Badgers add 5 scholarship players; Golden Eagles sign 2 and hope to add more
With lots of scholarship spots to fill, the 2020 recruiting classes are crucial to both the Wisconsin and Marquette men's basketball programs.
The work UW’s staff did to build the 2020 class – five scholarship players and one preferred walk-on – was remarkable. MU has two players committed whom the coaching staff is excited about, but the Golden Eagles hope to keep adding to their class.
“My assistants Joe Krabbenhoft and Dean Oliver have been phenomenal over the last five months, especially considering the circumstances and the Moore family tragedy we’ve endured," UW coach Greg Gard said in a news release. "Alando Tucker has also fit it in seamlessly and been a tremendous asset for us. Our staff has always been a unified group, but I’ve watched them grow even closer recently and the fruits of their labor are evident with the addition of this year’s exceptional class.”
When the UW coaches headed out for some personal time on Memorial Day weekend, the Badgers had one commitment for the class. That was point guard Lorne Bowman of Michigan, who committed to UW last November.
Then assistant coach Howard Moore was involved in an auto accident that claimed the lives of his wife and daughter.
Brothers Sam and Joey Hauser, who left Marquette, then turned down offers from UW and chose Virginia and Michigan State, respectively.
UW’s staff added five players since that weekend.
Guards Johnny and Jordan Davis of La Crosse Central High School committed in June, during UW’s team camp. Arrowhead forward Carter Gilmore, the Classic 8 player of the year as a junior, decided in August to accept a preferred walk-on offer from UW. Then in a span of two days in September, UW secured commitments from Minnesota big men Steven Crowl and Ben Carlson.
Carlson, 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, is a versatile forward who should be physically ready to contribute immediately. Crowl, 6-9 and 210, has skill to score outside or inside but like most big men needs to add strength. He is open to redshirting if needed.
Jonathan Davis, 6-4 and 185, is an explosive guard in the mold of former UW player Michael Flowers. Jordan Davis, 6-4 and 185, is a three-point threat and a tenacious defender.
Bowman, 6-2 and 180, is a poised lead guard who can also score.
Gilmore, 6-7 and 200 pounds, had scholarship offers from DePaul, UW-Milwaukee and Indiana State. He shot better than 40% from three-point range and averaged 19.9 points per game as a junior.
MU welcomes two versatile forwards in its 2020 class, 6-8 Justin Lewis from Baltimore and 6-9 Osasere "Oso" Ighodaro from Chandler, Arizona.
Lewis is the No. 76 recruit in the class, according to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings. He has the profile of a prototypical Big East forward with strong rebounding skills and a developing three-point shot. Lewis committed to MU in July.
Lewis has won two straight state championships with Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He is also has been involved with the USA Basketball youth teams.
“We believe he has an incredibly high ceiling as a basketball player,” MU coach Steve Wojciechowski said in a statement. “His strength, versatility and competitiveness are all characteristics that will help our program reach the next level.”
Ighodaro is the No. 74 recruit in the 247 Sports Composite rankings. He is a fluid ball-handler for his size and projects to be a defensive standout who can guard multiple positions. Ighodaro committed to MU in September.
“He has great length, mobility and a versatile skill set that will allow him to play multiple positions,” Wojciechowski said.
The Golden Eagles still have four open scholarship slots next season and are heavily pursuing another 2020 forward with all-around skills in Dawson Garcia. The 6-11 Garcia, from Prior Lake, Minnesota, has made two official visits to MU and plans to make a decision on Nov. 20, the last day of the signing period.