Brandon Podziemski

[BCHoopster]

Curious did MU or Wisconsin recruit this kid since he is going to be drafted tonight?  He transferred from Illinois to Santa Clara so there was
a chance you could have gotten him after he left Illinois?  Really would have helped the Badgers!

[Jay Bee]

S U P E R B A R

[jfp61]

I always wanted him at MU . I don't think marquette really wanted him. I think he was offered under wojo and considered for a few months under wojo, and i know he was contacted as a last minute effort under shaka when shaka first got the job before his freshman year, but at that point he wanted illinois.

I don't think MU contacted him last summer having Kam and liking stevie internally. UW i have no clue what they are doing.

I will say, i was listening to a podcast where NBA Draft evaluators were making fun of his dad for always being around and being a nuisance.  The sentiment with college coaches was probably the same.

UW just needs talent, and every talented kid, their parents, or coaches, i have talked to in the state in the past 1-2 years has limited interest in going there for one reason or another.

[Coleman]

UW just needs talent, and every talented kid, their parents, or coaches, i have talked to in the state in the past 1-2 years has limited interest in going their for one reason or another.

Curious in hearing more about this.....

UW was always THE destination for in-state kids under Bo Ryan. MU obviously won its share of in-state recruiting battles (Wes Matthews, Steve Novak, etc.) but it was always an uphill battle for in-state talent. If this has truly changed, I'd love to hear more about why. Is it just a matter of Greg Gard not being Bo Ryan?

[MUfan12]

As the NBA evolved it has made their system seem even more dated.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Curious in hearing more about this.....

UW was always THE destination for in-state kids under Bo Ryan. MU obviously won its share of in-state recruiting battles (Wes Matthews, Steve Novak, etc.) but it was always an uphill battle for in-state talent. If this has truly changed, I'd love to hear more about why. Is it just a matter of Greg Gard not being Bo Ryan?

No idea if this is why, but there was that whole kerfuffle two or three seasons ago where the player was publicly calling out Gard as not caring about his players.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I think it's a number of factors...

...style of play
...high profile decommits (Herro) and transfers (King) from in-state guys
...the current crop of high schoolers were in elementary school when UW was in the Final Four
...geography isn't as important as a factor as it used to be in basketball recruiting. We see this at Marquette.
...Gard is good - but he's no Bo.

[Viper]

I think it's a number of factors...

...style of play
...high profile decommits (Herro) and transfers (King) from in-state guys
...the current crop of high schoolers were in elementary school when UW was in the Final Four
...geography isn't as important as a factor as it used to be in basketball recruiting. We see this at Marquette.
...Gard is good - but he's no Bo.

please win at UW in December. Better dead, than RED!

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I will also add, I bet Gard (like Shaka) doesn't really care where his players are coming from.

[We R Final Four]

I will also add, I bet Gard (like Shaka) doesn't really care where his players are coming from.

Gard brings in several stiffs from Minneapolis burbs every year……..so he does seem to care to a certain degree.

[Tyler COLEk]

I’d say the jury is still out on whether Gard is “good.”

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I’d say the jury is still out on whether Gard is “good.”

Two conference championships and two sweet 16s in eight years of coaching? I think that classifies as "good."

[Jay Bee]

Two conference championships and two sweet 16s in eight years of coaching?

Or, put another way, zero outright regular season B1G championships and in the first two years after inheriting Bo’s program due to his disgusting behavior, made the S16 (crap shoot) but not since

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Or, put another way, zero outright regular season B1G championships and in the first two years after inheriting Bo’s program due to his disgusting behavior, made the S16 (crap shoot) but not since

Right. Which is why I didn't say "great" or even "very good." 

[Dickthedribbler]

Curious in hearing more about this.....

UW was always THE destination for in-state kids under Bo Ryan. MU obviously won its share of in-state recruiting battles (Wes Matthews, Steve Novak, etc.) but it was always an uphill battle for in-state talent. If this has truly changed, I'd love to hear more about why. Is it just a matter of Greg Gard not being Bo Ryan?

I think a lot of that was the connection between first Dick Bennett and immediately following him, Bo Ryan, with high school coaches in the State of Wisconsin.

Bennett started as a high school freshman coach in Wisconsin in 1965, and he coached in the State at every level for the next 35 years without leaving. Ryan started in Wisconsin as an assistant at some D-3 school in Racine in t he mid 70s, that I think is now defunct, and he never left for 40 years.

