Jeff Potrykus and Ben Steele

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Brothers Sam and Joey Hauser sent shock waves through the college basketball world Monday when they announced they were transferring from Marquette.

Teammates from their days at Stevens Point Area High School, the Hausers are expected to land at the same school once more. Most teams in the country would welcome the brothers, both of whom shot at least 40% from three-point range last season, and reportedly their recruitment is wide open.

Where will they end up? Wisconsin, Virginia and Michigan State are the three programs mentioned prominently.

UW's coaches cannot comment on the Hausers, but sources outside the program have told the Journal Sentinel the Badgers have emerged as the most logical and favored landing spot because of several factors.

UW currently has three scholarships available and could add the Hausers without having to manage the roster. Neither Michigan State nor Virginia is currently in that position.

Former UW coach Bo Ryan did not offer Sam Hauser a scholarship in 2016, largely because the Badgers were looking to add a guard. Although that stung the Hauser family and was a factor in Sam signing with Marquette, it is clear that current head coach Greg Gard covets both players.

Gard and his staff did all they could to sign Joey, but in the end the allure of playing with his brother at Marquette was too much to overcome.

RELATED:Former SPASH coach says Hauser transfers are about finding 'a better fit'

In terms of basketball skills, the Hausers would fit seamlessly into the UW offense because Gard covets big men who can shoot from the perimeter.

Sam, at 6-foot-8, shot 45.3% from three-point range as a freshman, 48.7% as a sophomore and 40.0% last season. He also shot 92.4% from the free-throw line as a junior.

Joey, 6-9, shot 42.3% from three-point range and 80% from the free-throw line as a redshirt freshman last season.

Sam has developed into a solid defensive player. Joey struggled at times defensively but most freshmen do, and UW employs a completely different system than Marquette's.

Being comfortable in the UW locker room wouldn't be an issue, either.

UW guard Trevor Anderson played with the Hausers in high school and remains close to the brothers.

According to a college basketball source, Joey felt comfortable with the UW players during his official visit two summers ago.

In addition, Sam's girlfriend, M.E. Dodge, is a member of the UW volleyball team.

Here is a look at the Hausers' fits with those schools.

Both players will sit out next season in accordance with NCAA rules. Sam will then have one year of eligibility remaining. Joey's situation is more complicated since he enrolled early at MU and took a redshirt season. He can play two more seasons but would need to be granted an NCAA waiver for a third.

WISCONSIN

Connection: In addition to Anderson and Dodge, the Hausers' dad, Dave, played basketball at Minnesota-Duluth with UW guard Brad Davison's father. UW did not offer a scholarship to Sam in 2016, but Joey was highly coveted by the Badgers in the 2018 class.

Roster outlook: The Badgers could absorb the Hausers next season, with three scholarship slots open. In 2020-'21, the Hausers would add more inside-outside punch with Nate Reuvers and space the floor for Davison, Kobe King, D'Mitrik Trice and Aleem Ford.

Basketball fit: The Hausers' versatility would seem to blend perfectly with the offense run by Gard. The brothers' lack of physicality on the defensive end could be exposed in the Big Ten.

MICHIGAN STATE

Connection: The Spartans went after Joey hard when he was a top 100 recruit at Stevens Point.

Roster outlook: Michigan State would need two scholarships to open up for next season when the Hausers are sitting out; all 13 slots were spoken for as of Tuesday. But the Spartans would be in rebuilding mode for 20-'21, with key players Cassius Winston, Nick Ward and Joshua Langford slated to be seniors next season. The Hausers would provide some outside punch alongside the physical Xavier Tillman and the athletic Aaron Henry.

Basketball fit: Tom Izzo is famously demanding of his players, especially on the defensive end. The Hausers' lack of elite athleticism has led to some mismatches on that end. On the other end, Izzo would love the brothers' versatility and ability to create space for guards to attack.

VIRGINIA

Connection: Tony Bennett, coach of the national champion Cavaliers, recruited both Hauser brothers. Bennett played at Stevens Point High School before finishing at Green Bay Preble. Virginia assistant coach Brad Soderberg is also from Stevens Point.

Roster outlook: The Cavaliers' roster is in flux with Kyle Guy testing the NBA draft waters on Tuesday, potentially opening a second scholarship spot (though Guy held open the possibility of returning to school). But the roster could change with more departures for the NBA. Virginia still would have a couple key players in 20-'21 with point guard Kihei Clark and big man Jay Huff.

Basketball fit: The Hausers aren't one-on-one stoppers defensively, but they could be good fits as team defenders in Bennett's "pack-line defense." Virginia's "blocker-mover" offense seems tailor-made for the Hausers, who can make smart reads and create mismatches.