So Vander Blue has made up his mind and gone Gold.
That’s good news for Marquette, obviously. It’s also news that puts Wisconsin in a pretty tight spot.
Aside from the obvious of losing a prized recruit from your own backyard, Blue’s decommitment from UW and eventual decision to become a Golden Eagle could have major repercussions on the Wisconsin program for years to come.
In the last two months, UW’s lost top guards from its next two recruiting classes.
First, Diamond Taylor was arrested for entering several unlocked dorm rooms and getting sticky fingers. He was released from his scholarship.
Now, Madison Memorial’s Blue has denounced his initial commitment to UW and picked Wisconsin’s top in-state rival.
What that leaves Bo Ryan and his staff is a sudden lack of depth at the guard spot, beginning next year.
With Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes out of the program at that time, UW will be left with just Jordan Taylor and Rob Wilson as returning scholarship guards. It would appear the options after those two are few.
Brett Valentyn, the walkon from Verona, will be a senior, but he hasn’t shown anything yet to make you comfortable with him running the offense.
Tim Jarmusz could be called on, but he’s really more of a forward than a guard.
Ryan Evans, a redshirt freshman this season, is a wild card because he’s yet to play in a game.
Wquinton Smith, the UW student who won a spot on the team through an open tryout two years ago, could actually end up on the court a decent amount. He’s tiny (Don’t believe he’s his listed height of 5-10. If he’s 5-10, I’m 6-8.), but quick. After three years of running the scout team offense, he’ll be plenty comfortable with the ball in his hands.
In any case, the options most certainly aren’t of the caliber of Taylor and Blue.
But enough about people who aren’t Badgers. UW media day is this afternoon and you better bet SportsBubbler will be there.
Potential questions include: (to Jon Leuer) Is it true you grew seven inches in high school?; (to JP Gavinski) Does your scholarship include free popcorn from the end of the bench?; and (to Bo Ryan) Are you still pissed at me?
I’d love more suggested questions in the comments.
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