Wednesday marked the final day of college basketball’s early signing period and Marquette took it all the way to the wire to get a commitment and signature from Reggie Smith, a 6’1 guard of Thornton High School in Chicago. A speedy athletic guard, Smith becomes 2nd year coach Buzz Williams’ first recruit from Chicago.

“It feels great to have the recruiting process over with. It wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be, but it is still a big load off of my shoulders, and now that it is done I can concentrate on my high school team.”

One of the top guards in Illinois, Smith was recruited by along list of schools besides Marquette, including Wake Forest, Indiana, Arizona, DePaul, Florida, but in the end he narrowed it down to three. “My final three schools were USC, UCLA and Marquette. When it really came down to it, I was looking for a relationship, a relationship with the right coach. When Coach Williams talked to me, I just felt like he really wanted me, and I believed him. He is an exciting young coach and he brings a lot of energy and works hard. It is similar to my previous coach, and we just clicked, and it felt like it was where I was meant to be.”

Every article you read on Smith has a different view…he’s a shooting guard…he’s a point guard…so what position will he play in college? That doesn’t matter to Smith. “I can play either. I have been a shooting guard most of my life, but I have been playing more point lately, and I think I have been doing pretty well. But at Marquette, it doesn’t matter. They don’t really play positions, they just get the ball and go. They will put the best out there, whoever it is. I am a freakish athlete, and I play with a very aggressive style. One thing that I think is very underrated though, it my ability to pass. I am a very unselfish player. If I work hard I will play, the position won’t matter.”

Smith mentioned the relationship with the coach as the number one reason for selecting Marquette, but there was a lot more that went into his decision. “The Bradley Center is an NBA arena, and you won’t find better facilities than an NBA facility. The practice facility is great too, and with 24 hour access, you have a great situation.”

Marquette being in the Big East played a big part in his decision too. “Everyone says the Big East is the best conference in the country, and you always want to play against the best. I will need to get stronger and develop more confidence to play in the Big East, but I can’t wait, it’s going to be a ball.”

Smith had been to Marquette on a number of occasions over the last few years, and feels comfortable around the players, especially Maurice Acker and former Golden Eagle Jerel McNeal. “Maurice Acker and Jerel McNeal were key players in the process, and Jerel’s dad too. I have known them for years since we all live in the same neighborhood. They always told me how great it was, and Jerel’s dad told me about the program, the offense they run and how they work with their players. It really went a long way.”

Marquette assistant coach Tony Benford was the lead recruiter for Smith and he feels that he had built a strong relationship with Benford throughout the process. “We talked as much as we are allowed to talk, and it really makes a difference when you are made to feel that they really want you. Everyone says they want you, but with Coach Benford, I really felt that he did want me at Marquette.”

There is a lot of basketball to be played before Smith arrives on the Marquette campus, and he is anxious to get things rolling with his Thornton team. “We are underrated as we had a lot of seniors that left last year, but what people don’t realize is that we had a really good sophomore team last year. I can’t wait to see what we do once we get things going.”

Reggie did have a message for Marquette fans that are just getting to know who he is, “Once I get there we will have a blast. You will have fun watching me and we will do everything we can to win some games!”

With the signing of Smith, that makes three in this year’s recruiting class for Marquette as Smith joins Vander Blue and Jamail Jones. That leaves one scholarship left for Buzz Williams in the 2010 recruiting class.

The state championship football games kicked off yesterday at Camp Randall Stadium and I went an even 2-2 with the picks. Here are links to post game stories, stats and photo galleries......

Division 7 - Burlington Catholic Central 27, McDonell Central 15

Division 6 - Edgar 46, Regis 7

Division 5 - St. Mary's Springs 42, Arcadia 7

Division 4 - Big Foot 42, Kewaunee 13

 Let’s take a look at today’s games……

Division 3 - Reedsburg (10-3) vs West DePere (12-1)

West DePere lost their first game of the season to a very tough Seymour team and the Phantoms have been on a tear ever since. They haven't even had a close game until the quarter & semi-finals when they went up against Kewaskum and Waupaca. The Phantoms do have a talented QB in senior Michael Linssen who has thrown for over 1,500 yards, the bulk of which went to Travis Mason, also a senior, but the key for West DePere is running back senior Beau Bellmore who has rushed for over 1,800 yards.

