Q&A: Wisconsin Badgers In the Mix for Gophers Recruit Matt Thomas?

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Wisconsin Badgers In the Mix for Gophers Recruit Matt Thomas?
By Chris Monter

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/128686?referrer_id=388419

Matt Thomas, a 6-foot-4 junior guard from Onalaska who has a Minnesota scholarship offer, played in the Minnesota Timberwolves Shootout this past weekend. The Hilltoppers ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin’s Division 1 rankings, lost for the first time, losing to Apple Valley 66-64, despite his season-best 33 points.

Thomas has scored in double figures in all ten games and has 20 or more points in eight of ten contests.

GopherHole.com caught up with Thomas to learn the latest on his recruitment and his junior season and will watch him the next two Saturdays as well.

GH: You picked up a couple of offers recently from Virginia and Northwestern. How many offers are you up to now?

Matt Thomas: Nine. (Boston College, Creighton, Green Bay, Iowa State, Marquette, Minnesota, Northwestern, Northern Iowa and Virginia).

GH: Obviously, a tough loss against Apple Valley, but you have been playing well and beat your big rival La Crosse Aquinas and are ranked number one in the state. How pleased are you with the team’s play so far this season?

Matt Thomas: We have had our ups and downs, but generally, we have been playing pretty well. We just need to be a little more consistent at times.

GH: You beat Aquinas Friday, a team that beat you twice last season and played a very good Apple Valley squad Saturday. Are those the kind of games that can help you get ready for the postseason?

Matt Thomas: For sure. That is what we want to do. The coach took us down to Mequon (for the WBY Shootout) over Christmas break and here (the Target Center) and then we play at the La Crosse Center next weekend against good teams and that will help us in the playoffs, for sure, by playing teams of this caliber.

GH: How about your own individual play this season? You are averaging around 21 to 22 points per game and had 33 versus Apple Valley. How pleased are you with that?

Matt Thomas: I am pretty pleased. Sometimes at times, I am not too consistent. Sometimes, maybe not playing the whole game. I didn’t think that the first half I played very well (against Apple Valley), but I turned it up in the second, but just play more of a complete game all-around.

GH: Friday night, Wisconsin was at your game. What are you hearing from the Badgers?

Matt Thomas: I was actually supposed to call them. I’ll call them back. We have been playing phone tag. I haven’t talked to them yet.

GH: What about the Gophers? I know that they offered you a scholarship last summer and coach Smith and Coach Jirsa were here to watch you at the Target Center. What are you hearing from them?

Matt Thomas: I’m still keeping in touch with them. They are still interested, for sure.
 

Just as a note, Onalaska is Division 2, not 1.

The offer list is certainly impressive, but I wish I could get down to see this kid play for myself. That game against Aquinas would have been awesome to check out.
 

this is the type of kid that tubby absolutely should be able to sign. we were in on him early, the in-state school wasn't, we have PT for him early, a definite need. sign him.
 





6'4" seems a bit tall to me. I would have guessed 6'2" but I'm not sure.

Matt is on the north side of 6'3", closer to 6'4" than 6'2". Also, for those in the twin cities, Onalaska will be playing against St. Paul Johnson in an event at Johnson next Saturday (1/21). Should be a good game and a nice test for Matt against an aggressive defensive team.

I am happy to see UW picking up their intesest in Matt, as I really want to see him as a Badger. Not sure if they are going to offer, but it would not surprise me if one came relatively soon. If that happens, I would give UW a really good shot at landing him. If they wait too much longer, I would guess Virginia and Iowa St. are the favorites, with Minnesota having a shot.
 


Matt is on the north side of 6'3", closer to 6'4" than 6'2". Also, for those in the twin cities, Onalaska will be playing against St. Paul Johnson in an event at Johnson next Saturday (1/21). Should be a good game and a nice test for Matt against an aggressive defensive team.

I am happy to see UW picking up their intesest in Matt, as I really want to see him as a Badger. Not sure if they are going to offer, but it would not surprise me if one came relatively soon. If that happens, I would give UW a really good shot at landing him. If they wait too much longer, I would guess Virginia and Iowa St. are the favorites, with Minnesota having a shot.

Didn't realize he was that tall. I've only seen him briefly and didn't stand next to him, so I wasn't sure. Looks like our competition for him just got tougher with the Badgers offering him.
 



Sure would rather have Thomas than Ellenson.Think Tubby settled with him rather than going hard after Thomas.Sure would have been nice to get a guy who can shoot for a change.
 

Sure would rather have Thomas than Ellenson.Think Tubby settled with him rather than going hard after Thomas.Sure would have been nice to get a guy who can shoot for a change.

Thomas is a 2013 recruit. They have been going after Thomas long before UW.
 

My mistake. I question how hard we went after him.Or maybe the interest isn't that strong on Matt's part.Sounds like Iowa State may be the leader.
 

