Tyler Kolek to MU

[BCHoopster]

Tamu, like your thoughts, I like the idea that Tyler is a gym rat, big kudos from his x coach.  Betting on himself, very confidence person, that will probably show these other freshman how hard you have to work to improve. 

Defections - 3 players right now are working with Smart, your talking about cutting kids, not into that.  I can see some transfers after next year.

[WarriorHal]

Holy crap! Things really are looking up. In their article on Kolek, a local kid, the Providence Journal says we are the Warriors again!

"Kolek joins a Marquette program also looking to make a fresh start. The Warriors fired coach Steve Wojciechowski after seven seasons and hired former Texas coach Shaka Smart, who is a Wisconsin native. Marquette has reached two of the last seven NCAA Tournaments while Smart led the Longhorns to a Big 12 tournament title in March."

Also says he was contacted by Providence, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Penn State, Virginia, Richmond, Davidson, Butler, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Stanford and more.

[DoctorV]

Caught up on some video after my boy Carlos Rodons no hitter, and I really like this pickup.
Good ball handler, good vision and plays with a lot of guts. Several long passes to a runner. Someone already mentioned the shot- extremely quick trigger which will serve him well at MU versus BE competition.
The craftiness of the finishes on the drives is nice, but he has a tendency to lean into the defender to create the space for the floater and that likely won't work in the BE- he will learn to pass it off after he gets swatted a few times I'm sure.

In the extremely early prediction mode I would expect Kolek to start next yr tbh. He will be carrying an "upper classman" burden with only one year of solid experience due to all the freshmen guards on the team.

I'd expect Tyler and DJ Carton to start at the 1&2, with Carton getting more of the scoring and accolades.
If Garcia returns you'll have him and Justin Lewis at the 4&5.
Greg Elliott would be my guess at the "3" but easy to see any of Emarion or Joplin (slots in at the 3), Stevie (PG with Tyler and DJC at the 2/3) or Oso (plays the 5 with Lewis as the 4 and Dawson as the 3 in a large lineup) starting as well

Would be very surprised if Jose, Dex, Kam, or Keeyan started. Don't like to speculate but if someone gets Shakaen not stirred I'd wager Dex instead of Jose- Akannos athleticism matches more with Shakas MO but I just keep finding a role in my mind for a guy that can get a division I bucket, especially with a young squad, and Perez can do that better than Dex.

Stupid question of the night, that I should know the answer to but I've had a few McCallan 18s to celebrate a nice day- redshirt counts against schollie limit or no?
It seems like Shaka could have 1/2 RS candidates right off the bat (Itejere and Cam perhaps)

[MU82]

Holy crap! Things really are looking up. In their article on Kolek, a local kid, the Providence Journal says we are the Warriors again!

"Kolek joins a Marquette program also looking to make a fresh start. The Warriors fired coach Steve Wojciechowski after seven seasons and hired former Texas coach Shaka Smart

That's great stuff!

[Viper]

Caught up on some video after my boy Carlos Rodons no hitter, and I really like this pickup.
Good ball handler, good vision and plays with a lot of guts. Several long passes to a runner. Someone already mentioned the shot- extremely quick trigger which will serve him well at MU versus BE competition.
The craftiness of the finishes on the drives is nice, but he has a tendency to lean into the defender to create the space for the floater and that likely won't work in the BE- he will learn to pass it off after he gets swatted a few times I'm sure.

In the extremely early prediction mode I would expect Kolek to start next yr tbh. He will be carrying an "upper classman" burden with only one year of solid experience due to all the freshmen guards on the team.

I'd expect Tyler and DJ Carton to start at the 1&2, with Carton getting more of the scoring and accolades.
If Garcia returns you'll have him and Justin Lewis at the 4&5.
Greg Elliott would be my guess at the "3" but easy to see any of Emarion or Joplin (slots in at the 3), Stevie (PG with Tyler and DJC at the 2/3) or Oso (plays the 5 with Lewis as the 4 and Dawson as the 3 in a large lineup) starting as well

Would be very surprised if Jose, Dex, Kam, or Keeyan started. Don't like to speculate but if someone gets Shakaen not stirred I'd wager Dex instead of Jose- Akannos athleticism matches more with Shakas MO but I just keep finding a role in my mind for a guy that can get a division I bucket, especially with a young squad, and Perez can do that better than Dex.

