The 3-2-1: First live evaluation period recap

In this week's 3-2-1 column, we examine AAU basketball's first live evaluation period, which began Friday and ended Sunday afternoon.

✓ (1) July 12 (5 p.m.) – 16 (5 p.m.)

(2) July 19 (5 p.m.) – 23 (5 p.m.)

(3) July 26 (5 p.m.) – 30 (5 p.m.)

1 - Joey Hauser could decide before Aug. 1

Prior to this weekend, it was believed Joey Hauser (Iowa Barnstormers) would likely take official visits before he made a final decision. That may no longer be the case. According to Rivals.com's Corey Evans, the four-star prospect and top target for Wisconsin in the 2018 class could decide before Aug. 1. UW, Michigan State and Marquette are the front runners.

"After missing most of his senior summer due to an injury, Joey Hauser looked his best yet on Friday afternoon as he and his Iowa Barnstormers program took good care of its opposition. A top-50 forward that has become lighter of foot, more skilled and capable of extending the defense with the perimeter jump shot, Hauser has the chance to become one of the most difficult matchup issues at the college level in the coming years.

Watched by head coaches from Oklahoma, Virginia, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Marquette, Hauser, the younger brother of Marquette rising sophomore Sam Hauser, may be ready to call it a day with his college recruitment. He talked highly about a top-four of Michigan State, Wisconsin, Marquette and Notre Dame and indicated that a commitment could take place before the end of July. Stay tuned."

In a follow up with Evans, BadgerBlitz.com was told the Badgers are riding a good deal of momentum in Hauser's recruitment.

"Very much so (momentum in favor of Wisconsin)," Evans said. "I think Wisconsin or Marquette. Commit in a week or two."

Should UW land Hauser, the No. 43 player in the country, he would join a class that already includes Tyler Herro, who is ranked 57th in the nation. Pairing those two with a 2017 class that includes Nathan Reuvers, Brad Davison and Kobe King could have UW fans thinking about national titles.

2 - Greg Gard was ahead of the curve on DJ Carton

Fresh off a scholarship from Wisconsin after a strong performance at its advanced camp, 2019 point guard DJ Carton impressed this weekend at the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational with assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in attendance (Thursday and Friday). More schools, including Ohio State, Minnesota, Iowa and Creighton, among others, could get involved in the near future.

“I’m just going to keep making relationships with other coaches and see which college fits me best,” Carton told BadgerBlitz.com Thursday.

Credit the staff for identifying and offering Carton, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound lead guard, early in the process.

3 - Playground Warriors 15U squad is loaded

The Wisconsin Playground Warriors, led by Badgers target Jalen Johnson, won the Under Armour Association 15U title in Atlanta this weekend. A 6-foot-6 sophomore from Sun Prairie, Johnson, who already has an offer from UW, scored 12 points - including the game-winner - during a 70-68 win over the New York Gauchos.

The Warriors squad also features a number of other Wisconsin targets, a list that includes Mason Madsen, Terrance Thompson, Johnny Davis, Jordan Davis, Jamari Sibley and Gabe Madsen.

This group is expected to be in Mequon, Wis., for the second session (July 19-23) at the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam.

1. Who is next in line for an offer in 2018?

It's a question Wisconsin fans don't want to see answered, but having a Plan B if Hauser goes elsewhere is necessary. Long-time targets Race Thompson - favoring Indiana - and Jarvis Thomas-Omersa - trending towards Minnesota - have likley been replaced George Conditt and Jaxson Hayes, according to the staff's activity this weekend.

A 6-foot-10, 200-pound rising senior from Chicago, Conditt attended UW's advanced camp and impressed the coaching staff. He currently has offers from Illinois, Iowa State and Arizona State, among others. Hayes, a one-time football recruit at wide receiver, has blossomed a bit later on the hardwood. The 6-foot-9, 195-pound forward from Cincinnati entered the weekend with 15-plus mid-major offers but picked up a big scholarship from Xavier.

Again, an avenue Wisconsin doesn't want to navigate, but keep an eye on those two if it's necessary.

2. If Wisconsin lands Hauser...

... Will 2018 be the best class ever for the Badgers?

On paper, Wisconsin's two-man class of Joe Krabbenhoft (five-star) and Marcus Landry (three-star) was rated very highly in 2005. And prior to 2017, the last time UW landed two or more four-star prospects in the same class was Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes in 2006. They were joined by in-stater J.P. Gavinski, whose three-star rating was too high.

The last chance UW had a chance to pull off something similar - locking down two big-time in-state prospects - was in 2011 with Sam Dekker (No. 13) and J.P. Tokoto (No. 45), but Tokoto picked North Carolina over Wisconsin.

Wisconsin will land two of its top three targets in the 2019 class: Nobal Days, who played up this weekend for Playground Elite's 17U squad, and Carton, who we discussed above. Five-star Matthew Hurt is the only other prospect in the junior class with a known offer from the Badgers.

As mentioned with Carton, the ability to target and offer early should go a long way with both.