Early look at the 2011 Basketball class. at 10:38 PM

Markus Crider

Currently the Wisconsin Badgers have two commits for the 2011 recruiting class. Devon Hodges who committed last year, and George Marshall who just committed yesterday (1/19/10). As far as im aware there are three more offers out at this time. One to Markus Crider a versatile wing player from Dayton Ohio. Chasson Randle from Rockport Illinois who is considered one of the top players in the nation. Traevon Jackson who is a combo guard from Ohio, and son of former NBA player Jim Jackson. An interesting player who has not officially received an offer is Sam Thompson from Whitney Young highschool in Chicago.

Devon Hodges was originally from Romeoville High school in Illinois, however he recently transferred to rival Bolingbrook. Hodges stands at around 6'8 inches tall and weighs in at about 200lbs. Its expected that he will play a role similar to that of Marcus Landry who many Badger fans remember as a tenacious re bounder and defender who by his senior year was able to complete his all around game making it into the NBA. Hodges is not a main offensive focus on the Bolingbrook team, but is a key contributor with his athleticism and size and has reportedly been living off the glass and putbacks off offensive rebounding.

George Marshall attends one of the few selective enrollment schools in public district Chicago. At Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory the school requires that students take a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and a diverse extracurricular program. As a prospects many comparisons have been made to that of Jordan Taylor with a better mid-range game. Marshall has made a reputation as a clutch player and recently made the game winning lay-up in a NY2LA sponsored tournament. May lack the ideal size that Wisconsin has become known for at the point guard position, but more then makes up for it with his court awarness and defensive presence. He is the definition of true point guard, and will make Badger fans very happy, because of his impeccable work ethic.

Chasson Randle is a combo guard from Rocksport Illinois, and is considered one of the top guard prospects in the nation. He has offers from the likes of Illinois, Connecticut, Purdue, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. At one point the hopes of Landing Randle were extremely low, but I have a renewed confidence. Why? I cant tell you, but I have one of these feelings that it comes down to Illinois, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Randle is 6'3 and has the game of a point guard, but the mentality of a shooting guard. He is known for consistently attacking the basket, and an ever improving jump shot to go with his already advanced skill set.

Markus Crider is a 6'7 wing player from Dayton Ohio. He is a tremendous athlete and has an advanced set of skills. He is a very good ball handler for his size, and is said to be unstoppable when his mind is into the game. Now that is a bit of a scary though, but im positive Bo would not offer him unless that was not a major problem so little to worry about there. The prospect of landing Crider is in very good standing as he has appeared many times at the Kohl Center, and has always held UW in very high regards. Crider is a player that I cant say I remember having at UW in recent years. He is very athletic and has an advanced skill set, and has ideal size for a wing.


The final offer Wisconsin has out in the class is to the son of former NBA and Ohio State player Jim Jackson, Traevon. Jackson is very similar to Chasson Randle, but is not quite the athlete that Randle is. Both have a very similar skill set, but Jackson is a better shooter then Randle at this point, but Randle is still more advanced at the other skills.

UW is expected to take 4 scholarship players in the 2011 class with two spots currently filled.

PG-George Marshall
CG-Chasson Randle/Traevon Jackson
Forward-Devon Hodges & Markus Crider

This would be the ideal class for UW. However things can still change, and much is left to be decided.