Stupid question of the night, that I should know the answer to but I've had a few McCallan 18s to celebrate a nice day- redshirt counts against schollie limit or no?
It seems like Shaka could have 1/2 RS candidates right off the bat (Itejere and Cam perhaps)

RS counts

[onepost]

Tamu, like your thoughts, I like the idea that Tyler is a gym rat, big kudos from his x coach.  Betting on himself, very confidence person, that will probably show these other freshman how hard you have to work to improve. 

Defections - 3 players right now are working with Smart, your talking about cutting kids, not into that.  I can see some transfers after next year.

Definitely don't want a reputation of being a school that is constantly "cutting kids".  But with every player being immediately eligible after transferring, this would be the ideal year for new coaches to let it be known it may be best to look elsewhere for guys on the fringe.  I appreciate any of these guys staying committed to MU once Shaka came on, but scholarships are year-by-year agreements if you want to get technical.  And Shaka has to do what's best for his program.  If he sees greater value in someone else out there over someone he didn't recruit to Marquette, I have no problems with him being an adult, and the player being understanding, about doing what's best for both parties.

[onepost]

Not saying Kolek will be in the same stratosphere as this guy by any means, but he kinda gives off Goran Dragic vibes.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

To those making the Diener comparisons, I've heard similar. Not necessarily for his skill level but for his competitiveness. That's a kid I want on my team.

Anyone catch what Shaka tweeted right after Kolek's announcement?

https://twitter.com/CoachShakaSmart/status/1382476355573530630

[Ben Golds Five]

Yup, he's saying Diener is coming home! 💪🤣

[MarquetteMike1977]

Holy crap! Things really are looking up. In their article on Kolek, a local kid, the Providence Journal says we are the Warriors again!

"Kolek joins a Marquette program also looking to make a fresh start. The Warriors fired coach Steve Wojciechowski after seven seasons and hired former Texas coach Shaka Smart, who is a Wisconsin native. Marquette has reached two of the last seven NCAA Tournaments while Smart led the Longhorns to a Big 12 tournament title in March."

Also says he was contacted by Providence, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Penn State, Virginia, Richmond, Davidson, Butler, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Stanford and more.

Let The Good Times Roll!!

[Goose]

Rocky

The Shaka train has left the station and all seats were full. Sorry, you missed out on the excitement.

It is funny, when some posters were negative on the program you did not like that and now some of those posters are very optimistic and you do not like that. Seems to me you either do not like some posters or just want to not like things. My guess is you are hoping some posters are flat out wrong on their optimistic feelings for next season and beyond.

I am sorry you are sitting out on the excitement and waiting for a bit more evidence to buy in. That said, I know you have a ton of patience and would still be giving Wojo more time.

[willie warrior]

Rocky

The Shaka train has left the station and all seats were full. Sorry, you missed out on the excitement.

It is funny, when some posters were negative on the program you did not like that and now some of those posters are very optimistic and you do not like that. Seems to me you either do not like some posters or just want to not like things. My guess is you are hoping some posters are flat out wrong on their optimistic feelings for next season and beyond.

I am sorry you are sitting out on the excitement and waiting for a bit more evidence to buy in. That said, I know you have a ton of patience and would still be giving Wojo more time.

No Goose, you have it wrong. Rocky loyally supported Wojo-Dukiet too long, but he should get a pass on that, because of his fandom. Nothing wrong with taking a wait and see posture while still supporting the program. I am a strong supporter of Shaka but also taking a wait and see approach. While it appears he is off to a very good start, none of the commits are considered real recruiting studs  so we will have to see how they develop. Want to see some blue chips over next two years.

[tower912]

Welcome Mr. Kolek.

To those making the Diener comparisons, I've heard similar. Not necessarily for his skill level but for his competitiveness. That's a kid I want on my team.

I've said it a couple of times today, Shaka is stockpiling underclassmen. He's not worried about winning right meow. He's establishing his mark on the program, setting the culture, and finding players who will fit in his system. Very different than Wojo's approach.

I do think we see some defections. I don't think they will be Shaka'd out...but maybe some blunt conversations about what their roles will be next season. I'd like to see one more big body added and a wing talented enough to start next season. I think I would like one or more of them to be grad transfers too. It would be nice to have one or two scholarships available for 2022 without relying on transfers/declarations

Why are you laughing?
I thought you said meow.
Do I look like a cat to you?


BTW, you still have nine to go.

