Athletic: Joey Hauser Talks About Leaving Marquette

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think there is a better chance of Baby Huey being at MSU in two years than St. Izzo.

Hausers should be moved to the SuperBar.

[mileskishnish72]

I think BC's got a point. We'll see if Joey gets his "feelings hurt." Gosh, somebody might exhort him to paly harder, play defense.

Don't know what I would have done at that age (NAIVE) but I'm worried about his track record.

[MU82]

I think it would have been better for Marquette had Joey just chosen MSU and never came to Marquette.  We might still have Sam.

Agree. Although the anti-Wojo faction woulda gone ape-shyte if the high-4-star brother hadn't chosen MU ... I believe based on all the info we have that Sam probably would have stayed and we'd have a kick-arse team next season.

[MU82]

This matches a lot of what I believed was the most believable storyline coming out of Hausergate, Joey always wanted to go to MSU, picked MU because of his brother,  and that regret eventually caused tension that festered.

Plus tax.

He didn't follow his heart, he followed his brother.

I wonder how many times, in their conversations, Joey told Sam some version of, "I KNEW I shouldn't have come here," how many times in those conversations he crapt on Markus. We'll never know, of course, but given the stuff in this interview, added to the stuff we already knew, it's certainly plausible.

Most kids DO grow up, and Joey just might find that his experience at Marquette helped prepare him for the kind of scrutiny he'll get from Michigan State's demanding coach and fan base.

[Silent Verbal]

I wonder if Joey's strong pull to MSU was part of the reason MU got him on campus a semester early.  Burning his redshirt may have been a preemptive way of making Joey think twice about transferring if he had a change of heart.

[wadesworld]

I wonder if Joey's strong pull to MSU was part of the reason MU got him on campus a semester early.  Burning his redshirt may have been a preemptive way of making Joey think twice about transferring if he had a change of heart.

I'm guessing it had more to do with him rehabbing his ankle on their watch.

[MuMark]

Just a reminder of what was said when he committed

Central Wisconsin Sports, who interviewed Hauser himself:

"To be honest, I tried not to let my brother being there be a huge factor," Hauser said. "Obviously it did a little bit, but just playing for coach Wojo, I think he's going to get the best out of me and help me become what I want in life and playing in Marquette, ever since they started recruiting me, that's just something I really wanted to do. I've known coach Wojo now since eighth grade. Seeing what he's done with the program, turning it around... that's something I want to be a part of. My brother bought into it, now I'm buying into it."

[warriorchick]

Just a reminder of what was said when he committed

Central Wisconsin Sports, who interviewed Hauser himself:

"To be honest, I tried not to let my brother being there be a huge factor," Hauser said. "Obviously it did a little bit, but just playing for coach Wojo, I think he's going to get the best out of me and help me become what I want in life and playing in Marquette, ever since they started recruiting me, that's just something I really wanted to do. I've known coach Wojo now since eighth grade. Seeing what he's done with the program, turning it around... that's something I want to be a part of. My brother bought into it, now I'm buying into it."

I have an episode of Inside Big East Basketball on my DVR from last winter where he is saying almost the exact same thing.

[MU82]

Art Linkletter was right!

[Loose Cannon]

Art Linkletter was right!

Great Comment.

[Lennys Tap]

Art Linkletter was right!

"Kids (and Scoopers) say the darnedest things" - my favorite segment of the show!

[Jockey]

Art Linkletter was right!

I'd bet 95% of Scoopers are clueless as to your reference.

[MU82]

I'd bet 95% of Scoopers are clueless as to your reference.

They can always use the googles.

[4everwarriors]

Art Linkletter was right!

Hoo, hey?

[Jockey]

They can always use the googles.

At least Lenny and Loose are older than dirt, so they got the reference. 

And the rest can contact Mr Google.

[WarriorFan]

I am upset and disappointed that Sam Hauser left the Marquette basketball program.

