Wisconsin Basketball Thread 2019 - 20: BIG TEN CHAMPS & BPI NCAA Champs!

[HiAndTight]

Shaka Smart is a nice coach, but he isn’t a great coach. I think a lot of coaches in the B12 can be judged by how they do against the likes of Kansas. Smart is always out coached by a wide margin. A lot of B12 teams can give Kansas a run for their money, but Texas...not really. Considering the recruits he has had he has done a poor job by quite a lot.

 

Watching him a lot I don’t see the interest in him.

 

 

It's tough to tell. When you come to Wisconsin, you get a different type of recruit and you usually get 4 years to work with them. He's struggled at Texas(and most teams do get badly outcoached and outmanned vs Kansas).

 

He did, however, outcoach Kansas on the biggest stage and when he was at VCU and had guys sticking around, he had a little more success.

 

I'm not a big fan of the one and done guys. Even at Wisconsin. Much for the same reason that a KD to the NYN doesn't worry me. It takes more time to put in a system, learn it and develop chemistry. That's amplified when you play less than 40 games as opposed to the 90 or so a Knicks team would play with KD.

 

I don't follow CBB near as close as others on here, so maybe the best bet would be to try to find our own Wright, Few, Stevens or someone else, but those are some pretty rare coaches. The other elite coaches either work for the elite programs or they use programs like UW as stepping stones.

 

I'll really make some fellow UW alums sick when I float this idea, but I wouldn't be against a Tom Crean hire. Again, at Indiana, he "underperformed" with some top classes, but again, with those top classes, you get guys who have one eye on the NBA and the Krabbenhoft/Davidson types, the glue guys tend to get lost in the shuffle a bit.

[HiAndTight]

 

If he didn’t leave for Marquette, I’m not sure he’ll leave for Wisconsin. He went to Texas for his wife.

 

 

No, I don't believe he'll willingly quit the job at Texas for UW. UW cannot match Texas when it comes to finances and benefits and it's not even close.

 

What I'm saying is I think he could get fired with another bad year and if the Badgers are awful with no recruits coming in, and Texas struggles again, it could lineup where he's out of a job and the Badgers have an opening.

 

But of course I find it highly unlikely he'd choose to walk away from UT for a job at UW.

[nate82]

Official now with one going to Virginia and the other to Michigan State. Not a huge loss watching both at Marquette they were nothing special.

[docduany]

It's a big loss to Gardo!

[HiAndTight]

Official now with one going to Virginia and the other to Michigan State. Not a huge loss watching both at Marquette they were nothing special.

 

 

Not a huge loss because we didn't have them. It clearly would have been a HUGE gain for us had we gotten them.

 

 

Writing it off as no big deal reminds me of when people were talking about how much Herro would fail at Kentucky and then downplaying his talent after he spurred UW for UK.

 

They're good players and the Badgers badly needed an infusion of talent.

[patrickgpe]

its funny how much Badgers fans wanted them, and now that they didn't get them,its not a "big deal" because they were nothing special at Marquette. Sam was MU's 2nd best player and Joey did win a few freshmen of the year awards in the BE. I think its true that UW was the favorite to get them so they could stay close to home and play together. The fact that they got neither and they split up, is a indication of where the UW program is and is on Gard.

[owbc]

its funny how much Badgers fans wanted them, and now that they didn't get them,its not a "big deal" because they were nothing special at Marquette. Sam was MU's 2nd best player and Joey did win a few freshmen of the year awards in the BE. I think its true that UW was the favorite to get them so they could stay close to home and play together. The fact that they got neither and they split up, is a indication of where the UW program is and is on Gard.

 

Yep. In fact I would argue this is now a bigger PR disaster for Wisconsin BB than Marquette. The fact that they split up rather than go to Wisconsin...yikes.

[patrickgpe]

its funny how much Badgers fans wanted them, and now that they didn't get them,its not a "big deal" because they were nothing special at Marquette. Sam was MU's 2nd best player and Joey did win a few freshmen of the year awards in the BE. I think its true that UW was the favorite to get them so they could stay close to home and play together. The fact that they got neither and they split up, is a indication of where the UW program is and is on Gard.

 

Yep. In fact I would argue this is now a bigger PR disaster for Wisconsin BB than Marquette. The fact that they split up rather than go to Wisconsin...yikes.

 

I don't think its much of a PR nightmare for MU. I think fans know whats up. They didn't want to play with Howard and chose to transfer. I think its very likely they stay if Howard declared.

