'08 AZ SF Ryan Evans is a Badger!

[komacki]

Also, we aren't exactly prominent in the southwest recruiting wise, in either major sport.

Actually, I was wondering when the last time the Badgers got a commitment out of Ohio, Texas, or Arizona. In football Bielema is creeping into Texas, but don't remember Bo getting anyone out of any of those places during the time I've been here.

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by komacki

Actually, I was wondering when the last time the Badgers got a commitment out of Ohio, Texas, or Arizona. In football Bielema is creeping into Texas, but don't remember Bo getting anyone out of any of those places during the time I've been here.

Markolf is from San Antonio

[TheFresher]

Originally Posted by TroyD92

Markolf is from San Antonio

exactly, in the 08 class we had 1 player from each of the 3 states he mentioned.. that was his point

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by TheFresher

exactly, in the 08 class we had 1 player from each of the 3 states he mentioned.. that was his point

Oh I only really lead like two post I thought he asked when have we ever gotten a recruit out of those states my bad

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by komacki

Actually, I was wondering when the last time the Badgers got a commitment out of Ohio, Texas, or Arizona. In football Bielema is creeping into Texas, but don't remember Bo getting anyone out of any of those places during the time I've been here.

Ohio and Texas are regular stops for recruiters around the country in both major sports, because of their sheer population size alone. Markolf is a testament to a spike in national status because he had other palatable offers, including a powerhouse and a couple in state ones, but he chose to travel to a magical land, far away, called Madison. I think we noticed Wilson playing AAU basketball in the midwest, and we thought he was a sleeper.

With Arizona, to recruit there is a bit irregular. However, we have been recruiting Nick Markovich for a while too. There are some ties between the states of Wisconsin and Arizona because a disproportionately high amount of our natives move there since it's the polar opposite of our climate. My brother actually teaches in the Phoenix area.

[#20]

Originally Posted by komacki

There's a poster over on Sportsline who has a cousin that's a high school and AAU coach down in Phoenix, and this is his cousin's take on Evans:

That sportsline poster's "inside info" is transparently BS.

Supposedly, his cousin is a high school and AAU coach has "never heard of" a first team all-stater who led his team to the state semis?! Riiiight. Then he goes on to break down his game based on what?? Box scores?

Then he says "he's Morris Cain + 2 inches." So this guy has never seen Ryan, but knows the game of a UW walk-on well enough to compare them?

Then he purports to know how the coaching staff evaluated him (a highlights tape he supposedly sent them)?

Then he starts talking about how the Evans scholarship is a wasted scholarship amid a sidetracked rant on Gullickson's scholarship statusa nd recent drinking problems??

The bigger joke is that anyone, anywhere, would believe this BS.

For what it's worth, my cousin lives in Phoenix and says he saw Ryan make 10 consecutive half court shots and follow it up by dunking the ball with his feet!! Believe it!!

[phizz007]

I think it's reasonable to assume we never would have been on Evans w/o the family connection. In Markolf's case, skilled 7-footers don't grow on trees so you may have to outside your recruiting base to find those players. Players like Evans (skills + measureables-wise) are all over the midwest.

As for recruiting Ohio, I don't think it's odd at all -- it's in B10 country and its loaded with talent every year. I think the last time UW got a player from there though was in the StuJax era (PG Darnell Hoskins, who tranferred to Dayton after a coaching change I believe).

[Heavystarch]

Originally Posted by #20

That sportsline poster's "inside info" is transparently BS.

Supposedly, his cousin is a high school and AAU coach has "never heard of" a first team all-stater who led his team to the state semis?! Riiiight. Then he goes on to break down his game based on what?? Box scores?

Then he says "he's Morris Cain + 2 inches." So this guy has never seen Ryan, but knows the game of a UW walk-on well enough to compare them?

Then he purports to know how the coaching staff evaluated him (a highlights tape he supposedly sent them)?

Then he starts talking about how the Evans scholarship is a wasted scholarship amid a sidetracked rant on Gullickson's scholarship statusa nd recent drinking problems??

The bigger joke is that anyone, anywhere, would believe this BS.

For what it's worth, my cousin lives in Phoenix and says he saw Ryan make 10 consecutive half court shots and follow it up by dunking the ball with his feet!! Believe it!!

