On Monday, Sam and Joey Hauser shocked the college basketball world by deciding to leave Marquette University and go elsewhere. It is a damaging loss to the Marquette Golden Eagles without question, and I wrote as much in a blog post yesterday. Now when the Hausers announced they opened up their recruitment, Wisconsin Badgers players and fans soared in. The allure of redemption sparked the flame as many Wisconsin fans see the Hausers as two players who got away from them. Wisconsin hoops players got involved as well like former teammate Trevor Anderson as well as former player and current NBA forward Sam Dekker. Wisconsin fans want the Hausers to play for their team, and I don’t blame them. Joey and Sam would add so much to this Wisconsin team. But is this a reality or a fantasy situation that every Badgers fan drew up in their head?

The reality part of this is that it makes too much sense for the brothers. There are connections all over the place. You have the Anderson one. Both Hausers played with him, and Sam is really close with him off the court as well. Sam’s girlfriend plays on the Wisconsin volleyball team which obviously could be a reason as well. No one likes long-distance relationships, albeit it would be weird to choose a school because your girlfriend goes there but people do it all the time (Side note: That’s the dumbest fucking thing ever but it happens ALL the time). The Davison family also has a relationship with the Hausers as well. Putting these pieces together, Wisconsin feels made for Joey and Sam, not Marquette. Could the unthinkable really happen and cause the rivalry between the teams to explode?

Virginia and Michigan State also are in the mix, and those aren’t small potato college basketball programs. Rather, they’re two of the best in the country, two that got to a Final Four and one that won this year’s National Championship. No matter the connections to Wisconsin that’s hard to compete with. There are connections at both places too. Michigan State nearly landed Joey before he decided to go to Marquette. Virginia has Stevens Point roots all over their coaching staff plus Tony Bennett recruited both players in high school which is a major plus for the Cavaliers.

Not many teams can say that. Some looked at Joey and not Sam including Wisconsin who ignored the older brother for reasons unknown. It is hard for me to sit here and think the Hausers would turn down an opportunity at Virginia. They’ve been one of the best programs in the country for the last five years, a title under their belt and the chance to play in the ACC versus the likes of Duke, North Carolina and others. That’s an awesome opportunity for anyone. Who knows if any other team gets involved as well. Players have until June 11th to declare for the NBA Draft, so, other opportunities could open up for them in the coming months.

Badgers fans, Marquette fans and college hoops fans will all be on Hauser watch for the coming months.

Charlie.