Marquette Basketball

Marquette's players and students aren't the only ones feeling the pain after Friday night's first-round NCAA tournament loss to South Carolina. 

One employee was on track to win $1 million every year for life...but the upset ruined everything.

For the second consecutive year, CEO Warren Buffett held a March Madness contest for Berkshire Hathaway—with a hefty cash prize.

Any employee with a perfect Sweet 16 bracket would take home $1 million every year for life. If no one's perfect, $100,000 would go to the person whose bracket stays perfect the longest.

Amazing, right?

Well, Buffett sweetened the deal even more this year, offering another $1 million prize for anyone who could correctly pinpoint the winners of each of the 32 Round 1 games.

Yahoo's Daniel Roberts reports that one Berkshire employee was this close to taking home the cash, with 29 proper picks...but it was all blown to oblivion when Marquette crumbled under South Carolina in a 93-73 loss Friday night.

Ouch. Well, there's always next March...

[Yahoo]

Free-throw distractions, particularly in the world of college basketball, have become a competition of their own.

Rather than subscribe to all of the antics, however, Marquette student Jamey Schilling opted for a more direct approach—a bribe of sorts.

When Providence guard Kris Dunn set up at the charity stripe during a Wednesday night matchup between the Golden Eagles and the Friars, Schilling decided to give his opponent an incentive to miss his mark.

“I will literally give you $10 if you miss this shot!” he shouted, and sure enough, Dunn did. 

Coincidence? Either way, Schilling is sending Providence Athletics the Alexander Hamilton he owes Dunn, along with a sportsmanlike note.

As it turns out, the sophomore may not be out $10, however. So impressed was his school with his commitment to his word (and maybe even his contribution to Marquette's 96-91 double-overtime victory) that they're rewarding him with some swag.

Dear @PCAthletics ,

The check is in the mail. #providenceCollegeAthletics pic.twitter.com/JlXgZfukam

— Jamey Schilling (@captainJAMErYca) February 11, 2016

Lesson learned: There's always value in being a gracious winner.

As decorous (and amusing) as this gesture was, it's probably fortunate that not everyone feels the same need to follow through on their midgame proclamations.

[Twitter, h/t For The Win]

Marquette and head basketball coach Steve Wojciechowski have agreed to a contract extension that will keep the 39-year-old with the school through the 2021-22 season.  

Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com, citing the school, reported the news Tuesday. Wojciechowski is in his second season at Marquette. The Golden Eagles are 23-21 during his tenure, including a 10-2 mark so far this season. 

“I am extremely grateful for the support the University provides our program on a daily basis,” Wojciechowski said in a statement on the university's official website. “It’s a team effort, on and off the court, and the belief in what we are building is tremendous and will play a key role in keeping Marquette among the elite programs in the country.”

The Golden Eagles' run has been a bit of a surprise after Wojciechowski won just 13 games during his first season on the bench. Marquette had not had a losing season since 1998-99 before Wojciechowski's arrival, though part of his issues were due to the sudden departure of coach Buzz Williams.

“We are thrilled with the direction the program is heading under Steve’s leadership,” athletic director Bill Scholl said in a statement. “This extension not only illustrates our commitment to what Steve and his staff are building at Marquette, but also his commitment to the University.”

Extending Wojciechowski now is still a bit of a surprise. Marquette is yet to begin conference play, where it posted a 4-14 record last season, and has mostly gotten off to a strong start by beating up on low-rung competition.

The Golden Eagles' most impressive wins of the season have come against Wisconsin and LSU, neither of which is lighting the world on fire. They also dropped their season opener to a shaky Belmont team and were blown out at home against Iowa.

What's more, it's not like Wojciechowski's deal was expiring anytime soon.

His original contract ran through the 2019-20 season. This new deal adds only two more years, so this was more than likely a push from Wojciechowski's side for a raise. Terms have not been made publicly available, but it would stand to reason that Wojciechowski's representatives looked to take advantage of the team's hot start while they could.

At the very least, if the hot start proves legit, Marquette is locking up a coach who could have been a hot commodity for bigger jobs next offseason. Wojciechowski comes with a pedigree of working more than a decade under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke and was one of the nation's most well-respected assistants when he took the Marquette job. 

He's also done better than expected on the recruiting trail, so this is a showing of good faith on both sides—even if it's a bit curious.

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Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski isn't afraid to play the waiting game when it comes to Brendan Bailey.

The 4-star small forward committed to the Golden Eagles on Tuesday, making the announcement on Twitter:

According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Bailey is the No. 12 small forward and No. 67 player overall in the 2016 recruiting class. He had originally pledged his future to the Arizona State Sun Devils but reversed his decision in March, per Scout.com's Josh Gershon.    

In the months that followed, Marquette slowly began distancing itself as the favorite.

Securing the commitment of a high school recruit is always an investment in the future, but that's particularly true with Bailey. Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv noted Aug. 6 that Bailey will do a two-year mission as part of his adherence to the Mormon religion.

ESPN.com's Jeff Borzello confirmed the situation remains the same following his commitment to Marquette.

