Patrick Hazel to transfer from Marquette University

Fox Sports a few days ago posted a list of upcoming transfers from division one schools. We confirmed tonight with Fox Sports that Hazel will, indeed, be transferring from Marquette University. Though nothing official has come from Buzz Williams, his staff, or the athletic department, Fox Sports indicated that it is definitely happening per sources close to the program (i.e. from a coach or administrator on the staff).

The move should not catch anyone by surprise. Hazel did not play any significant minutes down the stretch for Buzz's squad, even in blowout games (30 point win against St. John's) or contests where a tall body seemed the order of the day. Hazel failed to appear in any of the final ten games of the season. With Marquette over the limit by one scholarship, a transfer has been widely expected for weeks with Hazel the most likely candidate.

Hazel played in 21 games this season and averaged just a shade over 2 points per game. Hazel is from Queens, NY.

Meet Pat Hazel

Pat Hazel was interviewed by Homer on the Buzz show a few weeks back.



Thanks to Time Warner Sports channel 32 - Milwaukee.

Patrick Hazel's hard work pays off

While you lament the 10-year deathiversary of the Avalanche Super Bar this weekend (I am still bummed about that, btw) here's an article to cheer you up - - a profile of incoming freshman Patrick Hazel.

If there's one thing to take away from this article, its that this kid is an exceptionally hard worker. Sure seems like he busted his tail to improve his game past few years at Blair Academy:

After struggling to get minutes early on, Hazel’s relentless work ethic earned him significant playing time, a reason he averaged eight points and eight rebounds as a junior and 11 points and eight rebounds this past season, helping Blair Academy to a 19-8 record and a spot in the New Jersey State prep finals.

“He’s made unbelievable strides,” Mantegna said. “He was basically a Division II player when he came out here. It is a real testament to how dedicated he has been. Pat put in all the work. There are a lot of kids who talk about what they want to do, and have big goals, but don’t know about accomplishing them.”

Pat Hazel assessment from Jordan Classic

One of our most faithful readers (and a certified basketball junkie who can't get enough prep and college hoops) attended the Jordan Classic this past weekend at MSG.

Thankfully he was kind enough to share his thoughts on incoming PF Patrick Hazel......many thanks!:

(Patrick Hazel) Sets picks, scores off low post feeds, totally an under the basket offense with good hands. Decent FT form, good on the ball defender.

He had 8 points, on 3 for 5 shooting and 2 of 3 FTs, 3 fouls in under 20 minutes. He was the backup center.

Good athlete, at 6'7, 220 lbs can bang inside and defend. Enthusiastic and good teammate as he passes to the open man. Weight-wise, Hazel is slightly smaller than Dwight Burke, but is quicker/more athletic.

Past MU players he most reminds me of : Jon Harris or Terry Sanders"

Here's a nice blurb from the Sunday New York Post about Hazel.

Tom Konchalski (said) .... "He has a great work ethic and desire," the longtime recruiting expert said. "That's why he's going to the Big East."

Patrick Hazel in the Jordan Classic

MU commit Patrick Hazel, the 6'7" power forward from Blair Academy via Queens, will suit up in the Jordan Classic this Saturday in New York City. The Jordan Classic features two games at Madison Square Garden - - the regional game followed by the higher-profile Jordan Brand All-American Classic.

The regional showcase tips off at 5:30pm CDT on Saturday. The game will be webcast exclusively at the High School Basketball Network.

Hazel will suit up for the Suburban Team where he'll be joined by fellow Big East signees Mike Coburn (Rutgers), Rashad Bishop (Cincy), and Corey Chandler (Rutgers). Adam Zagoria has details on the games here.

For a complete look at the rosters for the Regional Team tilt, click here.

BTW, here's a highlight video of Hazel from his days at Bayside High School in Queens -- looks like this is a couple of years old (Hazel played for two seasons at Blair Academy).

Patrick Hazel, its time for your close-up

Todd Rosiak's series on the incoming Marquette freshmen continues today with a blog about Patrick Hazel. Hazel, a 6-7 forward from Queens by way of Blair Academy in New Jersey, figures to compete for playing time right away next season.

Take it away, Todd.

Looking ahead to 2007-2008

Todd Rosiak takes a much needed look ahead for the Marquette hoops program in today's Journal-Sentinel.

The priority area for improvement? No surprise, its MU's inconsistent front line.

The good news is MU will have Ousmane Barro back for his senior season. The 6'10" junior showed marked improvement last year, averaging better than 9 ppg and 7 rpg. Did Barro disappear at inopportune times last season? Sure -- but he's at least a serviceable big man.

The bad news is that Barro has litle to help to count on along the baseline. Dwight Burke will be back, but during his sophomore season he failed to seize the opportunities presented to him by an underperforminng Jamil Lott an an oft-injured Mike Kinsella. Given his size and strength there's still hope for Burke to emerge as a valuable role player -- but why couldn't he do it this past season?

Its time to look to the kids. MU has three 'big' men signed for next season: Trevor Mbakwe, Damian Saunders and Patrick Hazel. Per Rosiak, "At this point, only the 6-foot-7, 225-pound Mbakwe, a superlative athlete with a 7-2 wingspan, appears ready to make an immediate impact." Good call, Todd. Mbakwe will contribute from day one -- exactly what TC needs next season.

I think Rosiak is underestimating Hazel, a prep-school strong man from Queens. While Hazel won't score effectively as a freshman, his toughness and hustle should make a difference for the 2007-2008 team. Saunders? He's a 6'7" 190-pound forward - - he's a couple of years away from contributing.

And while James will dabble in possibly departing for the NBA -- MU has the 2006 MAC freshman of the year Maurice Acker waiting in the wings to assume the poing guard duties, and super shooter Scott Christopherson joining the backcourt mix as well.

Lots of promise in this program. If James stays and Mbakwe can contribute -- next year could be special.

Recruit Report: Jordan Theodore, Nick Williams, Patrick Hazel and Jonathan Baldwin

• Jordan Theodore, one of the top PGs on the East Coast in the class of 2008 and a key target for Tom Crean, led his Paterson Catholic squad to an 86-52 victory over Pompton Lakes last night. Theodore had 16 points. The box score is here.

• Looks like the season is over for MU signee Patrick Hazel -- his Blair Academy squad fell in double OT last night to Hun (Princeton). Hun is led by former MU target and St. Joe's signee Idris Hilliard. Hazel had 10 points last night.

• Nick Williams, a talented 2G from Mobile who commited to MU last summer, led his top-ranked LeFlore Rattlers to a convincing 63-47 win over the second-ranked Opelika Bulldogs on Wednesday night. Williams led LeFlore with 19 points. LeFlore (29-3) plays in the Alabama 6A South Regional final this afternoon against No. 4 Enterprise High School. Good luck, Nick!

• Meanwhile junior Jonathan Baldwin's Aliquippa Quips square off against Monessen in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs tomorrow at 2:30pm EST. Good luck, Jonathan!