Thoughts on Buzz's Recruiting Strategy for '09

[bleedbluegold03]

Over the past few weeks I think it is a fair assumption that we all as Warrior fans have taken numerous blows to the gut regarding our basketball team: the loss of Crean, the backing out of Williams and Taylor (Williams going to IU salt on the wound), Jerel declaring (most expected it), and more recently the loss of Hibbert and Creeks to IU . Taking into aspects the situation of Marquette as of today I have a strategy for Buzz in '09.

Over the past few years Crean has developed the ability to pull kids in from across the nation with the publicity offered in 2003 by Wade and the Final Four appearance. I think that it is far to assume that the press garnered from the accomplishment, although not completely lossed with Crean's departure, has been vastly tinted as we get farther away from the magical year. Looking towards next year with a realistic eye we should finish in the middle of the Big East behind Georgetown, Louisville, Connecticut, Notre Dame, West Virginia, and Villanova.

My suggestion for the upcoming year is for Buzz Williams to shift to a more conservative approach with recruits. Although Marquette was on the brink of becoming a nationwide school (well maybe a school focused on Texas, New York, Chicago, and Wisconsin), I think it is imperative for Buzz to understand that he no longer has that appeal to eighteen year old men. It is obvious by the last few weeks that the major pull for kids coming to Marquette from across the nation was to play under Tom Crean, the guy who taught Wade. With Crean being gone I think that it would be foolish for Buzz to think that he can stand with bigger name schools with no track record or major incentives to come to Marquette (I know but we're in the big east, we have a good practice facility, we'll have playing time in 2009 - I agree with that one at least - but don't most schools have that and a good coach?).

If Buzz wants to get any of the recruits from the 2009 class he needs to stay within the State and focus on the very talented class in his own back yard. Right now Marquette is looking at Jamil Wilson, Johnnie Lacy, and Jeronne Maymon to name a few from Wisconsin. With Madison having most of its scholarships given out and MU offering four spots on a team with plenty of playing time Buzz has alot to offer kids who live in the state.

If it was up to me personally I would have an assistant coach or somebody at every basketball game Jamil Wilson plays in next year and Buzz should personally talk with Wilson on the phone or in person on a consitant basis. If he is half as good as they say he is he will quiet the critics who have risen since Creans departure. Does that seem a little extreme? Sure. But name the last five star recruit Marquette was able to get from inside the state. Moving on to Johnnie Lacy he shows an athleticism with small size drawing parallels to a certain Dominic James (o and he has a better three ball). Yes Jeronne Maymon plays the same position as Lazar and possibly Jamil but he is showing interest in Marquette and at this point any addition would be welcomed.

I think the only recruit that this idea doesn't apply for is Donte Hill. Right now Hill remains under the radar as a big shooting guard that will grow into a big name in the upcoming months. Marquette is the early favorite for this 6-3 guard and we offer a place where he can come in and play right away.

So lets take a few assumptions with my strategy. Being honest with ourselves Jamil will probably chose someone else (although i think my idea gives the best chance of us keeping him here). Lacy appears to have Marquette at the top of the list and I don't see him as that much of a reach being in Milwaukee. If Wilson commits elsewhere I see no reason why Marmon would not want to stay close to family and play great minutes right away at Marquette. Lastly I think we have a fairly decent chance at landing Hill if he manages to stay under the radar enough because if a bigger team comes in I think he is as good as gone (the only other real competition at this point is Clemson). With this idea we could land two four star prospects and a rising three star with a possible scholarship left over for another big man.

The product of the '09 recruiting class would give us a roster of

PG- Johnnie Lacy (s), Maurice Aker, David Cube
SG- Donte Hill (s), Jimmy Butler
SF- Erik Williams(s), Joseph Fulce
PF- Lazar Hayward(s), Jeronne Maymon
C- Chris Otule(s), Trevor M

Honestly that lineup reminds me alot of four years ago with three four star prospects entering and a really good Senior leading the charge for one year. This would make us one of youngest teams in the league but we would also be able to reload with three more scholarships for the '10 recruiting class (which also looks promising with Madison having already given away all of their scholarships).

If Buzz wishes to establish himself in a extremely competitive conference to recruits he first must prove to be able to effectively recruit in his own state. Yes we are also big in Chicago but I believe that Buzz has a fresh start to set precedence in being able to get instate talent and not letting it go to Madison or out of state.

Well I'm done ranting now. What are you thoughts on this idea?

[Skatastrophy]

I think it is imperative for Buzz to understand that he no longer has that appeal to eighteen year old men.

...wtf

While it's worthwhile to recruit kids from in-state, I think that you're underestimate our exposure via televised Big East games outside of the Midwest.  I think that it would be a mistake to stop trying to recruit in traditional BE states just because we don't have Crean and we're another year past our 2003 success. 