Essentially, Bailey is really a member of the 2018 recruiting class, and his scholarship won't count toward the Golden Eagles' numbers until then.

That makes projecting Bailey's value going forward a little more difficult. But even if Bailey remains the same player he is in two years' time, he'll still have room for growth.

Corey Evans of the Roundball Rundown Report couldn't say enough about Bailey's game:

You wouldn't necessarily classify the American Fork, Utah, native as a three-point specialist, but he has the range to knock down shots from that distance on occasion. He can also spot up from mid-range to keep the opposing defense honest.

Bailey is listed at just 6'7" and 170 pounds, so there's no question he'll need to add a bit more muscle to become a more consistent scorer inside off the dribble.

He does boast a ton of length, which will make him a hassle on the defensive end. Again, though, depending on how much he bulks up in the next two years, strength could be a concern when he's matched up with more physical small forwards.

In a way, Bailey's mission could work out well since he should be much more physically developed by the time he arrives in Milwaukee than he would have been in 2016.

Two years is a long time to wait for Bailey to contribute on the court, but Wojciechowski's patience should be richly rewarded in due time.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports unless noted otherwise.

We might as well start preparing now for his inevitable rise in the 2016 NBA draft discussion. It's only a matter of time before Marquette freshman big man Henry Ellenson emerges as one of the perceived prizes in next June's field. 

Having broken his hand late last March, Ellenson had to miss the McDonald's All-American Game, Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic—and consequently an opportunity to create some buzz heading into his freshman season.

But he didn't miss Marquette's recent August tour to Italy. And in his first live action back from injury, Ellenson was terrific through four games against international competition, as he showcased an eye-opening offensive attack and put up some serious numbers in the process. 

At 6'10", he's a smooth athlete who's really improved his body over the last few years. Down to 228 pounds after weighing in at 261 back in 2012, Ellenson has become agile for a big man with broad shoulders and room for additional bulk.

For what it's worth, he looks the part of a future professional power forward.

But it's spectacular ball skills that ultimately separate Ellenson and fuel his NBA-friendly versatility.

He put on a ball-handling clinic in Italy. With a green light to initiate the break off defensive rebounds, Ellenson went coast to coast a number of times, resulting in fouls, layups or open shots for teammates:  

Ellenson's ability to push the ball up the floor before the defense can set led to easy scoring chances. 

His handles showed up in the half court as well, where Ellenson flashed a one-on-one game that highlighted go-to scoring potential.

He found ways to separate into makable shots off the dribble, whether it was runners on the move or a step-back in the mid-range:

Ellenson even knocked down four threes throughout the trip. Though it's unlikely to be a consistent weapon right away, his jumper has touch and range that suggest a future in stretch 4 position: 

Still, while it's his face-up arsenal that sets him apart, Ellenson is equally as effective around the basket, thanks to some terrific hands, length and footwork. 

He demonstrated the ability to finish righty or lefty in the paint, depending on which shoulder had more room to turn over. We also got to see Ellenson's instincts and nimble feet off a nifty up-and-under countermove:

His 7.5 rebounds per game were't overwhelming, but there aren't many concerns over his presence under the boards. 

If there is an area where he's likely to take some criticism, it's on defense. Ellenson just doesn't project as a rim protector (blocked one shot in Italy) or stopper out on the perimeter. However, among his basketball IQ, mobility and long arms, it's doesn't currently seem like an alarming enough red flag.

Throughout the week overseas, we saw Ellenson hurt opposing defenses in transition, isolation and the post, and off pick-and-pops, pick-and-rolls and various catch-and-finishes. You get the impression he's going to be a player who can be featured in any set from every spot on the floor. 

"I want to play all over," Ellenson told Fox Sports Wisconsin's Andrew Gruman. "I'm not a guy that's going to go into the post or just go on the wing. I like to mix it up with my game and play all over the court."

As Marquette's top option, there won't be any shortage of touches for Ellenson, either. ESPN.com's Paul Biancardi noted, "The offense will flow through him as he contributes and influences this program immediately." 

Along with all the upside he gives scouts a taste of, Ellenson should be able to back it up with production.

The Kevin Love comparisons are sure to start up early. The two share similar inside-out repertoires, noses for the ball and defensive limitations. 

The fact that this upcoming class might lack star power and slam dunks should also work toward Ellenson's favor. Outside of LSU's Ben Simmons and Kentucky's Skal Labissiere, there isn't exactly a secondary tier of prospects set in stone. 

Duke's Brandon Ingram, California's Jaylen Brown, Kentucky's Jamal Murray and even Croatia's Dragan Bender will each be in the hunt. But if we haven't already, it's time to start mentioning Ellenson as a legitimate threat among those names. 

At this point, few prospects ultimately seem like better top-10 bets than Ellenson, who appears to possess the skills and versatility that have become so valued in today's NBA. 

Though he didn't quite face Final Four-caliber competition in Italy, his performance looked far from flukey. It shouldn't be long before the national spotlight identifies Ellenson and puts him in the center of this year's draft conversation. 