In the eyes of every high school coach in Wisconsin, Bennett and Ryan have had kind of an "every man" effect on these high school coaches. At one time or another every H. S. coach here has had personal contact with Bennett and/or Ryan-----camps, clinics, speaking, recruiting, networking, etc. If you're one of these high school coaches and Bennett or Ryan show a strong interest in one of your players, there's almost a spiritual or otherworldly desire to deliver the kid to the UW.


Gard has not reached, and may never reach, that cult-like status.

[Coleman]

I think a lot of that was the connection between first Dick Bennett and immediately following him, Bo Ryan, with high school coaches in the State of Wisconsin.

Bennett started as a high school freshman coach in Wisconsin in 1965, and he coached in the State at every level for the next 35 years without leaving. Ryan started in Wisconsin as an assistant at some D-3 school in Racine in t he mid 70s, that I think is now defunct, and he never left for 40 years.

In the eyes of every high school coach in Wisconsin, Bennett and Ryan have had kind of an "every man" effect on these high school coaches. At one time or another every H. S. coach here has had personal contact with Bennett and/or Ryan-----camps, clinics, speaking, recruiting, networking, etc. If you're one of these high school coaches and Bennett or Ryan show a strong interest in one of your players, there's almost a spiritual or otherworldly desire to deliver the kid to the UW.


Gard has not reached, and may never reach, that cult-like status.

That all makes a lot of sense actually.

I agree with Sultan that Gard has been "good," not great. I hated Bo, but he was a great coach.

I would love it if Bucky remained "good" at basketball....in the sense that we should beat them every year, but they aren't a drain on our SOS or NET rankings.

[Lennys Tap]

I think a lot of that was the connection between first Dick Bennett and immediately following him, Bo Ryan, with high school coaches in the State of Wisconsin.

Bennett started as a high school freshman coach in Wisconsin in 1965, and he coached in the State at every level for the next 35 years without leaving. Ryan started in Wisconsin as an assistant at some D-3 school in Racine in t he mid 70s, that I think is now defunct, and he never left for 40 years.

In the eyes of every high school coach in Wisconsin, Bennett and Ryan have had kind of an "every man" effect on these high school coaches. At one time or another every H. S. coach here has had personal contact with Bennett and/or Ryan-----camps, clinics, speaking, recruiting, networking, etc. If you're one of these high school coaches and Bennett or Ryan show a strong interest in one of your players, there's almost a spiritual or otherworldly desire to deliver the kid to the UW.


Gard has not reached, and may never reach, that cult-like status.

Dribbler

Perfect summation - well done

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I think a lot of that was the connection between first Dick Bennett and immediately following him, Bo Ryan, with high school coaches in the State of Wisconsin.

Bennett started as a high school freshman coach in Wisconsin in 1965, and he coached in the State at every level for the next 35 years without leaving. Ryan started in Wisconsin as an assistant at some D-3 school in Racine in t he mid 70s, that I think is now defunct, and he never left for 40 years.

In the eyes of every high school coach in Wisconsin, Bennett and Ryan have had kind of an "every man" effect on these high school coaches. At one time or another every H. S. coach here has had personal contact with Bennett and/or Ryan-----camps, clinics, speaking, recruiting, networking, etc. If you're one of these high school coaches and Bennett or Ryan show a strong interest in one of your players, there's almost a spiritual or otherworldly desire to deliver the kid to the UW.


Gard has not reached, and may never reach, that cult-like status.

I think this is accurate, but I think you have to combine this with the reduced role of the high school coach in basketball recruiting IMO. The AAU program has been more important for awhile and I think it continues to grow in importance.

[Uncle Rico]

I think a lot of that was the connection between first Dick Bennett and immediately following him, Bo Ryan, with high school coaches in the State of Wisconsin.

Bennett started as a high school freshman coach in Wisconsin in 1965, and he coached in the State at every level for the next 35 years without leaving. Ryan started in Wisconsin as an assistant at some D-3 school in Racine in t he mid 70s, that I think is now defunct, and he never left for 40 years.

