MU recruiting stories to fill the break

[jesmu84]

Stealing from Tower here..

Since we've got time to chat between games, does anyone have stories about MU recruits?

Big daddy said he'd tell the story about Grimes recruitment/commitment after he was out of college.

Stuff like that. Anything entertaining that we might not know? Doesn't have to be scandalous or slander.

[MuMark]

Carl Landry wanted to come to MU for his last 2 years after Juco.....we had another JC guy here at the time playing for Crean and the administration didn't want to have more then 1 or wanted to see how it went with the first guy before they would let him bring on another one......something like that.

So he ended up at Purdue......and then played about 10 Years in the NBA.

[tower912]

Who was the recruit who went elsewhere due to stuff written on a message board?

[MuMark]

Carson Desroisers

[Herman Cain]

Who was the recruit who went elsewhere due to stuff written on a message board?

Vander

[Nukem2]

Carson Desroisers

Yup.

[94Warrior]

In 1978 Scooter McCray was all but signed, sealed and delivered to MU.  Rick Majerus popped in at the McCray home for a visit, and being on such good terms with the family, Mrs McCray sent Big Rick up to Scooter's bedroom.  Well, Rick walked right in and found Scooter choking the gopher.  Needless to say, things became awkward, Scooter couldn't look Rick in the eye and had a quick change of heart and committed to Louisville.  It was a huge shock to almost everyone when he chose not to come to Marquette.

Long story, short.  His younger brother Rodney joined him at U of L, and the 2 of them helped Pervis Ellison win the 1980 National Championship.

True Story!

[Herman Cain]

In 1978 Scooter McCray was all but signed, sealed and delivered to MU.  Rick Majerus popped in at the McCray home for a visit, and being on such good terms with the family, Mrs McCray sent Big Rick up to Scooter's bedroom.  Well, Rick walked right in and found Scooter choking the gopher.  Needless to say, things became awkward, Scooter couldn't look Rick in the eye and had a quick change of heart and committed to Louisville.  It was a huge shock to almost everyone when he chose not to come to Marquette.

Long story, short.  His younger brother Rodney joined him at U of L, and the 2 of them helped Pervis Ellison win the 1980 National Championship.

True Story!

The whole picture becomes clear now.

[real chili 83]

In 1978 Scooter McCray was all but signed, sealed and delivered to MU.  Rick Majerus popped in at the McCray home for a visit, and being on such good terms with the family, Mrs McCray sent Big Rick up to Scooter's bedroom.  Well, Rick walked right in and found Scooter choking the gopher.  Needless to say, things became awkward, Scooter couldn't look Rick in the eye and had a quick change of heart and committed to Louisville.  It was a huge shock to almost everyone when he chose not to come to Marquette.

Long story, short.  His younger brother Rodney joined him at U of L, and the 2 of them helped Pervis Ellison win the 1980 National Championship.

True Story!

TMI

[MuMark]

Mike Deane had a teammate during his playing days in Europe. When Deane was coaching MU the teammate told Deane he wanted his son to play for him.........Deane told him we didn't have a spot.



Kid ended up at Miami of Ohio.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Szczerbiak

[94Warrior]

The point of the story was Rick's bad timing may have cost us another National Title.  The McCray brothers were coveted by every program in the country, and coming off the '77 title we were in the driver's seat for them. 


Package Deal (so to speak).

[MUEng92]

I don't like where this thread is going

[GGGG]

In 1978 Scooter McCray was all but signed, sealed and delivered to MU.  Rick Majerus popped in at the McCray home for a visit, and being on such good terms with the family, Mrs McCray sent Big Rick up to Scooter's bedroom.  Well, Rick walked right in and found Scooter choking the gopher.  Needless to say, things became awkward, Scooter couldn't look Rick in the eye and had a quick change of heart and committed to Louisville.  It was a huge shock to almost everyone when he chose not to come to Marquette.

Long story, short.  His younger brother Rodney joined him at U of L, and the 2 of them helped Pervis Ellison win the 1980 National Championship.

True Story!

Pervis Ellison was not on the 1980 team. He was a freshman on the 1986 team that beat Duke.

[94Warrior]

Pervis Ellison was not on the 1980 team. He was a freshman on the 1986 team that beat Duke.

I am getting old - the memory is fading.  Insert Darryl 'Dr Dunkenstien' Griffith for Pervis Ellison, and the rest of the story is 'On the Up and Up'.