Reedsburg has one of the most impressive playoff runs of any team in Madison this week with playoff wins over Pewaukee, Jefferson and Catholic Memorial. the Beavers do not have the most high powered offense around, but playing in Madison suggests that they just find ways to win. Led by junior quarterback Chad Mazur, Reedsburg looks to pull its 5th consecutive playoff upset.

Prediction - West DePere 28, Reedsburg 14 - The Beavers Cinderella run will come to an end, and you got to love a team called Phantoms.

Division 2 - Kimberly (12-1) vs Waunakee (12-1)

I was proven wrong when I thought the Big Foot Kewaunee game was the best match up of yesterday, so this may mean prove wrong, but this looks to be the best matchup of the Friday games. The Papermakers are on a mission, playing for quarterback Mitch Hinz who went down for the season right before the playoffs started. Hinz did it all for Kimberly, as he was their leading rusher in addition to his passing yardage. With or without Hinz, the Papermakers are fueled by their talented offensive and defensive lines, led by senior Mike Hardy.

Waunakee's only loss on the season came to Reedsburg, who is playing in the D2 title game. The Warriors have been steamrolling their opponents all season long, QB Trent Cummings leads a balanced offense and has thrown for over 1,500 yards while Kyle Acker, his counterpart on the ground, has rushed for over 1,000. The Warriors also have a tough defense, holding their opponents to eight points per game.

Prediction: Kimberly 21, Waunakee 17

Division 1 - Marquette (13-0) vs Menomonee Falls (12-1)

Marquette and Menomonee Falls will meet for the D1 state title Friday, both coming off of shutout victories over Arrowhead and Appleton North respectively. Marquette, having won several WISAA state championships, has never one the WIAA title. Menomonee Falls last battled for the golden football back in 1985.

When Menomonee Falls has the ball: Marquette is undefeated and is driven by a fierce defense led by twins Michael and Marcus Trotter along with linebacker Cameron Botticelli, that has allowed only 10 points per game. On Saturday Marquette held perennial powerhouse Arrowhead to less than 200 yards of offense. Menomonee Falls’ offense is led by running back Cole Myhra and QB Max Poeske, who father Dane and uncles Monty and Leon starred for Marquette in the ‘70s & ‘80s. The Falls have a strong offense and has had several big play touchdowns which could come into play against Marquette, as their secondary is the only question mark on that strong defense.

When Marquette has the ball: Like Marquette, Menomonee Falls is led by a strong defense that has also only given up 10 points per game on the season led by linebacker Joe Henningson and defensive backs Nick Zeman and Conner Cassidy. They will have a tough job stopping the Hilltoppers’ powerful running attack. With Brock LeFace, their leading rusher out for the Arrowhead game, fullback John LoCoco stepped back into the tailback spot and racked up 240 yards on the ground against the Warhawks. While LeFace’ status for the championship remains unclear, Marquette will be tough to stop on the ground.

Prediction: Marquette beat Menomonee Falls in mid-October 27-7, but the Indians have come into their own since that loss. If Menomonee Falls can score twice on long plays they could pull this one out, but I believe Marquette is too strong, balanced and deep, and will come out on top 35-17.

The state championship football games kickoff today at Camp Randall Stadium, so let’s take a look at today’s games……

Division 7 - Catholic Central (12-1) vs McDonell Central (10-3)
Hiess vs Fliess…. Catholic Central quarterback Brian Fliess is not stranger to big games. He has been in some big ones before, both in football and basketball. He leads the Toppers in both rushing and passing, and will be a major key in Madison, but they also have running back Sam Wagner is back, so look for a balanced attack from Central.