[bleedbluegold03]

if we attempt to give our time and efforts to talent outside of the state i still believe that we need to focus hard on Wisconsin. If someone is really interested in coming here from out of state, fine. But if we continue to look for outside talent to rescue the program I just see it ending with recruits signing with bigger schools in better situations. That doesn't mean drop out of state alltogether but we do need to curb it substantially

[THEGYMBAR]

bleedbluegold---Keep talking, I like how you think. If that can be accomplished Buzz delivered the goods.

[bma725]

Lacy is going to have real problems qualifying as a 2009 kid unless he pulls off of a miraculous turnaround this year.  More than likely, he reclassifies as a 2010 kid to get the academics in order, or maybe even goes to a JUCO.

[bleedbluegold03]

bma, where is the proof of your statement. Yes i have heard he is having academic issues but nothing even close to him being unable to graduate and moving back to the 2010 class or Juco.

[bma725]

bma, where is the proof of your statement. Yes i have heard he is having academic issues but nothing even close to him being unable to graduate and moving back to the 2010 class or Juco.

Mark Miller in the past has talked about him maybe needing to reclassify as a 2010, and around Bay View have been talking about him having to go the same route as his former teammate Dwight Buycks and go to a JUCO.  Even his coach has talked about how there are still doubts about his ability to qualify.

This is nothing new btw, people have been saying this about Lacy for 2 years, but now that it's close to commitment time he's really go to get it together.

[bleedbluegold03]

thanks for verifying your source. I hope you didn't take it as me attacking you

[77ncaachamps]

I say he taps his assistants and have them recruit their region of specialty and get the best talent available:

Benford - South and West
Collins - NY and East
Layer - Mountain?

And why does the MUWiki have Scott Monarch as an asst.? He's not listed on MU's site.

[bleedbluegold03]

I say he taps his assistants and have them recruit their region of specialty and get the best talent available

So you dissagree? Who actually looks like a realistic option from those "regions?"

[MUinOH]

Looking towards next year with a realistic eye we should finish in the middle of the Big East behind Georgetown, Louisville, Connecticut, Notre Dame, West Virginia, and Villanova.

I'd call that a pessimistic eye.

[bleedbluegold03]

Out of those people who do you realistically see us beating next year then? You should offer explaination to your claim rather than just bash other people

[MUFan71]

BTW, it looks like Scott Monarch, who's name did not come up in Rosiak's blog, might be the director of basketball operations

[77ncaachamps]

So you dissagree? Who actually looks like a realistic option from those "regions?"

I mildly disagree. I think those regional options are fine. Remember the article about Otule: There were more D-I signees out of Houston than Chicago, NY or LA. Some number like 47. The Big East is basketball heaven. It's time we tap ALL regions for talent.

Do I know who those kids are? No. But since Seltzer had some contacts as an MU assistant, I expect our assistants to have similar contacts with previous recruits.

Lastly, I think Crean is not the magnet for these recruits; it's a combination of both: Wade's ex-coach and INDIANA. Well, because "It's Indiana. It's Indiana." And because it's Indiana, Crean's gonna get some more special players he couldn't get to MU.

Again, it's not all Crean.

[bleedbluegold03]

None of our assistant came from big named schools though. While i respect your opinion I agree to disagree with the idea that Marquette can beat out a Louisville, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Villanova, or Pittsburg for recruits. I dont think it will happen

[MUinOH]

Out of those people who do you realistically see us beating next year then? You should offer explaination to your claim rather than just bash other people

Okay.  You have MU finishing 7th.  We finished tied for 6th last year, and we've got our best players coming back for their senior year.  The conference will be tougher, but so will we.  I would think we could realistically finish in the top 5.  As far as who we could beat: Notre Dame and UConn.

[jce]

if we attempt to give our time and efforts to talent outside of the state i still believe that we need to focus hard on Wisconsin.

I'm sorry, but you will never win big with this strategy.  UW will win most of these battles as shown recently.  And frankly, even if we split 50/50, that isn't enough talent.  Hell, even if we land Wilson, Maymon and Lacy, that may not be enough to field a Final Four team.  And in 2010, there is basically one major D1 prospect left - Flavien Davis - and who really knows how good he is.

Marquette has to be a big player in Chicago and recruit where you can get the talent.  McGuire pulled kids here from all over and kicked UW regularly.  You can still win with that strategy.

[MUFan71]

I agree with ncaa77champs about recruiting all regions. As far as our assistants are concerned they are from smaller schools except for Nebraska and may need to up the talent for the Big East.

[bleedbluegold03]

I'm sorry, but you will never win big with this strategy.  UW will win most of these battles as shown recently.  And frankly, even if we split 50/50, that isn't enough talent.  Hell, even if we land Wilson, Maymon and Lacy, that may not be enough to field a Final Four team.  And in 2010, there is basically one major D1 prospect left - Flavien Davis - and who really knows how good he is.

Marquette has to be a big player in Chicago and recruit where you can get the talent.  McGuire pulled kids here from all over and kicked UW regularly.  You can still win with that strategy.

People are not thinking clearly if they expect Marquette to "win big" in the near future. It will not happen. The coaching change set us back five to ten years with recruits and progression as a program. If we still are operating under the idea we are a border elite program than we are living in a fairy world. Right now we are a consitant middle of the road team.

