GBPackers47 wrote:Johnlac1 wrote:GBPackers47 wrote:
I agree that I don't see them ready to make any noise in the tournament (or even make it) this year. Definitely would be a different story with Ellenson, but can't fault a guy for taking the guaranteed millions. One and done players can be frustrating, but I think Ellenson making that move is a great recruiting tool Wojo can use, especially when recruiting within the state. For the last few years, Wisconsin has been the better basketball team in the state, but Marquette can use Ellenson, Butler, Crowder, Matthews, Wade (and I guess Novak?). Wisconsin has had some NBA success lately with Frank and Dekker being first rounders, but outside of that, I think Devin Harris is the only guy in the league from the Badgers? I haven't studied the upcoming draft too much yet, but I'm sure Hayes is projected to go somewhere which will be good for them. If Marquette can get back on track with a winning culture (and doing my best to remove bias considering I graduated from there), I think Marquette is the more attractive option in the state for players. Wisconsin is always going to be football first, and Marquette has a list of successful NBA players to go with the Jordan sponsorship (BIG DEAL AND I PRAY THEY NEVER LOSE IT), the new arena, proximity to an "NBA" team, etc.
Now to your second point, Heldt is the only other C on the roster behind Fischer. That isn't going to excite too many people, so I think it's going to be an issue next year. The one positive though is Wojo seems to put at least some attention into having a traditional C. Buzz never really recruited traditional big men and we were usually stuck with the Dwight Burkes of the world playing center. He tried dipping his toes into taller players, but generally failed with Chris Otule and Youssoupha Mbao being examples. Davante Gardner was probably the most productive center we had recently, but again, only 6'8.
I tend to agree about players going after the money if it's there. I think everybody knows that players as good as Ellenson look at college ball as prep for the pros. If the money is there, who wouldn't take it? Break a leg or something, and no millions.
Which is why I snicker at Hayes's comments about him being a poor college player. For one thing, he's getting about a $200,000 deal at Wisconsin if you look at scholarship money and prep for the pros. Plus, if he's that broke (which I doubt), he can leave now and make good money in Europe or China if he doesn't get a good NBA deal...which looks likely.
Agreed. Admittedly I don't follow Wisconsin basketball too closely, but Hayes will absolutely be able to make six figures overseas if the NBA doesn't pan out. I took a class my freshman year at Marquette that had about 15 people in it, Jimmy Butler being one of those 15. I remember asking him if he thought he should get paid to play in college and he said "absolutely not. I'm going to Marquette for free." That always stuck with me because I think that aspect is often an oversight. Basketball is one of the, if not the only, sport where you don't have to make it to the Pros in the states to still make a ton of money. Hell, I guarantee bum *** Todd Mayo is making six figures somewhere.
There is this guy named Michael Finley too, he was pretty good I heard.