[skianth16]

Just a reminder of what was said when he committed

Central Wisconsin Sports, who interviewed Hauser himself:

"To be honest, I tried not to let my brother being there be a huge factor," Hauser said. "Obviously it did a little bit, but just playing for coach Wojo, I think he's going to get the best out of me and help me become what I want in life and playing in Marquette, ever since they started recruiting me, that's just something I really wanted to do. I've known coach Wojo now since eighth grade. Seeing what he's done with the program, turning it around... that's something I want to be a part of. My brother bought into it, now I'm buying into it."

With all the attention focused on high level college athletes, do they get PR tips/training from the schools they play for? I know a lot of these guys are used to interviews from their high school days, but some of the commentary around why they committed or why they're leaving sounds like it could be coming from a politician rather than a teenager. Do schools try to manage the messaging here, or are the kids just learning to be mature at a young age?

[warriorchick]

At least Lenny and Loose are older than dirt, so they got the reference. 

And the rest can contact Mr Google.

Would have been funnier if Lenny didn't feel the need to explain the joke.   

[MU82]

Would have been funnier if Lenny didn't feel the need to explain the joke.   

That's OK ... none of us codgers could hear him anyway.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

With all the attention focused on high level college athletes, do they get PR tips/training from the schools they play for? I know a lot of these guys are used to interviews from their high school days, but some of the commentary around why they committed or why they're leaving sounds like it could be coming from a politician rather than a teenager. Do schools try to manage the messaging here, or are the kids just learning to be mature at a young age?

My personal experience has been that players do get media training but unless there is a crisis or scandal, the words are their own.

[Dawson Rental]

You can't teach speed.

Doesn't that depend on neck size?

[Marcus92]

You can't teach speed.

I'd agree with this. But playing defense is less about pure speed and more about lateral movement and smart positioning -- both of which you can teach.

Improving lateral movement involves strength training (for greater explosiveness and endurance in a defensive stance), exercises to increase flexibility and balance and tons and tons of agility drills. Better conditioning plays a role, as well -- this is an area Joey definitely needs to improve. Smart positioning comes with coaching and experience.

I have no idea whether Joey will be able to eventually guard perimeter players. But it is possible to become a better defensive player through dedication and hard work.

[MU82]

I'd agree with this. But playing defense is less about pure speed and more about lateral movement and smart positioning -- both of which you can teach.

Improving lateral movement involves strength training (for greater explosiveness and endurance in a defensive stance), exercises to increase flexibility and balance and tons and tons of agility drills. Better conditioning plays a role, as well -- this is an area Joey definitely needs to improve. Smart positioning comes with coaching and experience.

I have no idea whether Joey will be able to eventually guard perimeter players. But it is possible to become a better defensive player through dedication and hard work.

I think Sam is more athletic than Joey but not tons more athletic. Yet I'd call Sam a "plus" defender because he knows how to position his body, he uses his intelligence to beat offensive players to their spot, he has a good idea when to challenge a shot and when to avoid a dumb foul by not challenging a shot, etc. Sam was a pretty good team defender, too. At this point in his career, I'd rate Joey as poor on all of that. Maybe he can improve with a year of coaching from Izzo's staff.

[Pakuni]

I have no idea whether Joey will be able to eventually guard perimeter players. But it is possible to become a better defensive player through dedication and hard work.

Of course it's possible to become better, but at some point every player has his/her physical limitations that cannot be overcome by training or technique.
All the practice and coaching in the world isn't going to allow Joey Hauser to guard an athletic two guard or wing. The physical tools aren't there. That's not a knock on Joey as a player, just a recognition of his capabilities.

[MuMark]

With all the attention focused on high level college athletes, do they get PR tips/training from the schools they play for? I know a lot of these guys are used to interviews from their high school days, but some of the commentary around why they committed or why they're leaving sounds like it could be coming from a politician rather than a teenager. Do schools try to manage the messaging here, or are the kids just learning to be mature at a young age?

My guess is that their parents coached them on how to handle the messaging surrounding the departure....