 

* i am not saying that this doesn't suck for Marquette. They could have been one of the better teams in the country with them and now will be at best a fringe tourney team.

[tmwiese55]

Yea no way I wouldn't paint this as a blow to UW. They had everything lined up for this and somehow it didn't work out. They're good players who can legit shoot, yea UW needs more of that on the roster. no way around it.

 

This is going to be really interesting once the real story comes out. How do you commit and back out a few days later. Story being the mom didn't want them there, I just mean how wasn't that discussed before committing. Who knows the real story, I'm sure we'll hear it eventually. I'll be more than annoyed if they committed and we had to tell them 'sounds good but we need to confirm with admissions, give us a few days,' which ticked them off to do this. Doubt that's the case but we'll see.

 

Overall just a surprising turns of events all the way around. Younger commits largely due to bro. Sam/family apparently liked Woj enough 18 months ago to have Joey come there. 18 months later they don't. Seemingly want to go to same school yet somehow split because only school that can take both is UW but supposedly won't go there due to past coach not offering Sam years ago and that's disrespectful. Even though UVA and MSU didn't either and now are willing to only take one, yet somehow that's not an issue. Oh well, interesting saga. I still hope they do well other than vs UW.

Edited May 28, 2019 by tmwiese55

[wallus]

Not having the Hauser boys is a big loss for UW. You are 100% fooling yourself if you think this isn't a big deal. Gard needed to get this done and failed miserably.

[homer]

I'd be curious to know how this all went down after they left MU. Maybe some little elves will spill the beans as time goes by. Might be nothing else other than they liked MSU and VA enough to split up but might be other stuff going on too. At any rate, I'd be interested to know why neither wanted to go to UW.

[tmwiese55]

I'd be curious to know how this all went down after they left MU. Maybe some little elves will spill the beans as time goes by. Might be nothing else other than they liked MSU and VA enough to split up but might be other stuff going on too. At any rate, I'd be interested to know why neither wanted to go to UW.

 

Going into it all if they didn't consider UW I wouldn't have been surprised. I'm sure they heard BS the last few years after Joey didn't commit, plus playing for a rival and all I would get it. Not a big deal. But to have gone through the whole process and committed only to back out is odd. Wonder what happened.

[DHonks]

One thing thing that hurts is that Sam is a 3 or stretch 4. Joey wants to be a ball-handling 2 or point forward, but he was pretty terrible handling the ball. They really played the same role in the Marquette offense. Losing one doesn’t hurt MU, losing both hurts a lot! Now for Wisconsin to seemingly have this wrapped up and then somehow lose them hurts. My guess is the higher profile programs at UVA and MSU and being apart will allow them to stand out and shine a bit more than together.

[MrTPlush]

Not a huge loss...haha. arguably could/would have been the best players at Wisco in 2020 had they gone there.

 

Hopefully the guys shine now that Happ is gone...I doubt it though. Now Wisconsin will just be a team trying to get in the tourney and have their personal “championship be the second weekend.

 

Wisco’s big men suck in my opinion, but the guards are decent. Getting the Hauser brothers to go with their experienced guards could have given them one heck of a team in 2020.

[nate82]

Official now with one going to Virginia and the other to Michigan State. Not a huge loss watching both at Marquette they were nothing special.

 

 

Not a huge loss because we didn't have them. It clearly would have been a HUGE gain for us had we gotten them.

 

 

Writing it off as no big deal reminds me of when people were talking about how much Herro would fail at Kentucky and then downplaying his talent after he spurred UW for UK.

 

They're good players and the Badgers badly needed an infusion of talent.

 

They weren't game changers hence the nothing special. Herro is a special player that one hurt this one not so much. I don't think this is a huge loss as I don't believe either of them would have fit very well in the Wisconsin system. Joey Hauser wasn't a great defender and would at times disappear in the offense at Marquette it was like he wasn't even there at times.

 

When Howard was out for a bit it was the Hauser show and they just didn't impress at all. I don't see this as a huge loss as I don't think the Badgers have that good of team even with both Hauser's on the team. They would still be about average and nothing more and that is why I just don't see this being that big of a deal. I didn't really care if he was going to be on Wisconsin or not I was more leaning towards he wasn't going to be and the UW visit by them was just a see we tried but it just wasn't a fit.

 

Both of the Hauser's are going where they should be going though you could argue that Virginia and UW are about the same style wise. Joey Hauser is going to a team where he won't have to be the guy but will still get enough shots in at Michigan State. The offensive scheme and play is more suited for his style of play than it would be at Wisconsin.