[Tums Festival]

@Cj_Ward

" 'He can't play here, can't play there.' Give me the kid u have to kick out the gym. The kid who thinks he's the best player in every gym he's in, the kid that shoots it from the logo. Some pretend to love the work, he LOVES the work. Spoke on it & executed. Proud of u
@KolekTyler"

11:31 AM · Mar 10, 2021

Tweet from one of high school coaches when Kolek was named A-10 ROY.

[Stretchdeltsig]

@Cj_Ward

" 'He can't play here, can't play there.' Give me the kid u have to kick out the gym. The kid who thinks he's the best player in every gym he's in, the kid that shoots it from the logo. Some pretend to love the work, he LOVES the work. Spoke on it & executed. Proud of u
@KolekTyler"


11:31 AM · Mar 10, 2021

Tweet from one of high school coaches when Kolek was named A-10 ROY.

I'm sold. Can't wait to watch you light them up as a Warrior.

[genious expert]

FWIW When Tyler Kolek was a Senior at St. George's School he was teammates with 5 Star Freshman SF Taylor Bol Bowen. Class of 2023.

MU had expressed interest even before the coaching change and I would expect Cody Hatt to be all over this one.

https://247sports.com/Player/Taylor-Bowen-46102044/

[Viper]

Let The Good Times Roll!!

odds on Badger Brad Davison going for a nut punch on Kolek?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Why are you laughing?
I thought you said meow.
Do I look like a cat to you?


BTW, you still have nine to go.

Still one of my favorite "turn off my brain and laugh" movies

[Herman Cain]

Holy crap! Things really are looking up. In their article on Kolek, a local kid, the Providence Journal says we are the Warriors again!

"Kolek joins a Marquette program also looking to make a fresh start. The Warriors fired coach Steve Wojciechowski after seven seasons and hired former Texas coach Shaka Smart, who is a Wisconsin native. Marquette has reached two of the last seven NCAA Tournaments while Smart led the Longhorns to a Big 12 tournament title in March."

Also says he was contacted by Providence, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Penn State, Virginia, Richmond, Davidson, Butler, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Stanford and more.

Thanks for sharing this.

[hairy worthen]

No Goose, you have it wrong. Rocky loyally supported Wojo-Dukiet too long, but he should get a pass on that, because of his fandom. Nothing wrong with taking a wait and see posture while still supporting the program. I am a strong supporter of Shaka but also taking a wait and see approach. While it appears he is off to a very good start, none of the commits are considered real recruiting studs  so we will have to see how they develop. Want to see some blue chips over next two years.

A fair amount of Wojo's recruits were "recruiting studs". What did that matter?  On the other hand, very few of Wisconsin's recruits were recruiting studs. I would take their success over the last 20 years. I think over time Shaka will bring in some highly ranked recruits, but also guys that fit what he wants to do.

[tower912]

Still one of my favorite "turn off my brain and laugh" movies

Mine, too.    Thanks for slipping it in there and reminding us all to laugh. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Not saying Kolek will be in the same stratosphere as this guy by any means, but he kinda gives off Goran Dragic vibes.

I was thinking Matt Carlino. A solid player college but definitely not the Dragon.  Even the Diener comparisons seem a little unrealistic.

Then again, people were comparing Diener to John Stockton back in the day.   Fans tend to overestimate players upside.

[Galway Eagle]

I was thinking Matt Carlino. A solid player college but definitely not the Dragon.  Even the Diener comparisons seem a little unrealistic.

Then again, people were comparing Diener to John Stockton back in the day.   Fans tend to overestimate players upside.

So Deiner and Stockton in a blender?

[romey]

A fair amount of Wojo's recruits were "recruiting studs". What did that matter?  On the other hand, very few of Wisconsin's recruits were recruiting studs. I would take their success over the last 20 years. I think over time Shaka will bring in some highly ranked recruits, but also guys that fit what he wants to do.

I had this conversation with a friend yesterday.  For the last seven years it seemed Wojo pulled in some highly rated recruits. Because he did, we held out hope year after year that their talent would be enough to overcome Wojo's lack of coaching ability.  It never happened.  Shaka's recruiting with a purpose.  He has a plan, an offense, a scheme, a "type" of player that fits.  Beyond pumped!

[Goose]

hairy

I will take a 80th rated recruit that fits Shaka's system over a 20th rated 7ft white kid from MN. Systems make the world go round and you need to fit the right pieces together.