[GB Warrior]

I don't like where this thread is going

Before you box the jesuit, please think of Rick Majerus

[wadesworld]

I heard Rec Centers across America were coming in hot for Ners's services.

[theBabyDavid]

Sam Bowie was less than impressed with the Old Gym but was cinched the deal was his projected lodging at The Beer Can.

[Goose]

theBabyDavid

And we still almost landed Sam.

[theBabyDavid]

Goose

It was that close with Bowie. Word I heard is that Bowie's girl friend dreaded the thought of Wisconsin winters. Wonder how long he was with her...

Another great story is how Jimmy Boylan came to us via Dean Smith. Different world today.

[The Lens]

Goose

It was that close with Bowie. Word I heard is that Bowie's girl friend dreaded the thought of Wisconsin winters. Wonder how long he was with her...

Another great story is how Jimmy Boylan came to us via Dean Smith. Different world today.

Played golf with Jim a few years ago.  He said he was set to meet Al in a hotel on the east coast.  Goes up to Al's room and there's two cheeseburgers and a 6 pack of beer.  He wasn't sure if he should grab a beer but he felt like his spot on the team depended on the decision.  He decided to grab a beer.

[Goose]

Crash and Lens

Recruiting stories like Boylan were the norm with Al. What you saw was what you got.

Not an MU recruiting story, but a UK story involving a local kid about 20+ years ago. The kid was working at our family biz over the summer and was not committed to a school the month after graduation. Great kid, great player but not best student and a bit immature. Rick Pitino learns that he is working at our place and a family member of mine was contacted by Pitino regarding the kid. Basically Rick said, if the kid comes here tomorrow I will give him a scholly on the spot. If he does not come, no second chance.

Family member asks me where the kid was and says go get him because we need to talk to him. On the way back to the office I told the kid that UK wants him and he needs to get down there tonight. The kid walks into office with big grin on his face and we assumed he was all jacked up about Pitino calling. Once in the office the kid hears the news again and responds with "Can I do it another day? I am going to Great America with my girlfriend tomorrow." When told there was no second day offered he simply blew off UK and went to Great America.

That really is the mindset that coaches have to deal with from time to time. Recruiting is a crazy business and you never know what makes a kid commit or not.

Good news, the kid went onto to an uneventful college career, but followed it with a very long, successful career in Europe. Loved the kid big time, but learned just how hard getting a commit can be for a coach.

[MU82]

In 1978 Scooter McCray was all but signed, sealed and delivered to MU.  Rick Majerus popped in at the McCray home for a visit, and being on such good terms with the family, Mrs McCray sent Big Rick up to Scooter's bedroom.  Well, Rick walked right in and found Scooter choking the gopher.  Needless to say, things became awkward, Scooter couldn't look Rick in the eye and had a quick change of heart and committed to Louisville.  It was a huge shock to almost everyone when he chose not to come to Marquette.

Scooter is lucky that Rick walked in instead of Brad Davison.

[muwarrior69]

Is recruiting like dating?

[94Warrior]

Is recruiting like dating?

Does your girlfriend look like Majerus?  If so, then yes.

[oldwarrior81]

It was that close with Bowie. Word I heard is that Bowie's girl friend dreaded the thought of Wisconsin winters. Wonder how long he was with her...

Bowie's high school girlfriend wanted to stay near home and for Sam to attend Penn State.  They made a run.  Even Joe Pa made a pitch, "If you came to Penn State, you may sacrifice yourself for a while, but you'd be the guy who opened doors for others. And for generations and generations, you'd be one of the all-time heroes."

The girlfriend went to Penn State.  Sam to Kentucky.  Guess the draw to play on NBC, ABC and CBS every week was more important than being an all-time hero.

..and I believe there is no substance to the story that Sam's redshirt was retired and hangs in the rafters in Lexington

[Washiman]

Stealing from Tower here..

Since we've got time to chat between games, does anyone have stories about MU recruits?

Big daddy said he'd tell the story about Grimes recruitment/commitment after he was out of college.


So when does Big Daddy get out of college?

[4everwarriors]

Scooter is lucky that Rick walked in instead of Brad Davison.

Scooter's lucky Rick didn't drop a deuce write next ta Rosie Palm and her five friends, aina?

[MU82]

I just remember how freakin' sad Rick was when Wolf picked UNC.

[94Warrior]

Big Daddy was definitely connected, and had the type of Insider info that we all crave. 
But, unfortunately I have a feeling we may have seen the last of him on Scoop.