The part I liked best was him "never hearing of him" then analyzing his game haha

[komacki]

Originally Posted by Heavystarch

The part I liked best was him "never hearing of him" then analyzing his game haha

I liked that part as well. But my favorite part was definitely the one about Mo Cain. You don't know about an all-state performer in your home state but you know about a walk-on at Wisconsin? Really?

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by Heavystarch

The part I liked best was him "never hearing of him" then analyzing his game haha

I re-read his diatribe, and he really didn't evaluate his game outside of comparing him to Morris Cain at the end of the first paragraph. That's one of the reaches I saw. The other reach I saw is saying he's a waste of scholarship. I understood the point he was trying to make, but without seeing him, I don't know how he can assume he wouldn't be heavily sought after beyond "Yavappi Community College" or some prep school. The Badgers couldn't guarantee he'd be as readily available in 2 years nor could he assume that having a redshirt year for physical development won't be beneficial. If he went to a community college for 2 years he'd only have 2 years of eligibility. Bo prefers an entire 5 year period to physically and mentally develop players, and with a possible redshirt could save an early year where he wouldn't be ready to contribute. Or, he could be college ready immediately, and that would result in Wisconsin having a rotation player instead of Gully. Which he acknowledged but somewhat contradicted.

All the points about the level prospect he is were derived from statistics, rankings, etc.; that the guy procured.

[cportbucky]

Sports

The Cap Times talks about how Howard Moore got his film this winter and liked what he saw, comparing him to OSU freshman and former UW target Evan Turner.

"I think he has a better lift off the floor than Evan does and he's a better perimeter shooter than Evan," said Moore, who believes Evans has the ability to gain weight and strength quickly like Turner did at Ohio State this past season.

[OnWisconsin07]

Here is a good and recent Ryan Evans article. It sure does sound like this kid has determination. He might be a pleasant surprise I think.

Evans Writes His Own Story

[jem89]

I have gone to school with Ryan over the years. In middle school he rode the bench. When we were in high school freshman and sophomore year he barely played. He was cut his sophomore year and ended up transfering to Hamilton. Then out of no where, he was a starter and putting up his points--carrying Hamilton Huskies on his back. I have watched this kid played many times over the past 2 years due to the amount of times Desert Vista and Hamilton play. He is a real cool kid and a hard worker. I have no doubt he will grow better as a player. It seems as if his roof to grow as a player is very very high due to he was such a late bloomer.

Also, they should have played us in the state finals. Their game against St. Marys in the semis was straight ridiculous. Hamilton could not hit a free throw to save their life. Some random guy on St. Marys nailed a three to win it. It was just nuts.

[Bernini]

Jem, from your personal observation, did Evans' handle improve substantially from his junior to senior seasons? Because from watching a game from his junior season, it really seemed like a liability for a guy who projects to be a perimeter player.

And what was the reason for dramatic leap in his production from his junior to senior seasons? Did he get mentally tougher or just finally get acclimated to his body. Because he was basically the same height both years from what I could tell.

When he was a little guy, was he a very skilled player at least?

[jem89]

Originally Posted by Bernini

Jem, from your personal observation, did Evans' handle improve substantially from his junior to senior seasons? Because from watching a game from his junior season, it really seemed like a liability for a guy who projects to be a perimeter player.

And what was the reason for dramatic leap in his production from his junior to senior seasons? Did he get mentally tougher or just finally get acclimated to his body. Because he was basically the same height both years from what I could tell.

When he was a little guy, was he a very skilled player at least?

I know this may be hard argument to win you guys over on Ryan but lemme tell you.. I have never seen someone in my life transition from being mediocre 8th off the bench to being dominant. His biggest jump was obviously from sophomore to junior year. But yes there was an even bigger jump from Junior to Senior..Like I said, I think he has an incredibly high ceiling due to his late blooming. Also, I was talking to one of his friends he said his coach--i forgot his name--is the key to Evans' late blooming and success.

As far as the leap i think it was the coaching and his extreme motivation to get better. Like I said he got cut from Desert Vista his Sophomore year. I think that was a huge wake up call. Also, he grew like crazy. I think the game just slowed down a lot for him and his confidence sky rocketed.

I really must say when he was smaller he didn't play much--even in middle school. He just wasn't that good. Then out of no where he became dominant.

Also, what games did you watch of his?