The past week has been relatively newsworthy for Wisconsin from a recruiting perspective, despite the summer doldrums setting in.
It all started just over a week ago on April 30 when Ben Brust won his second appeal to re-sign within the Big Ten after his release from Iowa. All signs pointed toward Brust choosing either Wisconsin or Northwestern.
While Brust was playing in an academic all-star game out in California, the AAU circuit was heating up in Indiana, where 6'10" supernova Anthony Davis exploded at the Spiece Run 'N Slam tournament. The Chicago Perspectives star promptly received a scholarship offer from Wisconsin that Sunday.
But Davis wasn't the only Illinois big man who caught the coaching staff's eye. Benet Academy center Frank Kaminsky of the Illinois Wolves, another 6'10" senior-to-be, received the same offer following his visit to Madison on Thursday. That move pushed the number of confirmed outstanding scholarship offers from the Badgers for the 2011 class into double-digits, with six of those players hailing from the Land of Lincoln.
Then on Friday night, Brust officially signed on to play for Bo Ryan during his official campus visit with Duje Dukan. Bo will look for Brust to do some of the things Jason Bohannon provided from the shooting guard position for the past four years. All in all, he's a pretty nice late addition to the 2010 class.
The news was not all perfect, however. One of Wisconsin's major Illinois targets, Mycheal Henry, was reportedly coming to Madison today, but chose on Monday to commit to the Illini instead. Henry picked Illinois over Wisconsin and Georgetown. Brust's commitment probably didn't have any bearing on Henry's choice, seeing as there is much more of a log jam at the wing positions in Champaign than here. Bruce Weber's team will be loaded for the next several years, though he definitely has high expectations to achieve.
The fast-rising Henry appeared to be a good fit for the Badgers, who told Henry he would fill the role of a go-to scorer on the team. Personally I was hoping that George Marshall could have done some recruiting for UW to that end, but the draw of the home-state school was too strong. Let's hope Marshall stays true.
I still have not gotten word on whether Milwaukee Vincent sophomore Phillip Nolan actually made it to campus last week for a visit as anticipated. Some speculated that Nolan was on the verge a receiving in offer for the 2012 class. Jarrod Uthoff is the next name to listen for in 2011.
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As Wisconsin attempts to reel in three more players for 2011, it was a slight disappointment to hear who the team hosts in next season's Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Badgers will be able to invite recruits to a battle with North Carolina ... State.
However, I do like the idea of the league top teams going on the road. If Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State are as good as advertised, each has a good chance of winning in any venue against any team. That means many of the swing games will be held in Big Ten arenas for a change. See, I can be optimistic sometimes ...
Monday, May 10, 2010
April Showers Bring May Offers
Friday, April 30, 2010
Brust's Path To The Badgers Looks Clear
A Big Ten faculty committee sided with Wisconsin Friday morning and will grant a waiver to former Iowa recruit Ben Brust to allow him to receive an athletic scholarship at another school within the conference.
Based on the fact that Wisconsin formally went to bat for Brust in a second appeal, the Badgers are the odds-on favorite to sign the 6'2" guard from Mundelein (Ill.) High School before the spring signing period concludes May 19. Brust appears to be the most viable option to replace Ian Markolf on the roster, which would alleviate some of the depth concerns at guard next year caused by graduation and dismissals.
Iowa released Brust from his Letter of Intent without restriction back on April 12, after hiring new head coach Fran McCaffery to replace the ousted Todd Lickliter. Scholarship offers poured in from California to Boston College, but Big Ten programs like Iowa, Wisconsin and Northwestern continued to show varied amounts of interest in Brust, pending the interpretation the existing rule against transferring within the conference.
Brust was originally denied in the matter by the Big Ten's Academics and Eligibility Subcommittee.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Prospect Profile: Ben Brust
Ben Brust, SG
6'2" :: 185 lbs.
Class of 2010
Mundelein (IL) HS [team site]
AAU: Rising Stars
::: RANKINGS UPDATED MAY 8 :::
Rankings
Scout: 3 Stars * * * (#41 SG) Previous: #40 SG
Rivals: 3 Stars * * * (PG)
ESPN/Scouts, Inc. grade: 90 (#52 SG)
Honors
2010 Second Team All-State (Class 4A, IBCA)
2010 All-Area Team (ESPNChicago)
2010 All-North Suburban Conference
2010 Academic All-American Classic
Recent Press
4/30: UW wins appeal on behalf of Brust - JSOnline
4/22: Big Ten denies waiver for ex-Iowa recruit - Cedar Rapids Gazette
4/20: Badgers hot on the trail of Illinois shooting guard - Madison.com
1/20: On the Sideline with Mundelein's Ben Brust - Chicago Tribune
1/9: Mustangs, Brust get best of Smith, Z-B - Chicago Sun-Times
The Verbal
Brust commits to Badgers men's basketball team - WiSJ (5/8/10)
Brust re-opens recruitment - ESPNChicago.com (4/14/10)
The Hype
Richmond, Leonard top 2010 - City/Suburban Hoops Report (4/30/10)
Quick playoff exit puzzling to Brust - Chicago Sun-Times (3/9/10)
Iowa-bound Brust, Sawvell, Mundelein too much fo Ohio-State bound Smith, Zion-Benton - Chicago Tribune (1/9/10)
Scouts survive Brust's big night, win in OT - Chicago Sun-Times (12/8/09)
Healthy again, Brust a force for Mundelein - Chicago Sun-Times (6/16/09)
Brust scores 45 in Mustang victory over Cats - Chicago Sun-Times (12/10/08)
Audio/Video
Game: Second annual High School Academic All-American Classic (5/1/10) - Fox Sports
Interview: Ben Brust - HawkeyeNationTV (2/28/10) - YouTube
Highlights: Lenzelle Smith and Ben Brust (1/29/10) - YouTube
Highlights: Ben Brust 2009-10 (12/21/09) - YouTube
Highlights: Ben Brust 2008-09 II (7/7/09) - YouTube
Highlights: Ben Brust 2008-09 (4/23/09) - YouTube
Stats
Senior:
Additional Info
2009-10 Schedule :: Chicago Sun-Times
Photos






