Wisconsin catches Reuvers on the right night
Interim head coach Greg Gard and assistant Lamont Paris took a short flight to Minnesota on Friday night in order to watch 2017 forward Nathan Reuvers. And after scoring 21 points and grabbing five rebounds, Gard elected to offer the 6-foot-10, 200-pound junior from Lakeville North.
According to those in attendance, Reuvers had a truly special night and he did it against 2019 big Matthew Hurt, who projects as one of the top prospects in his class, nationally. Friday’s performance showed just how far Reuvers has came after spending some time on the junior varsity squad as a sophomore. “Night and day,” according to a source.
So where does Wisconsin stand in his recruitment after the offer? According to a source, UW and Creighton are the top two contenders, with Reuvers aware of just how well he fits into the Badgers’ style of play. Those who follow him closely have thrown around the comparison to former Wisconsin standout Jon Leuer for his size and skill-set.
Here’s the big thing to watch in his recruitment, though. Should Notre Dame offer Reuvers, this is a done deal. Not give me some time to think about, not talk it over with my parents to make sure; it’s a done deal. Reuvers’ father and mother both graduated from the university and it’s very much a dream for him to follow their path. An Irish assistant watched Reuvers this season and he’s certainly on their radar. Notre Dame does not have a commitment in the 2017 class.
What about the in-state Gophers? Well, they’re tight on scholarships but a source indicated they’ll be “making some room” in the near future. The same source said he expected Minnesota to offer, but that it will trail Wisconsin for his services. The Badgers created a good deal of distance by offering early, I’m told.
Reuvers plans to play with D1 Minnesota this spring and summer, a program Gard is certainly familiar with. A timetable for a decision is not in play just yet and it’s expected Reuvers will play out the AAU season before narrowing his focus.
Hauser will play with an Iowa-based AAU team
Joey Hauser, the top in-state prospect in the 2018 class, will play this offseason with the Iowa Barnstormers. According to Barnstormers coach K.C. Schmitt, it was a good fit for Hauser, who played last year with his brother, Sam, and Wisconsin Academy.
“He's friends with AJ Green (2018 point guard) from when AJ lived in Wisconsin,” Schmitt siad. “Our squad needed a stretch 4 and Joey needed a good team to play with for two years. When you step back and watch us play it will make sense.”
Hauser’s father, Dave, will also help coach the team. The last player Wisconsin landed from the Barnstormers was Jarrod Uthoff, who transferred after one year to Iowa.
With Gard set to take over the Badgers on a permanent basis, we’re told by a number of people that Wisconsin is a major player in Hauser’s recruitment, some even labeling them the leader at this early stage.
Herro “relieved”
One prospect Gard has struck up a particularly strong relationship with is in-state guard Tyler Herro, the first player to receive an offer after Bo Ryan stepped down. I was able to attend Whitnall’s win against Pewaukee on Friday and the impending news surrounding Gard was described as a “relief” to someone close to Herro’s recruitment.
Marquette is a big player for the three-star shooting guard and this offseason is sure to bring more offers. But there’s a very good chance Wisconsin comes out on top for Herro when it’s all said and done.
In-state tracker
*Arkansas and former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema offered the top in-state prospect in the 2017 class, Tyler Beach. It’s possible the four-star prospect could make his final decision early this summer.
Pro Day set for Wednesday
The following players are expected to attend Wisconsin’s Pro Day:
Odds and Ends
*Way, way down the road, but keep on eye on 2019 quarterback Michael Lowery, the son of former Wisconsin quarterback Tony Lowery.
"I like their offense. They run a pro-style offense and being in a pro-style offense in college can help you in the Pros. (The interest in Wisconsin) it's not necessarily because my dad went there, but he has told me that it is a nice campus and everything."
*A.J. Dillon, a four-star running back who will visit Wisconsin at the end of the month, plans to trim his list to five in early April. The Badgers will need a strong visit to crack that group.
*According to a source, the door is not completely shut on potential Hawaii transfer Nick Nelson, a sophomore cornerback. Not much more is known about that situation, though.
*Assistant coach Gary Close watched 2019 forward Nobal Days on Friday night. The 6-foot-9 freshman is regarded as the top in-state prospect in his class.
*Wisconsin running back target J.K. Dobbins committed to Ohio State on Sunday.
*Former UW safety Jay Valai has taken defensive quality control position with Georgia.
Interim head coach Greg Gard and assistant Lamont Paris took a short flight to Minnesota on Friday night in order to watch 2017 forward Nathan Reuvers. And after scoring 21 points and grabbing five rebounds, Gard elected to offer the 6-foot-10, 200-pound junior from Lakeville North.
