Duane Wilson Tweet

[brewcity77]

"I don't think any decent human being enjoys recruiting."

--Al McGuire

[MerrittsMustache]

If you're in the "basketball is a business" boat, then that's your opinion and I know I won't change it. But by the same token, I truly believe Marquette represents more than basketball and anyone with Marquette on the front of their shirt, their resume, or their business card should aspire to something better ethically than the "Just win, baby" idiocy that new poster Al Davis likes to spout constantly. I care about winning. I also care about how we win. I'm not a fan of these types of tactics whatsoever.

Like it or not, this is how successful programs operate in today's world of college athletics. If you want to win, you do what's best for the program as a whole, not necessarily what's best for individual players. Unfortunately, Wally is a senior who isn't going to be a key contributor to the team next year so, in the minds of coaches, he's wasting a scholarship that could be going to a player who has a better chance to contribute next season and potentially beyond. Programs that end up "wasting" scholarships on non-contributors rarely have extended runs of success.

Would you rather have the 2010-11 MU team feature Crowder, DJO and Butler or Mbao, Hazel and Christopherson? I know, I know, those departures didn't go one for one with those arrivals, but that gives you an idea of what you're looking at if programs don't clear "wasted" scholarships from time to time. It's an ugly side of the game, but it's still part of the game.

[Pakuni]

Well...maybe not exactly, but the Uthoff situation at UW sure felt pretty similar to that.

Didn't UW make back-to-back Final Fours after the Uthoff situation.
Let's just hope this doesn't set back Marquette's program the way the DJ Newbill situation did.

Really, I hope Wally didn't get hosed here. It would reflect poorly on Wojo, IMO.
But the notion that this would have some long-lasting negative implications for the program is silly.

[brandx]

Spurning the outright payments or deference to the Chicago AAU/high school scene and this are not even close situations.

I'm not talking recent. This was back 25 years - give or take - or so ago.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I'm not talking recent. This was back 25 years - give or take - or so ago.

So am I -- do you think this is a recent phenomenon

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Nvm, mu82 said it better than I ever could

[SaveOD238]

But to answer onepost's question, no. No one would bat an eye if it was Sacar or Sandy.

For what it's worth, might Wojo face some criticism from his colleague coaching the women's team.  If Sandy gets woj-bombed, could it drive him and his half-sister to both leave.  That might be a big blow to the rebuilding women's program that Coach Kieger might resent Wojo for.

[MomofMUltiples]

For what it's worth, might Wojo face some criticism from his colleague coaching the women's team.  If Sandy gets woj-bombed, could it drive him and his half-sister to both leave.  That might be a big blow to the rebuilding women's program that Coach Kieger might resent Wojo for.

Zero chance of getting Ella now.

[rocky_warrior]

Really, I hope Wally didn't get hosed here. It would reflect poorly on Wojo, IMO.

Define hosed?  He can likely still attend Marquette....

1) With a track scholarship, but not play basketball.  He gets a degree and lives a life with no college debt.

2) Himself or his family *cough* pay for the final credits he needs to graduate - and Wojo would welcome him as a walk-on

3) He attempts to get a track and field sponsorship - which could pay for schooling and perhaps walk onto the basketball team (I think we concluded tack sponsorship wouldn't affect basketball amateur status)

I mean the most "hosed" is situation 2, and he'd still end up with less college debt that most people.

[Litehouse]

Define hosed?  He can likely still attend Marquette....

1) With a track scholarship, but not play basketball.  He gets a degree and lives a life with no college debt.

2) Himself or his family *cough* pay for the final credits he needs to graduate - and Wojo would welcome him as a walk-on

3) He attempts to get a track and field sponsorship - which could pay for schooling and perhaps walk onto the basketball team (I think we concluded tack sponsorship wouldn't affect basketball amateur status)

I mean the most "hosed" is situation 2, and he'd still end up with less college debt that most people.

If any of those situations occur I'm totally fine with this.

[Pakuni]

Define hosed?  He can likely still attend Marquette....

1) With a track scholarship, but not play basketball.  He gets a degree and lives a life with no college debt.