McDonell Central is led by running back Alex Hiess, who has put up close to 7 yards per carry this year. The losses Central (McDonell Central) had were against some tough competition but they have dominated in the playoffs, outscoring their opponents 89-21 with some big wins over the likes of Plum City and Gilman. If their D, led by senior linebacker Landon Bresina, can keep the Toppers aerial attack in check, they could pull it out.

Prediction: Central (McDonell) 37, Central (Catholic) 35.

When this one is over, Fliess and Wagner will head straight for the hardwood.

Division 6 - Edgar (13-0) vs Regis (12-1)

The Ramblers have not had a close game since the beginning of October, and their only loss is to Colby, one of the toughest teams in the state. Regis is having an exciting season, but they will only go as far as Dan Sailer can take them. Sailer has rushed for over 1,200 yards on the season, but Ramblers' QB Hayden Houghen attempts fewer than three passes per game.

The Wildcats are undefeated and have been blowing out opponents throughout the postseason, beating their opponents by a combined score of 166-7. A young defense led by senior linebacker Andy Borchard, the Wildcats will shut down Sailer, Regis' only threat.

Prediction: Edgar 28, Regis 7

Division 5 - Arcadia (11-2) vs. St. Mary's Springs (13-0)

So who will “Take State” this week? The state championship football games kickoff today at Camp Randall Stadium, but before we preview the games, let’s look back at my playoff predictions to see how wrong I was. To win a point, Champion has to be in the title game, underdog had to win two and first round upset is obvious.

Division 1 - BRACKET
I predicted Marquette High to be the Champion. I also listed Madison Memorial as my underdog, and I also picked Fond du Lac over Bay Port as the first round upset.

Result – Marquette is in the championship game against Menomonee Falls.  Madison Memorial saw a first round exit and Fond du Lac did beat Bay Port. 2-1

Division 2 - BRACKET
I predicted Waunakee to be the Champion. I also listed Marshfield as my underdog, and I also picked Marshfield over LAX Logan as the first round upset.

Result – Waunakee is in the championship game against Kimberly.  Marshfield did pull the first round upset and won a second game, so consider those two good picks. 3-0

Division 3 - BRACKET
I predicted Pewaukee to be the Champion. I also listed Seymour as my underdog, and I also picked Memorial over Brown Deer as the first round upset.

Result – Pewaukee lost in the second round, Seymour lost in round one, but Memorial did last until the semifinals, so in D3 – 1-2

Division 4 - BRACKET
I predicted Northwestern to be the Champion. I also listed Brodhead/Juda as my underdog, and I also picked Brodhead/Juda over New Glarus/Monticello as the first round upset.

Result – Northwestern lost in the semifinals, but Brodhead/Juda did win two games, so here I am 2-1.

Division 5 - BRACKET
I predicted Lancaster to be the Champion. I also listed Darlington as my underdog, and I also picked Poynette over Pardeeville as the first round upset.

Result – Ouch. Lancaster lost in the semifinals. The underdog, Darlington, did win two games before losing to Lancaster. Poynette didn’t fair so well in their battle with Pardeeville, so in D5 I go 2-1.

Division 6 - BRACKET
I predicted Shiocton to be the Champion. I also listed Blair Taylor as my underdog, and I also picked Thorp over Hurley as the first round upset.

Result – Shiocton lost to Racine Lutheran in the second round.  Blair Taylor lost in the second round, and Thorp took an early exit as Hurley came out on top. Ouch. 0-3.

Division 7 - BRACKET
I predicted Desoto to be the Champion. I also listed McDonell Central as my underdog, and I also picked Owen-Withee over Port Edwards as the first round upset.

Result – Desoto made it all the way to the semis before losing to Catholic Central. McDonell Central is in the championship game and Owen-Withee did make it to the quarterfinals, so it is 2-1 in D7.

Overall, I clocked in at 12-9. Not to bad, but time for some predictions….

Flanked by his family and coaches, Vander Blue signied his National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at Marquette in the library of Madison Memorial High School today. Blue, rated #22 in the nation by Rivals.com, #27 in the nation by Scout.com and #1 in the state of Wisconsin by Mark Miller of the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook, was excited to finally put the recruitment process behind him.....