Maybe Sam can be our starting PF?

[moomoo]

6-7, 215, looking to add another 10 lbs before the season.

Great article. Really looking (power) forward to watching him play.


http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/sports/2016/04/07/sam-hauser-prepares-marquette/82641162/

[MU82]

Can't deny it -- I'm excited to see this kid play after hearing so much about him.

[chapman]

His parents David and Stephanie Hauser and the entire family welcomed the former Duke player with some down home hospitality, including grilling some bratwursts and of course your beverage of choice.

Well damn, who was actually doing the recruiting?


Sounds like he's a 3/4, more 4 given the make-up of our roster.  But think the power forward we're hoping to find is a 250 pound big boy who sends all bodies that come into contact with him flying across the court.

[HoopsterBC]

He sees playing time staring him right in the face.  He will be MU's Kris Jenkins, might be a Power Forward mismatch, can play a little like Henry as he can dribble the
ball up the court.  Not sure who will be better shooting the ball if he starts,  Rowsey or Him?  Carter can get in the lane and now he has two people who can shoot
it,  maybe they will out score teams next year.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I think Sam will b we a great asset.  It sounds like he is still growing.  Would be nice if he adds an inch or two and 20 lbs.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Sounds like he's a 3/4, more 4 given the make-up of our roster.  But think the power forward we're hoping to find is a 250 pound big boy who sends all bodies that come into contact with him flying across the court.

+1

Also, I hope we learned a lesson last year about inexperienced players - particularly relying on someone who is not a McD's AA trying to play a position that require mass and toughness

[DUNKS45]

Sam is a winner, he's a class act and will help us big time. More muscle is a must, I just hope it doesn't alter his shooting. GO WARRIORS!

[esotericmindguy]

Except Jenkings is "listed" at 240, probably closer to 260. If you can shoot you will play, something that Wojo understands much more than Buzz. Tough to be a lock down defender in big east at 6'7 200 pounds, unless you have amazing athleticism. I'm excited to have a team that can hit open shots, been a while. 

[HoopsterBC]

Lets face it, we may look like Villanova playing small, because that is the make-up of the team right now.  We might be able to score, but there will be huge issues
on the D side if this is what really happens.   If MU played Villy right now with what we have, MU would be in trouble.  Last year Henry had his way, as he was the
mismatch, this year every position will have issues.  That is why Wojo is out trying to fine one more player.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Lets face it, we may look like Villanova playing small, because that is the make-up of the team right now.  We might be able to score, but there will be huge issues
on the D side if this is what really happens.   If MU played Villy right now with what we have, MU would be in trouble.  Last year Henry had his way, as he was the
mismatch, this year every position will have issues.  That is why Wojo is out trying to fine one more player.

I am fine with 4 out and 1 in like BD reported.  The 4 out though need to be athletic and incredibly strong and much more mature than we are right now.  For example while I love HC -- he could not do what the VU guards did on defense & rebounding until his body catches up with his talent.

[Warrior Code]

Coach "Wojo" suggested he would be comfortable playing him at any of three positions from shooting guard to power forward.

Switchables, a Marquette tradition.

[RushmoreAcademy]

We need someone who looks like this:

[KampusFoods]

We need someone who looks like this:

*Sigh*.... I miss Davante

[mu03eng]

We need someone who looks like this:

I don't think we do. I think we need a PF for sure, but you can play different styles of defense/rebounding based on what players we have on the roster. We can get an athletic PF without him being a big guy. With HE on the roster we essentially rebounded with two (HE and Luke) and had run outs with everyone else, which is why we gave up a lot of long rebounds off bad 3pt shots and how we could play so fast.

Given the roster make up right now, I expect that we'll crash the boards a lot more and if we break it'll be a secondary one not run outs.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I don't think we do. I think we need a PF for sure, but you can play different styles of defense/rebounding based on what players we have on the roster. We can get an athletic PF without him being a big guy. With HE on the roster we essentially rebounded with two (HE and Luke) and had run outs with everyone else, which is why we gave up a lot of long rebounds off bad 3pt shots and how we could play so fast.

Given the roster make up right now, I expect that we'll crash the boards a lot more and if we break it'll be a secondary one not run outs.

Agreed. We just need an athletic dude to grab the boards - eat up 28-32 MPG at the 4 - who is good defensively. Doesn't need to be polished offensively, though that would obviously be gravy.

[Marcus92]

If MU played Villy right now with what we have, MU would be in trouble.

Well, duh. The same holds true for all 349 other teams in Division I men's basketball. Nova isn't just the best team in the Big East — they're the best team in the country.

Reaching that level may be the ultimate goal. But it's not very likely for this season. Right now, I'm concerned with improving from 8 to at least 10 conference wins and putting ourselves in contention for an NCAA bid.

Improving our 3-point shooting percentage and cutting down on turnovers will help raise our offensive efficiency. Next year we'll have more experience and depth in the backcourt (a good indicator for better ball control) and more long-distance threats (with the addition of Rowsey and Hauser). Both of those factors — more made 3s, fewer TOs — will help reduce transition opportunities for the other team, a positive for defensive efficiency.

Of course, I'm concerned about rebounding and post defense. They're obviously huge question marks. But it's not like Wojo is unaware of the situation. He's stressed toughness, rebounding and defense in virtually every press conference and interview I've ever heard or read (including the link at the top of this thread).

While I'd love to find a Robert Jackson-like player, I'm not convinced that's the only path back to the tournament. How our current players develop in the off-season may be even more important than who else we add to the roster.

[MuMark]

now 6'7 215 and wants to add 10-15 lbs before he gets here
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/sports/2016/04/07/sam-hauser-prepares-marquette/82641162/

[GOO]

Unless I hear from a great source that he will not be back, I am assuming that Wally is going to be able to get some minutes at the 4. 

[muwarrior69]

It seems to me that when they put an MU uniform on these guys forget how to shoot.

[jsglow]

There's gotta be 2-3 guys including WE eyeballing those minutes.

[Marcus92]

Unless I hear from a great source that he will not be back, I am assuming that Wally is going to be able to get some minutes at the 4.

Wally posted a pretty good defensive rebounding percentage last season at 19.4%. He's not a huge offensive asset, mostly relying on cutbacks, but he's incredibly active and athletic. With a good offseason of work, I could easily see him posting Steve Taylor-like numbers (around 5 ppg and 5 rpg playing 15-20 minutes a game), possibly better.

That's not enough to replace Henry's scoring and rebounding. But Wally could definitely be a key contributor.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

That's not enough to replace Henry's scoring and rebounding. But Wally could definitely be a key contributor.

Wally has a lot to offer and I liked his spark off the bench.

I have serious concerns though on his ability to guard a true 4 without fouling.  Needs to get stronger to be proficient there.

[GGGG]

I like Wally but 15-20 mpg wold not be good. 10 mpg of energy max.

[jsglow]

Between Wally,  Sam and another young Frosh like Kalif we'd be okay.

So I'm trying to recall.  When Fisch was nailed to the bench with foul trouble, did Wally play the 4 after Matty got hurt?  Seems like for awhile he was ahead of Sandy in the rotation.  Or did we go more 4 guards?

[Lennys Tap]

I like Wally but 15-20 mpg wold not be good. 10 mpg of energy max.

Agree. If WE approaches 20 mpg we're in for another long winter.