Article on Jamil Wilson's recruitment

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080424/OPINION03/804240305

[mviale]

doesnt look good for us

[ChicosBailBonds]

doesnt look good for us

I'm sure Buzz will save the day

[muguru]

doesnt look good for us

What in the hell did you take from that article that makes you say "doesn't look good for us"?? Did you ever stop to think that this is a kid that wants to make sure he sees all the schools he's going to visit to make sure he makes the right decision?? Or what about the fact that he isn't going to take an official to MU because you are only allowed so many visits and he's been to MU so many times in the past that he doesn't want to waste an official on going somewhere he has already been too numerous times?? 

Or maybe it's because he has a strong desire to stay close to home??

Geez, just relax people. MU is still a VERY viable option for Jamil and everyone else is playing catch up to MU right now.

[nyg]

Lets see how Korie Lucious likes sitting on the bench, subbing for Kalin Lucas all next year.  Then tells Wilson how great it is.  My worry is UCLA and it's beautiful campus, weather, playing time and cheerleaders.

[ecompt]

maybe we should send him that story about how likely it is that California is going to get hit with a big quake in the next 35 years.

[3Mer]

What in the hell did you take from that article that makes you say "doesn't look good for us"?? Did you ever stop to think that this is a kid that wants to make sure he sees all the schools he's going to visit to make sure he makes the right decision?? Or what about the fact that he isn't going to take an official to MU because you are only allowed so many visits and he's been to MU so many times in the past that he doesn't want to waste an official on going somewhere he has already been too numerous times?? 

Or maybe it's because he has a strong desire to stay close to home??

Geez, just relax people. MU is still a VERY viable option for Jamil and everyone else is playing catch up to MU right now.

Move along people -- nothing to see here! 

Just because Crean bolted for Indiana [which is now an "option"] and MU scoured the country in order to land Buzz Williams [who?] doesn't mean there's any reason to be concerned that Wilson is also being recruited by the likes of Izzo, Ryan, Self, et al.

Just another reason to scratch our collective heads over MU's decision to hire the lowest profile coach available.

[NCMUFan]

As much as I would like to see Jamil Wilson come to Marquette, I have to feel a lot of folks are just setting themselves up to be disappointed like Shumpert.

[StillAWarrior]

Not going to be a popular opinion on here, but...

It appears that Wilson's father will be very involved in his decision.  Clearly, this kid has NBA potential.  If this was your kid, what in Buzz's experience would give you the confidence to entrust your son to Buzz?  Absolutely, nothing that I can see.  Sure, we've got great facilities, play in a great conference and get on TV a lot.  But we've got a coach who can only describe his style of basketball as "winning."  If one of my top concerns was making sure someone prepared my son for the NBA, I would not send him to play for Buzz -- at least not yet.  Thank goodness Wilson has said he won't choose until the spring of 2009.  By then, at least, Buzz will have a body of coaching work to point to.

But, if I'm a betting man (and I am), I'd bet heavily on Wilson ending up with a coach who has coached and developed players who went on to the NBA (and I'm not counting Buzz's time next year with DJ or JM).  Any takers on that bet?

Prove me wrong, Buzz.  Please prove me wrong.

[4everwarriors]

As much as I would like to see Jamil Wilson come to Marquette, I have to feel a lot of folks are just setting themselves up to be disappointed like Shumpert.
[/quote

Marquette's recruiting of Wilson won't get as close as Shumpert's. IMO, Jamil will commit to an elite out-of-state program with MU not even in his top five.

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

Not going to be a popular opinion on here, but...

It appears that Wilson's father will be very involved in his decision.  Clearly, this kid has NBA potential.  If this was your kid, what in Buzz's experience would give you the confidence to entrust your son to Buzz?  Absolutely, nothing that I can see.  Sure, we've got great facilities, play in a great conference and get on TV a lot.  But we've got a coach who can only describe his style of basketball as "winning."  If one of my top concerns was making sure someone prepared my son for the NBA, I would not send him to play for Buzz -- at least not yet.  Thank goodness Wilson has said he won't choose until the spring of 2009.  By then, at least, Buzz will have a body of coaching work to point to.