2) Himself or his family *cough* pay for the final credits he needs to graduate - and Wojo would welcome him as a walk-on

3) He attempts to get a track and field sponsorship - which could pay for schooling and perhaps walk onto the basketball team (I think we concluded tack sponsorship wouldn't affect basketball amateur status)

I mean the most "hosed" is situation 2, and he'd still end up with less college debt that most people.

In my mind, hosed would mean initially being told he would be a scholarship member of the men's basketball team as long as he retains eligibility, but now being told he no longer has that scholarship for some reason other than his own malfeasance.

[esotericmindguy]

I do love the maturation of MU news. Denial of the event, disparage whoever stated the event, come up with multiple other ways the event went down, justify the event when it becomes obvious it occured and finally tear apart the coach for said event once coach leaves for different job.

[bilsu]

Didn't UW make back-to-back Final Fours after the Uthoff situation.
Let's just hope this doesn't set back Marquette's program the way the DJ Newbill situation did.

Really, I hope Wally didn't get hosed here. It would reflect poorly on Wojo, IMO.
But the notion that this would have some long-lasting negative implications for the program is silly.

I remember people saying that when Newbill got dropped that Buzz would never get another player from Pennsylvania. As far as I can remember he did not get one. However, those bad vibes did not pass on to Wojo, so you are right they do not last forever. There is a difference though in pissing off coaches in PA than pissing off coaches in your schools home state.

[We R Final Four]

Has this ever happened in the history of any program?

I didn't say that it had happened, what I said is this is a real worst case scenario.

[Litehouse]

There is a difference though in pissing off coaches in PA than pissing off coaches in your schools home state.

...or pissing off your program's latest NBA lottery-pick.

[We R Final Four]

You really think the Ellenson family of Nowhere, Wisconsin is going to get more media traction than Duke legend (and presumptive K successor) Steve Wojciechowski?

More? No.

Do you think that someone at sometime may ask them their opinion andfeelings on the situation? Yes.

[MuMark]

I remember people saying that when Newbill got dropped that Buzz would never get another player from Pennsylvania. As far as I can remember he did not get one. However, those bad vibes did not pass on to Wojo, so you are right they do not last forever. There is a difference though in pissing off coaches in PA than pissing off coaches in your schools home state.

If you think this is going to stop Wisconsin kids from going to MU....you are insane.

He got 2 years of a free education. After being at Minnesota for 2 years he should have been able to graduate.

Evan Anderson redshirted at UW and had a year left when he was nudged out.

UW is somehow still getting in state recruits.......

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I remember people saying that when Newbill got dropped that Buzz would never get another player from Pennsylvania. As far as I can remember he did not get one. However, those bad vibes did not pass on to Wojo, so you are right they do not last forever. There is a difference though in pissing off coaches in PA than pissing off coaches in your schools home state.

I think you overestimate how much this will piss off high school coaches in Wisconsin. At worst, this pisses off the coach of Rice Lake

[WarriorPride68]

Evan Anderson redshirted at UW and had a year left when he was nudged out.

UW is somehow still getting in state recruits.......

Big easy got married & graduated early & scored a near six figure salary. He still hangs around the program. Not comparable

[GB Warrior]

I think you overestimate how much this will piss off high school coaches in Wisconsin. At worst, this pisses off the coach of Rice Lake

+1 he's 4 years removed from HS. The lasting impact will be the relationship with HE, which - depending on how acrimonious this separation is - could be more detrimental than if he was never here.

[The Lens]

Matty V confirmed Wally is out via twitter and said story is coming.

[GB Warrior]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/wally-ellenson-no-longer-with-marquette-mens-basketball-team-b99711424z1-376626461.html

[NotBuzzWilliams]

Can't believe he cut Christian Haffner like that smh

[#UnleashSean]

I think you overestimate how much this will piss off high school coaches in Wisconsin. At worst, this pisses off the coach of Rice Lake

I think the much worse part is you've burned bridges with your future NBA lottery pick. Imagine if that had happened to Wade or Butler. These NBA players do bring alot of press to the schools of their choosing. This was Wojo's only actual tie for the foreseeable future, and he may have burned that bridge (Waiting on actual story before passing judgement)

[Benny B]

Isn't playing hoops but still on full ride.

Meh.