The Marquette Golden Eagles college basketball program scored a major coup Thursday with the commitment of elite power forward prospect Henry Ellenson.

According to ESPN.com's Reggie Rankin, Ellenson has decided to join head coach Steve Wojciechowski's team starting in the 2015-16 season:

The 6'10", 230-pound big man is listed as a 5-star prospect and the No. 10 overall player in the class of 2015 by 247Sports. Ellenson is also the No. 2 prospect in the state of Wisconsin, so Wojciechowski did well to keep the 17-year-old phenom close to home.

Wojciechowski, an assistant for several years at Duke, made the jump to Marquette after Buzz Williams took the head coaching job at Virginia Tech. Wojciechowski's presence is already being felt, and ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman views Ellenson as a signature acquisition:

Per Rankin, Ellenson was drawn to Marquette for many reasons, including a chance to play alongside his brother, Wally.

I felt Marquette was a place where I could make an immediate impact. I feel that I will have an opportunity to play multiple positions and show my versatility. Also, I was the most comfortable with the coaching staff, and a chance to play with my brother was something that was always big to me.

In the wake of the Big East's overhaul, it is a conference that is very much up for grabs in the coming years. If Ellenson develops as expected, he could be the linchpin that leads Marquette to glory.

The fact that Ellenson chose Marquette over elite programs such as Kentucky and Michigan State speaks to the notion that the Golden Eagles could be on the verge of a golden age.

Wojciechowski still needs some time to mold the program to his liking, but Ellenson is clearly an ideal starting point.

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Recruiting for the 2015 college basketball season has slowly started to pick up. The latest member of the commitment list is shooting guard Haanif Cheatham, who has given Steve Wojciechowski a building block in his first year as head coach at Marquette.

According to Josh Gershon of Scout.com, Cheatham announced his intentions to play for the Golden Eagles next season:

Michael Bohlin of 247Sports tweeted out a picture from Cheatham's press conference, when he officially put on the Marquette hat:

Versatility is the key word to describe Cheatham, who is the 61st-ranked player in the 2015 recruiting class. Marquette also has the 10th-ranked class for next season with three 4-star prospects on the way.

He's got room to fill out at 6'5", 185 pounds but has shown the ability to move all over the floor and be effective controlling the ball or as a stop-and-pop player.

Alex Kline of The Recruit Scoop likes Cheatham's ability to play both guard positions and the small forward spot:

Top-100 G Haanif Cheatham gives Marquette versatility as he is skilled in many areas. Long & smooth, he is a playmaker who can play the 1-3.

— Alex Kline (@TheRecruitScoop) September 5, 2014

According to Jerry Meyer of 247Sports, Cheatham was choosing between California, Georgetown and Marquette. Despite growing up in Florida, his top choice appeared to be the Golden Eagles for a long time before officially committing on Friday.

Even though this is Wojciechowski's first stint as a head coach, he's not wasting time in leaving a mark. He already has three 4-star commitments in his back pocket and plenty of time to add to that group.

He learned from one of the best working at Duke all those years.

For Cheatham, he's going to one of the premier schools in the country and can be an igniter for the offense. The Golden Eagles are just one year removed from playing in the Elite Eight, so the cupboard was hardly bare to begin with.

Now, with Wojo as head coach and the newly added Cheatham, the Golden Eagles have a bright future and will be a major player in the Big East in no time.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter.

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According to reports from ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, the Marquette Golden Eagles have hired Duke associate head coach Steve Wojciechowski as their 17th head basketball coach in program history.

Wojciechowski, who interviewed for the position on Monday, spent 15 years as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski. He played four years as a guard for the Blue Devils and was named the national defensive player of the year in 1998.

Since joining Coach K’s staff in 1999, Wojciechowski has been a part of six Sweet Sixteen appearances, three trips to the Final Four and two national championships coming in the 2000-01 and 2009-10 seasons.

The Golden Eagles were reportedly interested in both Wojciechowski and Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin. CBSSports.com’s Gary Parrish reported late Sunday night that Martin had taken his name out of the running for the Marquette job.

Wojciechowski doesn’t bring any experience as a head coach, but he has been instrumental in recruiting for the Blue Devils. He is another branch of the Krzyzewski coaching tree, which includes Harvard coach Tommy Amaker, Notre Dame’s Mike Brey, Northwestern’s Chris Collins and Stanford’s Johnny Dawkins as some of the more prolific members.

This isn’t Marquette’s first rodeo with a novice head coach. The Golden Eagles hired former Michigan State assistant Tom Crean in 1999 and replaced him with an assistant from Crean’s staff, Buzz Williams, in 2008.

ESPN.com ranked Wojciechowski as the 17th-best recruiter among assistant coaches, and the Marquette staff was impressed by his interview on Monday, a source told the website Paint Touches.

Wojciechowski will have some relatively big shoes to fill. Before jumping to Virginia Tech, Williams led the Golden Eagles to five NCAA tournament appearances, including three consecutive trips to the Sweet Sixteen and an Elite Eight appearance in the 2012-13 season.