But, if I'm a betting man (and I am), I'd bet heavily on Wilson ending up with a coach who has coached and developed players who went on to the NBA (and I'm not counting Buzz's time next year with DJ or JM).  Any takers on that bet?

Prove me wrong, Buzz.  Please prove me wrong.

The saving grace of that could be playing for the local team that gets heavy pub in the Big East and coming in to "carry" Buzz Williams (similar to the perception of another playing carrying a coach earlier this century). Of course, you can be average at MSU and still get looks whereas he could be great at MU and still be considered a so-so prospect.

Coaching NBA players isn't a surefire criteria. Look at Tom Crean. Dominic James committed to him because he knew that Crean had coached a couple NBA guards and that Crean would do all he could to get James into the league. Other then attempting to push him out of the door I'm not sure Crean had done anything to help James' NBA potential.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Not going to be a popular opinion on here, but...

It appears that Wilson's father will be very involved in his decision.  Clearly, this kid has NBA potential.  If this was your kid, what in Buzz's experience would give you the confidence to entrust your son to Buzz?  Absolutely, nothing that I can see.  Sure, we've got great facilities, play in a great conference and get on TV a lot.  But we've got a coach who can only describe his style of basketball as "winning."  If one of my top concerns was making sure someone prepared my son for the NBA, I would not send him to play for Buzz -- at least not yet.  Thank goodness Wilson has said he won't choose until the spring of 2009.  By then, at least, Buzz will have a body of coaching work to point to.

But, if I'm a betting man (and I am), I'd bet heavily on Wilson ending up with a coach who has coached and developed players who went on to the NBA (and I'm not counting Buzz's time next year with DJ or JM).  Any takers on that bet?

Prove me wrong, Buzz.  Please prove me wrong.

+1

[BrewCity83]

"(Not hearing from Michigan State for a while) is not really a big deal. Actually, it shows me what kind of person Tom Izzo is and how much respect he has for other people. In order to earn respect you have to give respect. That just shows me what kind of person he is off of the court. He actually cares for other people."

If that is his criteria, we won't have to worry about him going to Indiana.

[Big Papi]

Not going to be a popular opinion on here, but...

It appears that Wilson's father will be very involved in his decision.  Clearly, this kid has NBA potential.  If this was your kid, what in Buzz's experience would give you the confidence to entrust your son to Buzz?  Absolutely, nothing that I can see.  Sure, we've got great facilities, play in a great conference and get on TV a lot.  But we've got a coach who can only describe his style of basketball as "winning."  If one of my top concerns was making sure someone prepared my son for the NBA, I would not send him to play for Buzz -- at least not yet.  Thank goodness Wilson has said he won't choose until the spring of 2009.  By then, at least, Buzz will have a body of coaching work to point to.

But, if I'm a betting man (and I am), I'd bet heavily on Wilson ending up with a coach who has coached and developed players who went on to the NBA (and I'm not counting Buzz's time next year with DJ or JM).  Any takers on that bet?

Prove me wrong, Buzz.  Please prove me wrong.

Doesn't look like Erik Williams is bothered by it one bit.  

Yes I guess if the one and only factor the kid and family will take into account is getting prepared for the NBA then there are probably better options but I find it hard to believe anyone only looks at one factor.  If the kid has phenomenal talent, the kid has phenomenal talent and will make it to the NBA regardless of who is coaching him, i.e. Frank Martin.  

I think MU offers a lot of benefits, great conference, great facilities, close to home which is huge if he actually has a close family and I believe that Buzz has a great personality that wins over a lot of people.  Frankly no one knows what Jamil and family are going to base their decision on but I will say that if I was a betting man I'd bet on Wilson seriously considering MU.

[jce]

Not going to be a popular opinion on here, but...