In the eyes of every high school coach in Wisconsin, Bennett and Ryan have had kind of an "every man" effect on these high school coaches. At one time or another every H. S. coach here has had personal contact with Bennett and/or Ryan-----camps, clinics, speaking, recruiting, networking, etc. If you're one of these high school coaches and Bennett or Ryan show a strong interest in one of your players, there's almost a spiritual or otherworldly desire to deliver the kid to the UW.


Gard has not reached, and may never reach, that cult-like status.

Part of it is also the assistant coaches.  Based on talking to some of the people going through the AAU/HS system with kids playing the last 8-10 years, it certainly seems the relationships aren’t strong.

It’s not that they’re bad, but I don’t get the sense they look at Madison the same way you described was once the case and part of it is on the shoulders of the assistants.

I think Chambliss was brought back to work that angle in recruiting but I’m not sure he has the relationships in the state. 

They did get Johnny Davis but I wonder how many programs were willing to bring his brother along

[bilsu]

Or, put another way, zero outright regular season B1G championships and in the first two years after inheriting Bo’s program due to his disgusting behavior, made the S16 (crap shoot) but not since

Or put it another way Gard is 2-0 vs. Shaka.

[79Warrior]

Right. Which is why I didn't say "great" or even "very good."

lol

[4everwarriors]

Kon's a winner too, hey?

[avid1010]

I think a lot of that was the connection between first Dick Bennett and immediately following him, Bo Ryan, with high school coaches in the State of Wisconsin.

Bennett started as a high school freshman coach in Wisconsin in 1965, and he coached in the State at every level for the next 35 years without leaving. Ryan started in Wisconsin as an assistant at some D-3 school in Racine in t he mid 70s, that I think is now defunct, and he never left for 40 years.

In the eyes of every high school coach in Wisconsin, Bennett and Ryan have had kind of an "every man" effect on these high school coaches. At one time or another every H. S. coach here has had personal contact with Bennett and/or Ryan-----camps, clinics, speaking, recruiting, networking, etc. If you're one of these high school coaches and Bennett or Ryan show a strong interest in one of your players, there's almost a spiritual or otherworldly desire to deliver the kid to the UW.


Gard has not reached, and may never reach, that cult-like status.

I knew a lot of HS Bball coaches for many years....nearly every one of them liked and admired Bennett.  Nearly every one of them found Bo to be an arrogant POS...though he backed it up. 

My understanding is Decker wanted MU and Buzz didn't want anything to do with him/his family...and Frank the tank developed past anyone's hopes.  Bo had to have a little luck to have the post season success he had (no different than TC with Wade), but he could coach. 

Gard is in serious trouble.  I honestly hope he remains just relevant enough to keep his job...if you have to pick a coach to recruit against in-state he is about as good as it gets for MU.

[The Lens]

I know a lot of HS coaches as well.  Many love Bo.  He always made time for the WBCA.  Never heard one coach describe him as arrogant. 

My coaching friends have by in large liked Bo, Buzz, Wojo & Shaka.  Crean (predictably) was the outlier who everyone hated.  Not hard to argue. 

[4everwarriors]

Crean sucks

[avid1010]

I know a lot of HS coaches as well.  Many love Bo.  He always made time for the WBCA.  Never heard one coach describe him as arrogant. 

My coaching friends have by in large liked Bo, Buzz, Wojo & Shaka.  Crean (predictably) was the outlier who everyone hated.  Not hard to argue.

I can't think of a single D1 HS coach who didn't laugh at his arrogance...but acknowledge his success...when he was at Platteville/UWM.   I was out of that group by the time he was at UW. I interacted with him as a player and found him to be arrogant and insincere as well.  I have a number of friends that played for him. I'm surprised by your commment...I just thought it was common belief.  He didn't make many friends in the coaching ranks with his colleagues either.

[The Lens]

I can't think of a single D1 HS coach who didn't laugh at his arrogance...but acknowledge his success...when he was at Platteville/UWM.   I was out of that group by the time he was at UW. I interacted with him as a player and found him to be arrogant and insincere as well.  I have a number of friends that played for him. I'm surprised by your commment...I just thought it was common belief.  He didn't make many friends in the coaching ranks with his colleagues either.

Bo could fake it til he made it. 