[pacopete4]

These brothers sound exhausting. That being said, like others have said it could have been a program changing addition.

[monkeyman343434]

Official now with one going to Virginia and the other to Michigan State. Not a huge loss watching both at Marquette they were nothing special.

 

 

Not a huge loss because we didn't have them. It clearly would have been a HUGE gain for us had we gotten them.

 

 

Writing it off as no big deal reminds me of when people were talking about how much Herro would fail at Kentucky and then downplaying his talent after he spurred UW for UK.

 

They're good players and the Badgers badly needed an infusion of talent.

 

They weren't game changers hence the nothing special. Herro is a special player that one hurt this one not so much. I don't think this is a huge loss as I don't believe either of them would have fit very well in the Wisconsin system. Joey Hauser wasn't a great defender and would at times disappear in the offense at Marquette it was like he wasn't even there at times.

 

When Howard was out for a bit it was the Hauser show and they just didn't impress at all. I don't see this as a huge loss as I don't think the Badgers have that good of team even with both Hauser's on the team. They would still be about average and nothing more and that is why I just don't see this being that big of a deal. I didn't really care if he was going to be on Wisconsin or not I was more leaning towards he wasn't going to be and the UW visit by them was just a see we tried but it just wasn't a fit.

 

Both of the Hauser's are going where they should be going though you could argue that Virginia and UW are about the same style wise. Joey Hauser is going to a team where he won't have to be the guy but will still get enough shots in at Michigan State. The offensive scheme and play is more suited for his style of play than it would be at Wisconsin.

 

The game at Georgetown where Howard played one minute before getting hurt, Sam scored 31 points on 10/20 shooting in a 74-71 win. If that "didn't impress at all" man, you've got some lofty expectations. 14.1ppg as a soph and 14.9 ppg as a junior I guess is nothing special either.

[DHonks]

Nate82 apparently has t watched Sam for 3 years. He’s a game-changer. Good defense, post shooting, and outstanding 3pt shooting. What hindered him was the lack of MU having a ball-distributing PG after Rowsie left

[MrTPlush]

Also for those curious about “something more” I heard and have seen others mention the mother was all over them not going to Wisconsin.

 

However I question how relevant that was. I think it is just people bitter over them not going to Wisconsin.

[tmwiese55]

Strongly disagree on them not being good players like Nate mentioned. First, simply remember one was a freshman last year. Second, they'll be sitting out a year and will only get better in that time. Sam will be what a 23 year old senior playing vs 18 and 19 year olds. Joey now a Junior, there's massive room for improvement. Third, 6'8-6'9 guys who can dribble/shoot are exactly perfect fits for the UW system that needs big guys to play outside. Fourth, they essentially only have one promising big man recruit coming. They're perfect fits at for UW and fill a clear need.

 

Really if they disliked Woj this much the better move would've been to Joey come here right away then Sam redshirt and transfer. It's' over though, hope they do well. Yea the only rumored stuff is the mom is very anti UW and never got over it from Sam's first recruitment. I hope there is more to it than that but who knows. I mean, if that's the case how does Gard not pick up on that during Joey's recruitment and offer some other players.

[Samurai Bucky]

Maybe Barry can start to help building a wall around the state for basketball much the same way he did for football. I know it is apples and oranges, but a lot of talent has left the state instead of going to Madison.

[HiAndTight]

its funny how much Badgers fans wanted them, and now that they didn't get them,its not a "big deal" because they were nothing special at Marquette. Sam was MU's 2nd best player and Joey did win a few freshmen of the year awards in the BE. I think its true that UW was the favorite to get them so they could stay close to home and play together. The fact that they got neither and they split up, is a indication of where the UW program is and is on Gard.

 

Yep. In fact I would argue this is now a bigger PR disaster for Wisconsin BB than Marquette. The fact that they split up rather than go to Wisconsin...yikes.

 

I don't think its much of a PR nightmare for MU. I think fans know whats up. They didn't want to play with Howard and chose to transfer. I think its very likely they stay if Howard declared.

 

* i am not saying that this doesn't suck for Marquette. They could have been one of the better teams in the country with them and now will be at best a fringe tourney team.

 

 

I disagree. I think this is a problem for Marquette. You're talking about what the fans know, but potential recruits aren't going to follow these things as closely, they're just going to see two players at two of the top programs having success and know that they chose to split up and leave Marquette.