Your statement also poses the question as to why we are ok to losing to Madison with regards to getting instate talent. In recent years Crean was able to land Diener, Novak, and Matthews but for the most part Marquette consistantly loses to Madison as previously stated. Why are we ok with that?

my idea is a suggestion only for the '09 recruiting class. We need to "regroup" at home. In no way am I suggesting that we stop recruiting the Big East Country or Chicago all together in the long run. My opinion is with an unproven, promoted assistant coach for the head guy at a program, few out of state kids will want to play for him. Plain and simple. Work with kids who already have incentive to go to Marquette because it is closer to home and we have easy access to.

Did you read my statement? Madison has one scholarship left. This leaves the state more or less wide open for Marquette to land a few instate recruits and hopefully set a new precident within the state.

And no where did i state that landing lacy, wilson, maymon would get us to the final four. Honestly I don't see us back their for at least seven to ten years down the road IF we can regroup under Buzz.

[bleedbluegold03]

 The conference will be tougher, but so will we.  I would think we could realistically finish in the top 5.  As far as who we could beat: Notre Dame and UConn.

First Marquette did not have the recruiting year any of the other Big East teams had. While we regrouped with a new coach other people got alot stronger with talent. If you check early predictions for top 25 next year most people have UConn in the top 5 so I dont see your reasoning with that. In regards to Norte Dame that is alot more possible but once again they have a good recruiting class and have Hansbrough's little brother transfering next year.

[bma725]

BTW, it looks like Scott Monarch, who's name did not come up in Rosiak's blog, might be the director of basketball operations

He may be on staff, but the Director of Ops seems to be Brad Autry, who has been at assistant at Baylor, Tulsa, Central Oklahoma and Arkansas Little Rock.

He hasn't been announced, but the Houston high school hoops site that people looked at during the year for updates on Otule and Williams  said that he was coming, and if you look at the MU directory on line he's listed as director of BB ops.

If Monarch is actually on staff, he may take Barone's old job, or they may come up with some other title for him like Assistant Coach for Player Development.

[spartan3186]

First Marquette did not have the recruiting year any of the other Big East teams had. While we regrouped with a new coach other people got alot stronger with talent. If you check early predictions for top 25 next year most people have UConn in the top 5 so I dont see your reasoning with that. In regards to Norte Dame that is alot more possible but once again they have a good recruiting class and have Hansbrough's little brother transfering next year.

Transfers have to sit out a year, Ben does them no good next year. He basically just eats a schollie for a year.

[77ncaachamps]

First Marquette did not have the recruiting year any of the other Big East teams had. While we regrouped with a new coach other people got alot stronger with talent. If you check early predictions for top 25 next year most people have UConn in the top 5 so I dont see your reasoning with that. In regards to Norte Dame that is alot more possible but once again they have a good recruiting class and have Hansbrough's little brother transfering next year.

I do agree with defending the "home ground and backyard" (read: WI and IL).

However, many other BE schools are situated in more hoops hotbeds than MU is:

Fla - South Florida (but yeah right!)
IL - DePaul/Notre Dame
IN - ND/Cincy
KY - Louisville/Cincy
Northeast and Prepville - Providence/UConn/Cuse
NY/NJ - St. John's/Rutgers/Seton Hall/Cuse
Ohio - Cincy/Pittsburgh
Phila - Nova
Pitt - Pittsburgh
WV/VA - WVU

Wisconsin is crazy for hoops, but it's tough to field an elite D-I team just depending on WI recruits. You'd need top tier IL recruits as well as many others.

[bleedbluegold03]

in almost any other year i completely agree with you, Wisconsin will not have a good enough class to focus on this state alone. I believe this year is the exception though. With Lacy, Mormon, and an outside chance of Wilson I think that should be the bulk of our focus along with Donte Hill.

Doesn't Wisconsin recruit almost completely out of Wisconsin and Chicago though? I know that history tells us that Marquette does this as well and both have had relative success. Looking past '09 to '10 and beyond I agree that we should expand our horizons even further. From the graph you gave it is easy to see that the south is being pourly represented in the Big East, hopefully something Marquette can change in the coming years.

Like this post states though, we will not get any legit outside talent until  Buzz has a year of coaching under his belt and something to back up what he is selling. Staying instate FOR ONLY '09 is our best bet at this point.

[rocky_warrior]

And why does the MUWiki have Scott Monarch as an asst.? He's not listed on MU's site.

I added that based on this quote in the Tyler JC's news article about Butler being signed:

Joseph Fulce signed in November, and TJC assistant coach Scott Monarch will be joining the Golden Eagles staff under new head coach Buzz Williams. The two coaches were together one season at the University of New Orleans (2006-07).

I may have jumped the gun, but it *seemed* like a reliable source.  Here's the link:
http://www.apacheathletics.com/article/458.php

Based on recent news, he's definitely not an "assistant coach", but he may be at MU in some regard.