[Goose]

MU82

Freakin sad is an understatement. Losing Joe changed his life. Thankfully, he ended up having an unreal career.

[We R Final Four]

I just remember how freakin' sad Rick was when Wolf picked UNC.

Yes. Rick and every MU fan as well.

[oldwarrior81]

I've brought up the recruitment of Lloyd Walton several times in the past but in case anyone has missed it, I believe it shows the foundation of Rick's recruiting style.

Lloyd originally considered Marquette but had problems with grades out of high school.
He had completed his freshman season at Moberly JC in Iowa.

Still with an eye on MU, his college coach was telling him Jacksonville would be a better fit for his style.  Remember this was Jacksonville right after Artis Gilmore played in a championship game vs UCLA.  The previous few seasons they had been a top 10 program, averaging over 90 points a game.

Back in Chicago, the phone rang and it was Al.  Lucky told him he had a flight in the morning to Jacksonville and planned on committing while there.
Al told him not to get on a plane until he had a chance to talk to him.

Al called Majerus and told him to get down to Chicago.
90 minutes later Rick shows up at Lloyd's door with a pizza.  They talked for a while, then Rick drove him up to Milwaukee and Lloyd signed with MU.

[Its DJOver]

Nothing too special about the story, but I really enjoyed the recruitment of Wesley.  To steal him from right down the street from UW, and having the UW parent connections that he did.  Also setting the trend for players from that High School (although I doubt Wesley had too much to do with it) to go to MU was great.

[Goose]

oldwarrior

Always liked the Lucky recruiting story. Plenty of great ones during the Al era. Walter Downing recruitment was an interesting one. How he ended up at DePaul, and then MU, was quite the saga.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

How about when Tommy Naismith showed up at Iman Shumperts doorstep at midnite on a 4 wheeler.  Shumpert knew the dude was weird n committed to Georgia tech.

Funny how Cream lost his IU job because all the HS coaches hated him n the 4-5 stars went elsewhere.  Archie is cleaning up the instate recruiting.  2 five stars n 3 four stars in two recruiting cycles.  So much talent only a douche nozzle could f it up.

[MU82]

Al called Majerus and told him to get down to Chicago.
90 minutes later Rick shows up at Lloyd's door with a pizza.  They talked for a while, then Rick drove him up to Milwaukee and Lloyd signed with MU.

This would be considered an improper benefit now. Maybe it was then, too!

[MUfan12]

Nothing too special about the story, but I really enjoyed the recruitment of Wesley.  To steal him from right down the street from UW, and having the UW parent connections that he did.  Also setting the trend for players from that High School (although I doubt Wesley had too much to do with it) to go to MU was great.

The way that whole class came together was something special. Jerel was the first, Dominic the next day, then Wes a couple weeks later after the previous two put the press on.

Gotta give Crean credit, he helped cultivate a bond between those three while recruiting them that ultimately helped close the deal.

[TallTitan34]

How about when Tommy Naismith showed up at Iman Shumperts doorstep at midnite on a 4 wheeler.  Shumpert knew the dude was weird n committed to Georgia tech.

Funny how Cream lost his IU job because all the HS coaches hated him n the 4-5 stars went elsewhere.  Archie is cleaning up the instate recruiting.  2 five stars n 3 four stars in two recruiting cycles.  So much talent only a douche nozzle could f it up.

I believe he showed up in a limo.  The four wheeler is what he almost flipped at Marquette Madness.

[mileskishnish72]

Honestly, some of these stories must be made up.

Majerus lost a recruit because he found him abusing a pet? You wouldn't think that would bother a guy who could make such good use of a towel.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

The way that whole class came together was something special. Jerel was the first, Dominic the next day, then Wes a couple weeks later after the previous two put the press on.

Gotta give Crean credit, he helped cultivate a bond between those three while recruiting them that ultimately helped close the deal.

McNeal and James were the same day. I remember waiting for James to have his press conference when the McNeal news broke.

[oldwarrior81]

Al called Majerus and told him to get down to Chicago.
90 minutes later Rick shows up at Lloyd's door with a pizza.  They talked for a while, then Rick drove him up to Milwaukee and Lloyd signed with MU.

This would be considered an improper benefit now. Maybe it was then, too!

Lloyd never said that Rick "shared" that pizza.
May have just been something to hold him over when walking from the car to the door.

[4everwarriors]

I've brought up the recruitment of Lloyd Walton several times in the past but in case anyone has missed it, I believe it shows the foundation of Rick's recruiting style.

