojo always gets some of his men.

Couldn't even wait til the actual list comes out on Sunday huh?

[brewcity77]

Not making the final cut for Carton and Watts would be disappointing.

Better to not make the cut and be able to turn your resources elsewhere than to make the cut for both and spend a bunch of time and effort only to see them both go elsewhere.

[MU82]

Oooh good one William!

Joyless Willie has it nailed: Wojo is the worst recruiter in the country and should be fired immediately.

[LAZER]

Better to not make the cut and be able to turn your resources elsewhere than to make the cut for both and spend a bunch of time and effort only to see them both go elsewhere.

Sure, but seems like a lot of resources have already gone into both that could have been spent elsewhere.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Bottom line is top 100 kids want to play for ncca tourney teams.  We arent one.  Wojo can tell a tale of building a power but after year 4 and an NiT bid the tale gets more skeptical.  My guess is a rough year on the recruiting trail. Go to the tourney this spring n the  class if 2020 opens up for the kids we want.  Studs dont want to go to NIT programs.
Play defense, win games, sign good recruits, rinse, repeat

[genious expert]

Bottom line is top 100 kids want to play for ncca tourney teams.  We arent one.  Wojo can tell a tale of building a power but after year 4 and an NiT bid the tale gets more skeptical.  My guess is a rough year on the recruiting trail. Go to the tourney this spring n the  class if 2020 opens up for the kids we want.  Studs dont want to go to NIT programs.
Play defense, win games, sign good recruits, rinse, repeat

You are right in the sense that making the tourney definitely helps recruiting. Anybody who says otherwise is in denial. However the main problem with recruiting for 2019 is that he can't guarantee minutes like he'll be able to down the line. We have a good team. How good? TBD. My dream scenario is Rocket Watts/Nico Mannion and Samuell Williamson. Realistically tho I'd be ecstatic with Seth Lundy and James Bishop. Bottom line is the coaches have proven they know what they're doing with recruiting. So let's step off the edge aina?

[Galway Eagle]

Bottom line is top 100 kids want to play for ncca tourney teams.  We arent one.  Wojo can tell a tale of building a power but after year 4 and an NiT bid the tale gets more skeptical.  My guess is a rough year on the recruiting trail. Go to the tourney this spring n the  class if 2020 opens up for the kids we want.  Studs dont want to go to NIT programs.
Play defense, win games, sign good recruits, rinse, repeat

Isn't this logic faulty with last years class being pretty unheralded after an NCAA bid and after an NIT bid we got Joey and two of the top availible transfers?

[Lennys Tap]

Better to not make the cut and be able to turn your resources elsewhere than to make the cut for both and spend a bunch of time and effort only to see them both go elsewhere.

I'm not complaining about Wojo's recruiting - it's bee fine. But I don't understand this kind of blue and gold glasses thinking. You invest months (years?) into recruiting top tier talent but it's no big deal when you don't make their final three? When does it become a big deal? When you miss on second tier prospects? Third? Fourth? Or never, since everyone eventually fills their roster?

[Galway Eagle]

I'm not complaining about Wojo's recruiting - it's bee fine. But I don't understand this kind of blue and gold glasses thinking. You invest months (years?) into recruiting top tier talent but it's no big deal when you don't make their final three? When does it become a big deal? When you miss on second tier prospects? Third? Fourth? Or never, since everyone eventually fills their roster?

346 schools are going to miss out on each player. I'd say if they missed out on everybody in the top 100-150 they were after they'd be mad but think of it like when you applied for college, did you not have a reach school, couple schools you should get into and a safety? Same in recruiting, you have a reach recruit and just because it's unlikely doesn't mean you don't try.

[TedBaxter]

If I'm a Marquette coach I take a hard look at 6-5 Detroit Loyola forward Myron Gardner.  Averaged 12.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in the EYBL and is the #4 scorer and #2 rebounder at the Peach Invitational.  Athletic, plays hard and produces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBee-jA2m3U

[GGGG]

I'm not complaining about Wojo's recruiting - it's bee fine. But I don't understand this kind of blue and gold glasses thinking. You invest months (years?) into recruiting top tier talent but it's no big deal when you don't make their final three? When does it become a big deal? When you miss on second tier prospects? Third? Fourth? Or never, since everyone eventually fills their roster?

It happens to almost every coach. Better to happen early in the process.

[GGGG]

Bottom line is top 100 kids want to play for ncca tourney teams.  We arent one.  Wojo can tell a tale of building a power but after year 4 and an NiT bid the tale gets more skeptical.  My guess is a rough year on the recruiting trail. Go to the tourney this spring n the  class if 2020 opens up for the kids we want.  Studs dont want to go to NIT programs.
Play defense, win games, sign good recruits, rinse, repeat

Fine.

That's not the reason it seems like we aren't listed with Williamson though.