[MUDPT]

I can't think of a single D1 HS coach who didn't laugh at his arrogance...but acknowledge his success...when he was at Platteville/UWM.   I was out of that group by the time he was at UW. I interacted with him as a player and found him to be arrogant and insincere as well.  I have a number of friends that played for him. I'm surprised by your commment...I just thought it was common belief.  He didn't make many friends in the coaching ranks with his colleagues either.

Or his players, literally telling recruits not to come to Madison, during official visits

[The Lens]

Bo had the ability to convince you he was Jerry Petigue’s starting power forward on the 1964 Cuba City state runner up team. 

Gard can’t convince a recruit his first game is Greg.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I know a lot of HS coaches as well.  Many love Bo.  He always made time for the WBCA.  Never heard one coach describe him as arrogant. 

Really? Cause I know for a fact that Bo was hard to play for. When he coached that USA team of college players, nobody in that locker room like him.

And that’s straight from the mouth of one of the players on that team.

[Afroman]

I knew a lot of HS Bball coaches for many years....nearly every one of them liked and admired Bennett.  Nearly every one of them found Bo to be an arrogant POS...though he backed it up. 

My understanding is Decker wanted MU and Buzz didn't want anything to do with him/his family...and Frank the tank developed past anyone's hopes.  Bo had to have a little luck to have the post season success he had (no different than TC with Wade), but he could coach. 

Gard is in serious trouble.  I honestly hope he remains just relevant enough to keep his job...if you have to pick a coach to recruit against in-state he is about as good as it gets for MU.

My dad was a longtime HS coach in Wisconsin. He could not stand Bo Ryan. Off the top of my head, I can quickly name a half-dozen of his colleagues who also were not fans.

[Jay Bee]

My dad was a longtime HS coach in Wisconsin. He could not stand Bo Ryan. Off the top of my head, I can quickly name a half-dozen of his colleagues who also were not fans.

Your dad sounds like a good man. Eff Bo Ryan

[MUDPT]

Really? Cause I know for a fact that Bo was hard to play for. When he coached that USA team of college players, nobody in that locker room like him.

And that’s straight from the mouth of one of the players on that team.

Evan Turner averaged something like 7 minutes a game on that team and in less then a year, he was the number 2 pick in the draft.

[Jay Bee]

Evan Turner averaged something like 7 minutes a game on that team and in less then a year, he was the number 2 pick in the draft.

Gr8 draft pick hey

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Gr8 draft pick hey

Yeah, that might show that Bo is a better evaluator of talent than he's being given credit for.

[lawdog77]

Gr8 draft pick hey

That was one of the weakest draft classes ever:
1   Wizards   John Wall   PG
2.   76ers   Evan Turner   SG
3.   Nets   Derrick Favors   PF
4.   Timberwolves   Wesley Johnson   SF
5.   Kings   DeMarcus Cousins   C
6.   Warriors   Ekpe Udoh   PF
7.   Pistons   Greg Monroe   PF
8.   Clippers   Al-Farouq Aminu   SF
9.   Jazz   Gordon Hayward   SF
10.   Pacers   Paul George   SF
11.   Pelicans   Cole Aldrich   C
12.   Grizzlies   Xavier Henry   SG
13.   Raptors   Ed Davis   PF
14.   Rockets   Patrick Patterson   PF
15.   Bucks   Larry Sanders   PF
16.   Timberwolves   Luke Babbitt   SF
17.   Bulls   Kevin Seraphin   PF
18.   Thunder   Eric Bledsoe   PG
19.   Celtics   Avery Bradley   SG
20.   Spurs   James Anderson   SG
21.   Thunder   Craig Brackins   PF
22.   Trail Blazers   Elliot Williams   SG
23.   Timberwolves   Trevor Booker   PF
24.   Hawks   Damion James   SF
25.   Grizzlies   Dominique Jones   SG
26.   Thunder   Quincy Pondexter   SF
27.   Nets   Jordan Crawford   SG
28.   Grizzlies   Greivis Vasquez   SG
29.   Magic   Daniel Orton   C
30.   Wizards   Lazar Hayward   SF

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Yeah, that might show that Bo is a better evaluator of talent than he's being given credit for.

Yea and Bo absolutely was obsessed with Quincy Pondexter, it offsets.

[barfolomew]

Right. Which is why I didn't say "great" or even "very good."

Whether Gard is "great", or Gard is "good", let us thank him for our food.

[Jay Bee]

Fml, the Timberwolves upset me