My mistake. I question how hard we went after him.Or maybe the interest isn't that strong on Matt's part.Sounds like Iowa State may be the leader.

I don't get that impression at all. I feel like he has been one of the staff's top priorities for 2013.
 



I don't get that impression at all. I feel like he has been one of the staff's top priorities for 2013.

The Badgers are playing catch up with Thomas big time. He did not like being slowplayed by the staff. He felt like he was worthy of an early offer, but it didn't come, so he knows he was not a priority for the UW staff and that rubbed him the wrong way big time. We are hearing ISU is the early leader fwiw.
 

I don't get that impression at all. I feel like he has been one of the staff's top priorities for 2013.

Agreed. I'm not an insider on anything, but it sure seems Thomas is one of the guys Tubby wants to get most.
 

UWOle's linked article makes it pretty clear that Iowa State and Virginia have been recruiting Thomas harder than Minnesota. We certainly don't pay Tubby two million dollars a year to miss out on priority kids to Iowa State. It's also interesting that Tubby lost Jesperson to Virginia where Tony Bennett is and might trail him for Thomas too...and one of our big concerns over Bennett coaching the Gophers was recruiting.
 

RoyalGopher said:
Agreed. I'm not an insider on anything, but it sure seems Thomas is one of the guys Tubby wants to get most.

I hope tubby is selling the numbers Blake put up here and how effective he was. As well as what a fan favorite he was. Thomas is a guy who'd be a great addition to this team.
 

UWOle's linked article makes it pretty clear that Iowa State and Virginia have been recruiting Thomas harder than Minnesota. We certainly don't pay Tubby two million dollars a year to miss out on priority kids to Iowa State. It's also interesting that Tubby lost Jesperson to Virginia where Tony Bennett is and might trail him for Thomas too...and one of our big concerns over Bennett coaching the Gophers was recruiting.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but wouldn't it make more sense to wait to criticize Tubby until after we actually lose the kid? I like both 2012 recruits better. I would guess priorities in 2013 are C and PG. Looks to me Thomas may be a 3 point specialist. I would like to get him, but I don't see any need to panic.
 

Just cause you are a favorite doesn't mean you are working harder than everyone else...
 

howieramone said:
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but wouldn't it make more sense to wait to criticize Tubby until after we actually lose the kid? I like both 2012 recruits better. I would guess priorities in 2013 are C and PG. Looks to me Thomas may be a 3 point specialist. I would like to get him, but I don't see any need to panic.

I think 2013 goals are Thomas and Nolan. Those are the two id love to get.

Then in 2014 you add a stud PG (Tyus), a stud SG (Vaugn) and if the stars align for once and God smiles on the Gophers, you get Okafor too. Plus Mo and EE with Andre, Austin, etc.

I'm excited about this team either way (tyus or no tyus) and Thomas would make it even better.

That team (even with 3 freshman) is a FORCE. Definition of a complete team.

Gophers need a shooter to replace Blake and who better than a WI native, Matt Thomas.
 

Thomas would be a much bigger get than Ellenson or Buggs. It's not even really that close.
 

I think 2013 goals are Thomas and Nolan. Those are the two id love to get.

Then in 2014 you add a stud PG (Tyus), a stud SG (Vaugn) and if the stars align for once and God smiles on the Gophers, you get Okafor too. Plus Mo and EE with Andre, Austin, etc.

I'm excited about this team either way (tyus or no tyus) and Thomas would make it even better.

That team (even with 3 freshman) is a FORCE. Definition of a complete team.

Gophers need a shooter to replace Blake and who better than a WI native, Matt Thomas.

Wow, you have high hopes. God has nothing to do with it. Tubby has to do it. I hate to tell you but Tyus is not going to play for Tubby Smith. Just not going to happen.
 

minngg said:
Wow, you have high hopes. God has nothing to do with it. Tubby has to do it. I hate to tell you but Tyus is not going to play for Tubby Smith. Just not going to happen.
How would you know? I'm sure Tyus does not hate Tubby like u.
 

minngg said:
Wow, you have high hopes. God has nothing to do with it. Tubby has to do it. I hate to tell you but Tyus is not going to play for Tubby Smith. Just not going to happen.

I have a feeling you could win a free 80,000 square foot mansion in the Bahamas and still complain it wasn't 85,000 square feet. You don't have to be negative 24/7, it's gotta be bad for your heart.
 

Wow, you have high hopes. God has nothing to do with it. Tubby has to do it. I hate to tell you but Tyus is not going to play for Tubby Smith. Just not going to happen.

Don't act like you have a clue what you're talking about. Let's be serious here.
 

Matt's playing at and against St. Paul Johnson today at 2:30p.
The game before that (tip=12:45pm) is Riverside from Brew-town with newly-eligible Phil Nolan & D'Andre Downey going up against Hopkins.
 




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