According to those in attendance, Reuvers had a truly special night and he did it against 2019 big Matthew Hurt, who projects as one of the top prospects in his class, nationally. Friday’s performance showed just how far Reuvers has came after spending some time on the junior varsity squad as a sophomore. “Night and day,” according to a source.
So where does Wisconsin stand in his recruitment after the offer? According to a source, UW and Creighton are the top two contenders, with Reuvers aware of just how well he fits into the Badgers’ style of play. Those who follow him closely have thrown around the comparison to former Wisconsin standout Jon Leuer for his size and skill-set.
Here’s the big thing to watch in his recruitment, though. Should Notre Dame offer Reuvers, this is a done deal. Not give me some time to think about, not talk it over with my parents to make sure; it’s a done deal. Reuvers’ father and mother both graduated from the university and it’s very much a dream for him to follow their path. An Irish assistant watched Reuvers this season and he’s certainly on their radar. Notre Dame does not have a commitment in the 2017 class.
What about the in-state Gophers? Well, they’re tight on scholarships but a source indicated they’ll be “making some room” in the near future. The same source said he expected Minnesota to offer, but that it will trail Wisconsin for his services. The Badgers created a good deal of distance by offering early, I’m told.
Reuvers plans to play with D1 Minnesota this spring and summer, a program Gard is certainly familiar with. A timetable for a decision is not in play just yet and it’s expected Reuvers will play out the AAU season before narrowing his focus.
Hauser will play with an Iowa-based AAU team
Joey Hauser, the top in-state prospect in the 2018 class, will play this offseason with the Iowa Barnstormers. According to Barnstormers coach K.C. Schmitt, it was a good fit for Hauser, who played last year with his brother, Sam, and Wisconsin Academy.
“He's friends with AJ Green (2018 point guard) from when AJ lived in Wisconsin,” Schmitt siad. “Our squad needed a stretch 4 and Joey needed a good team to play with for two years. When you step back and watch us play it will make sense.”
Hauser’s father, Dave, will also help coach the team. The last player Wisconsin landed from the Barnstormers was Jarrod Uthoff, who transferred after one year to Iowa.
With Gard set to take over the Badgers on a permanent basis, we’re told by a number of people that Wisconsin is a major player in Hauser’s recruitment, some even labeling them the leader at this early stage.
Herro “relieved”
One prospect Gard has struck up a particularly strong relationship with is in-state guard Tyler Herro, the first player to receive an offer after Bo Ryan stepped down. I was able to attend Whitnall’s win against Pewaukee on Friday and the impending news surrounding Gard was described as a “relief” to someone close to Herro’s recruitment.
Marquette is a big player for the three-star shooting guard and this offseason is sure to bring more offers. But there’s a very good chance Wisconsin comes out on top for Herro when it’s all said and done.
In-state tracker
*Arkansas and former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema offered the top in-state prospect in the 2017 class, Tyler Beach. It’s possible the four-star prospect could make his final decision early this summer.
Pro Day set for Wednesday
The following players are expected to attend Wisconsin’s Pro Day:
- Mike Caputo
- Alex Erickson
- Jesse Hayes
- Darius Hillary
- Shelton Johnson
- Tyler Marz
- Drew Meyer
- Tanner McEvoy
- Joe Schobert
- Joel Stave
- Austin Traylor
- Derek Watt
- Isiah Cage (UW-Eau Claire)
- Aaron Karlan (UW-Stevens Point)
- Zach Kasuboski (UW-Oshkosh)
- Andrew Robinson (UW-Platteville)
- Joe Sommers (UW-Oshkosh)
Odds and Ends
*Way, way down the road, but keep on eye on 2019 quarterback Michael Lowery, the son of former Wisconsin quarterback Tony Lowery.
"I like their offense. They run a pro-style offense and being in a pro-style offense in college can help you in the Pros. (The interest in Wisconsin) it's not necessarily because my dad went there, but he has told me that it is a nice campus and everything."
*A.J. Dillon, a four-star running back who will visit Wisconsin at the end of the month, plans to trim his list to five in early April. The Badgers will need a strong visit to crack that group.
*According to a source, the door is not completely shut on potential Hawaii transfer Nick Nelson, a sophomore cornerback. Not much more is known about that situation, though.
*Assistant coach Gary Close watched 2019 forward Nobal Days on Friday night. The 6-foot-9 freshman is regarded as the top in-state prospect in his class.
*Wisconsin running back target J.K. Dobbins committed to Ohio State on Sunday.
*Former UW safety Jay Valai has taken defensive quality control position with Georgia.