It appears that Wilson's father will be very involved in his decision.  Clearly, this kid has NBA potential.  If this was your kid, what in Buzz's experience would give you the confidence to entrust your son to Buzz?  Absolutely, nothing that I can see.  Sure, we've got great facilities, play in a great conference and get on TV a lot.  But we've got a coach who can only describe his style of basketball as "winning."  If one of my top concerns was making sure someone prepared my son for the NBA, I would not send him to play for Buzz -- at least not yet.  Thank goodness Wilson has said he won't choose until the spring of 2009.  By then, at least, Buzz will have a body of coaching work to point to.

But, if I'm a betting man (and I am), I'd bet heavily on Wilson ending up with a coach who has coached and developed players who went on to the NBA (and I'm not counting Buzz's time next year with DJ or JM).  Any takers on that bet?

Prove me wrong, Buzz.  Please prove me wrong.

Unfortunately, I think you are probably correct.  Everything I have heard about him has been very positive.  He father played at UW-Whitewater in the 80s, and maybe even in Europe for a couple of years.  So whatever choice he makes will be an informed one.

[StillAWarrior]

Doesn't look like Erik Williams is bothered by it one bit.  

Yes I guess if the one and only factor the kid and family will take into account is getting prepared for the NBA then there are probably better options but I find it hard to believe anyone only looks at one factor.  If the kid has phenomenal talent, the kid has phenomenal talent and will make it to the NBA regardless of who is coaching him, i.e. Frank Martin.  

I think MU offers a lot of benefits, great conference, great facilities, close to home which is huge if he actually has a close family and I believe that Buzz has a great personality that wins over a lot of people.  Frankly no one knows what Jamil and family are going to base their decision on but I will say that if I was a betting man I'd bet on Wilson seriously considering MU.

Honestly, I agree with pretty much everything you said.

On Erik Williams -- can't disagree.  Fortunately, EW already had a very strong relationship with Buzz.  Surely that helped.  I hope Buzz has a great relationship with Wilson.

One thing about your comment, though is that even if NBA preparation is not the one and only factor, it could hurt us.  Let's be honest here.  It's not like the competition is between Marquette with its wonderful facilities, great conference, etc. (but an inexperienced coach) versus other schools with horrible facilities, conferences and experienced coaches.  Wilson is a five-star, elite recruit.  When it's all said and done, most of the other schools competing for his services will have a lot to offer in terms of facilities, reputations, etc.  It's not like he'll be choosing between Buzz Williams and the taj majal of facilities and Tom Izzo (or Bill Self, Thad Matta, etc.) and some dumpy high school gym.  Sure, our facilities are among the very best, but other programs have some decent facilities too.  Even if he's considering multiple factors (facilities, conference, etc) other high-major programs have a lot to offer.  So, as long as experience coaching/developing NBA talent is one important criteria (as opposed to the one and only criteria as you suggested), we might suffer by comparison.

But, we are one of the few programs that are close to home.  I hope that is an important factor for him.  I really hope Buzz can win him over.  I don't doubt that he'll seriously consider MU.  I just doubt he'll accept.

For the record, even when Crean was around, I was not terribly optimistic that Wilson would come to Marquette.  I've always thought that he'll end up at one of the very top programs.  I'm not blaming Buzz for this.

[ChicosBailBonds]

To your point Stillawarrior, facilities at these other schools are very good too, and some are getting better.

IU's facilities are about to become some of the very best as well.  They are getting a brand new practice facility...ground was broken in the Summer of 2007.




Assembly Hall is also going bye bye.  The 35 year old facility, which was a dump when I was there years ago, is going to be replaced.  Estimated cost of $130million to $160million though the timetable is a long way off.


The arms race continues.

[Pakuni]

But, if I'm a betting man (and I am), I'd bet heavily on Wilson ending up with a coach who has coached and developed players who went on to the NBA (and I'm not counting Buzz's time next year with DJ or JM).  Any takers on that bet?

Prove me wrong, Buzz.  Please prove me wrong.

Buzz coached Acie Law and Antoine Wright at Texas A&M. In fact, I'd say Wilson seems very much like an Antoine Wright-type player.

Or does only head-coaching experience count?

[muchalktalk]

Based on the article, I wonder if Crean didn't recruit Michigan hard because he and Izzo didn't want to compete for recruits.  Although, didn't James visit Michigan State?