Lloyd originally considered Marquette but had problems with grades out of high school.
He had completed his freshman season at Moberly JC in Iowa.

Still with an eye on MU, his college coach was telling him Jacksonville would be a better fit for his style.  Remember this was Jacksonville right after Artis Gilmore played in a championship game vs UCLA.  The previous few seasons they had been a top 10 program, averaging over 90 points a game.

Back in Chicago, the phone rang and it was Al.  Lucky told him he had a flight in the morning to Jacksonville and planned on committing while there.
Al told him not to get on a plane until he had a chance to talk to him.

Al called Majerus and told him to get down to Chicago.
90 minutes later Rick shows up at Lloyd's door with a pizza.  They talked for a while, then Rick drove him up to Milwaukee and Lloyd signed with MU.

Moberly JC is located in Missouri, doe, hey?

[Goose]

4ever

Was Saddleback the best JV connection for the program?

[MuMark]

Nothing too special about the story, but I really enjoyed the recruitment of Wesley.  To steal him from right down the street from UW, and having the UW parent connections that he did.  Also setting the trend for players from that High School (although I doubt Wesley had too much to do with it) to go to MU was great.

At one point during the recruitment Bo or one of his assistants.....can't remember which....told Wes that Crean was taking the Ohio State job.

Steve Novak

Bo had just taken the UW job......asked Steve and his family if he could do an in home visit.....when he got there he asked Steve which schools he was considering.....he mentioned his top 3....Bo went right into negative recruiting mode.....telling his family why he shouldn't go to any of the schools.....said Crean would be gone before he graduated.....Steve's dad asked Bo if he was going to ever get around to telling them why Steve should attend UW?

They weren't impressed with his pitch.....

[The Lens]

At one point during the recruitment Bo or one of his assistants.....can't remember which....told Wes that Crean was taking the Ohio State job.

Bo was half right, Ohio State was one of a couple of time where TC went Zero Dark Tommy and no one knew where he was.  Arkansas amazingly was another.  He whole staff was wondering where he would land.  Tommy went hard after a few gigs.

[Its DJOver]

At one point during the recruitment Bo or one of his assistants.....can't remember which....told Wes that Crean was taking the Ohio State job.

Steve Novak

Bo had just taken the UW job......asked Steve and his family if he could do an in home visit.....when he got there he asked Steve which schools he was considering.....he mentioned his top 3....Bo went right into negative recruiting mode.....telling his family why he shouldn't go to any of the schools.....said Crean would be gone before he graduated.....Steve's dad asked Bo if he was going to ever get around to telling them why Steve should attend UW?

They weren't impressed with his pitch.....

I had never heard that Wes story, thanks.  I just thought it was incredibly cool that we were able to win that one despite the family connection.  The family connection has been used as an excuse a lot lately (by multiple sets of fans).  Ellenson, Hauser, QG's mom went to Kansas, the whole Thurl +Pace = Nico thing, even Ed to Nebraska originally had a family aspect.  Being able to overcome that is no small feat.

[4everwarriors]

4ever

Was Saddleback the best JV connection for the program?

Bill Mulligan had it all goin' on. J got to us from Waukegon via Saddleback

[MuMark]

Wes wasn't close with his dad growing up and his Mom and Bo didn't see eye to eye from what I recall so there wasn't really much to overcome.

[4everwarriors]

Eye got sum #5 recruitin' stories. Only MU part dat any y'all wood care 'bout wuz in reference that Buzz wuz thought ta knot be trusted, hey?

[4everwarriors]

Bo was half right, Ohio State was one of a couple of time where TC went Zero Dark Tommy and no one knew where he was.  Arkansas amazingly was another.  He whole staff was wondering where he would land.  Tommy went hard after a few gigs.

Illinois didn't want the mf'er. Smart folks in Champaign. Of course, T-Cube spun it to sound like he turned them down. In reality, they never offered. Nads, have I got that right, hey?

[MUDPT]

Bo was half right, Ohio State was one of a couple of time where TC went Zero Dark Tommy and no one knew where he was.  Arkansas amazingly was another.  He whole staff was wondering where he would land.  Tommy went hard after a few gigs.

This. TC had basically stopped recruiting cause he wanted the OSU job. Amazingly, that summer we got the three amigos after losing Bobby Frasor.

