Marquette Recruiting, Ray Mernagh

VANDER BLUE GIVES BUZZ HIS WORD; MARQUETTE ADDS TO 2010

by RAY MERNAGH

Buzz Williams told me a few months ago to succeed in the Big East you have to stack really good recruiting classes back-to-back-to-back.

Williams, heading into his second season in charge at Marquette just went a long way towards doing that by getting one-time Wisconsin verbal — and oh how this must hurt the Badgers — and Madison product Vander Blue to commit to the Golden Eagles after a weekend visit. Rivals.Com’s main analyst Jerry Meyer had quotes from Blue about the Big East being a league that helps guys get ready for the NBA.

All of these kids think they can play in the NBA. The good news for Williams and Marquette is that Blue, at this point in his development, has a legitimate shot. He’s among the top point guards in his class and one could argue that his location didn’t do him any favors when it came time for rankings (and he still was talented enough to achieve the holy grail of 5-star status from Rivals).

Blue told Marquette beat writer Todd Rosiak of the Journal Setinel the following about his decision: “I love the Marquette culture, have a real good connection with Buzz, and I feel like it was a great fit for me,” he said. “Their style of play is my style, it’s close to home, my mom can come see me play anytime. I feel like it was a good decision for me, and that’s where I want to pursue my college career.”

Blue had Florida, Marquette, Arizona and Wisconsin as his final four.