[StillAWarrior]

Buzz coached Acie Law and Antoine Wright at Texas A&M. In fact, I'd say Wilson seems very much like an Antoine Wright-type player.

Or does only head-coaching experience count?

Nope, any coaching experience counts.  But, if it was my son and I one of the factors I was considering highly was experience coaching/developing NBA talent, Buzz would certainly suffer in comparison to many, many other coaches.

Listen, I'm not saying this to rip Buzz.  I think he'll be a good coach and I'm very excited about the future.  A bit nervous, but excited.  But let's not kid ourselves.  If this is an important consideration for the Wilson family (and I have absolutely no idea if it is), then Buzz is facing a major obstacle in recruiting Jamil.  Frankly, I think Crean would have a hard time landing him if this is a major factor.

[Pakuni]

Based on the article, I wonder if Crean didn't recruit Michigan hard because he and Izzo didn't want to compete for recruits.  Although, didn't James visit Michigan State?

Crean and Izzo went head to head on many recruits, with Izzo almost always winning, i.e. Chris Hill, Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, Maurice Joseph.

[Pakuni]

Nope, any coaching experience counts.  But, if it was my son and I one of the factors I was considering highly was experience coaching/developing NBA talent, Buzz would certainly suffer in comparison to many, many other coaches.

Listen, I'm not saying this to rip Buzz.  I think he'll be a good coach and I'm very excited about the future.  A bit nervous, but excited.  But let's not kid ourselves.  If this is an important consideration for the Wilson family (and I have absolutely no idea if it is), then Buzz is facing a major obstacle in recruiting Jamil.  Frankly, I think Crean would have a hard time landing him if this is a major factor.

I don't think you're ripping Buzz and I understand exactly what you're saying. Certainly that could work against him.
I'm just pointing out that he has worked with NBA players, though obviously his experience in that regard pales in comparison with some others recruiting Wilson.

[dwaderoy2004]

Crean and Izzo went head to head on many recruits, with Izzo almost always winning, i.e. Chris Hill, Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, Maurice Joseph.

don't forget korie lucious

[ChicosBailBonds]

Jeff Strohm worked with NBA players, too.  It doesn't mean it translates as well.  There's a difference, at least in perception, of being the captain of the ship working with those players vs being an assistant.

[Big Papi]

Honestly, I agree with pretty much everything you said.

On Erik Williams -- can't disagree.  Fortunately, EW already had a very strong relationship with Buzz.  Surely that helped.  I hope Buzz has a great relationship with Wilson.

One thing about your comment, though is that even if NBA preparation is not the one and only factor, it could hurt us.  Let's be honest here.  It's not like the competition is between Marquette with its wonderful facilities, great conference, etc. (but an inexperienced coach) versus other schools with horrible facilities, conferences and experienced coaches.  Wilson is a five-star, elite recruit.  When it's all said and done, most of the other schools competing for his services will have a lot to offer in terms of facilities, reputations, etc.  It's not like he'll be choosing between Buzz Williams and the taj majal of facilities and Tom Izzo (or Bill Self, Thad Matta, etc.) and some dumpy high school gym.  Sure, our facilities are among the very best, but other programs have some decent facilities too.  Even if he's considering multiple factors (facilities, conference, etc) other high-major programs have a lot to offer.  So, as long as experience coaching/developing NBA talent is one important criteria (as opposed to the one and only criteria as you suggested), we might suffer by comparison.

But, we are one of the few programs that are close to home.  I hope that is an important factor for him.  I really hope Buzz can win him over.  I don't doubt that he'll seriously consider MU.  I just doubt he'll accept.

For the record, even when Crean was around, I was not terribly optimistic that Wilson would come to Marquette.  I've always thought that he'll end up at one of the very top programs.  I'm not blaming Buzz for this.

I understand what your saying and it will be interesting to see what happens but I really do believe that up until TC left, we were Jamil's leader so I do feel that we still have a decent shot.  Playing close to home especially when you have a close knit family is a huge factor and I think Buzz is a good enough recruiter to push us back on top.  Having a year left before Jamil announces his decision will help a lot.