[theBabyDavid]

Bill Mulligan had it all goin' on. J got to us from Waukegon via Saddleback

Al stashed players with Mulligan at Riverside and Saddleback.

[Goose]

Mulligan was big time. We got Artie from him as well.

[Its DJOver]

Wes wasn't close with his dad growing up and his Mom and Bo didn't see eye to eye from what I recall so there wasn't really much to overcome.

I don't mean to pry, so feel free to not share if you don't want to, but what did Bo and Wes' mom not see eye to eye about?  On-court issue?  Role/playing time/style of play?  Off-court issue?  Academics/where to get a massage?

[MuMark]

I'd rather not get into it.....I doubt it was the overriding factor anyway......just that MU was not at a disadvantage when recruiting Wes as might be the case in other situations like this.

[Its DJOver]

I'd rather not get into it.....I doubt it was the overriding factor anyway......just that MU was not at a disadvantage when recruiting Wes as might be the case in other situations like this.

That's fair. I respect your decision. Couldn't hurt to ask.

[MUfan12]

At one point during the recruitment Bo or one of his assistants.....can't remember which....told Wes that Crean was taking the Ohio State job.

He had TC in a bunch of jobs over the years.

[DienerTime34]

Part of Crean's on-campus pitch to Bobby Frasor was showing him a made-up room of what his apartment would look like. That's not that abnormal, but Crean had pictures hung up of Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen and other "sexy ladies" which Frasor thought was really weird. Not saying that's the reason he didn't commit, but it didn't help. All ended up working out in MU's favor though.

[rocket surgeon]

In 1978 Scooter McCray was all but signed, sealed and delivered to MU.  Rick Majerus popped in at the McCray home for a visit, and being on such good terms with the family, Mrs McCray sent Big Rick up to Scooter's bedroom.  Well, Rick walked right in and found Scooter choking the gopher.  Needless to say, things became awkward, Scooter couldn't look Rick in the eye and had a quick change of heart and committed to Louisville.  It was a huge shock to almost everyone when he chose not to come to Marquette.

Long story, short.  His younger brother Rodney joined him at U of L, and the 2 of them helped Pervis Ellison win the 1980 National Championship.

True Story!

that's animal cruelty, eyn'a?

[rocket surgeon]

Scooter's lucky Rick didn't drop a deuce write next ta Rosie Palm and her five friends, aina?

  thinkin that would be a kinda of a buzz kill...double eyn'a?

[Fullodds]

Part of Crean's on-campus pitch to Bobby Frasor was showing him a made-up room of what his apartment would look like. That's not that abnormal, but Crean had pictures hung up of Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen and other "sexy ladies" which Frasor thought was really weird. Not saying that's the reason he didn't commit, but it didn't help. All ended up working out in MU's favor though

Frasor’s Final three were NC, MU, and Stanford.  MU finished 3rd

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Recruiting is pretty strange, experience it first hand somewhat recently.

Back when Nader was being recruited by Marquette, one of MUs assistants at the time Aki Collins came to a practice to talk with him and see him workout. I was rarely at my dads practices but for whatever reason I was there that day and decided I made the decision that I was going to Marquette just a few weeks before.

My pops kinda mentions it in passing to Aki, and he goes "Oh maybe if things work out we can find you a mangers spot on the team." Careful not to make any promises but a healthy nudge to try and convince Nader to consider Marquette.

It was also really interesting because Nader did not have the ACT score and it was pretty much thought that he was going to end up at a prep school for a year. Didn't stop Northern Illinois from swooping in at the 11th hour though. Right before he committed everyone was telling him "Do not commit anywhere yet." Still to this day don't know what Northern offered him. Worked out in the end though.

This is also when I found out how big of a prick Steve Alford is. After he decomitted from New Mexico, Alford calls up the head coach from high school and goes on a rant something alonf the lines of "Eff him, I will eff up his entire career, he will never see another D1 offer so long as I'm around."

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

I believe he showed up in a limo.  The four wheeler is what he almost flipped at Marquette Madness.

Haha no kidding thx

[TSmith34, Inc.]

This is also when I found out how big of a prick Steve Alford is. After he decomitted from New Mexico, Alford calls up the head coach from high school and goes on a rant something alonf the lines of "Eff him, I will eff up his entire career, he will never see another D1 offer so long as I'm around."

Sounds like he learned a lot from the General.

[rocket surgeon]

Sounds like he learned a lot from the General.

  except for the WINNING part.  the players had to know playin for bobby wasn't gonna be a walk in the park