 

 

It's a massive blow to UW as well though and for mulitple reasons.

[HiAndTight]

Official now with one going to Virginia and the other to Michigan State. Not a huge loss watching both at Marquette they were nothing special.

 

 

Not a huge loss because we didn't have them. It clearly would have been a HUGE gain for us had we gotten them.

 

 

Writing it off as no big deal reminds me of when people were talking about how much Herro would fail at Kentucky and then downplaying his talent after he spurred UW for UK.

 

They're good players and the Badgers badly needed an infusion of talent.

 

They weren't game changers hence the nothing special. Herro is a special player that one hurt this one not so much. I don't think this is a huge loss as I don't believe either of them would have fit very well in the Wisconsin system. Joey Hauser wasn't a great defender and would at times disappear in the offense at Marquette it was like he wasn't even there at times.

 

When Howard was out for a bit it was the Hauser show and they just didn't impress at all. I don't see this as a huge loss as I don't think the Badgers have that good of team even with both Hauser's on the team. They would still be about average and nothing more and that is why I just don't see this being that big of a deal. I didn't really care if he was going to be on Wisconsin or not I was more leaning towards he wasn't going to be and the UW visit by them was just a see we tried but it just wasn't a fit.

 

Both of the Hauser's are going where they should be going though you could argue that Virginia and UW are about the same style wise. Joey Hauser is going to a team where he won't have to be the guy but will still get enough shots in at Michigan State. The offensive scheme and play is more suited for his style of play than it would be at Wisconsin.

 

 

So because in your mind they weren't potential lottery picks, it's "no big deal" to lose two guys who should have been near locks? And this is during a time in which they have VERY little talent coming in and are at a crossroads. If UW's program starts to really tank, they're going to have a helluva hard time coming back.

 

I also don't know how they don't fit UW's system. Seems like they fit it perfectly.

 

Also, the difference between them even a 6 or 7 seed in the tourney and them being "average" which would mean missing the tourney is millions of dollars.

 

There is absolutely no way this isn't a huge loss to the program and very possibly ends up being the final nail in Gard's coffin.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Hell hath no fury like a scorned NCAA fan. I'm not into the NCAA really passionately so I've always seen this from the backseat. But the vitriol people have for 17 year olds who back out of commitments is truly sickening. Badgers fans treated Diamond Stone like a pedophile for going to Maryland.

 

And there almost always ends up being a narrative about said player could never have made it academically at UW because every athlete there is a genius.

 

BUT I don't think Gard losing players he never had is the nail in his coffin. Bo Ryan, for all his legendary status, left a recruiting nightmare in his lap. His last several classes were absolutely terrible. Maybe Gard isn't the guy but I don't think the Hausers are really a reflection of him.

[HiAndTight]

Hell hath no fury like a scorned NCAA fan. I'm not into the NCAA really passionately so I've always seen this from the backseat. But the vitriol people have for 17 year olds who back out of commitments is truly sickening. Badgers fans treated Diamond Stone like a pedophile for going to Maryland.

 

And there almost always ends up being a narrative about said player could never have made it academically at UW because every athlete there is a genius.

 

BUT I don't think Gard losing players he never had is the nail in his coffin. Bo Ryan, for all his legendary status, left a recruiting nightmare in his lap. His last several classes were absolutely terrible. Maybe Gard isn't the guy but I don't think the Hausers are really a reflection of him.

 

I'm not saying that I believe because he failed to recruit the Hauser brothers he'll get fired, I just don't see much talent coming in and UW has been trending in the wrong direction for a few years now. It started when Bo left and he(Gard) did do a great job of turning that team around, but there's not much talent there and Gard was kinda forced upon Barry by Bo.

Barry wanted to do a more comprehensive search for a head coach, but after Bo resigned during the season and Gard turned the team around, it would have been pretty difficult for Barry to argue that Gard shouldn't be retained.

But my wording on that was too harsh.

 

More importantly, you're 100 pct right about how fan bases treat KIDS they're programs are recruiting. It's really just despicable. I've never seen anything on these boards that I would say is even really approaching the line, but on other platforms, these kids are attacked and really chastised for wanting to simply go out of state or follow a different path. I certainly wasn't an athlete anyone would have cared about, but as much as I loved UW and couldn't have imagined going elsewhere now, but if I was an elite athlete in a major sport and had the attention of some of these schools, I would have definitely wanted to explore what else was out there.