Welcome to the 2nd installment of The War Room for 2020. As always, I'll begin this session with the ground rules for those that may be new. Everything that is reported in The War Room must stay in The War Room. Sometimes the info is sensitive enough that it simply doesn't need to be passed on beyond the doors of this message board thread.
This is a special feature for our subscribers only. The reason why it is posted on the premium board is because that's the only way to ensure that the info stays exclusive to Dayton Flyer fans. Thanks for your cooperation.
Without further ado, here it is.... The 2nd edition of the War Room for 2020!
WELL DESERVED EXTENSION
Ladies and Gentlemen, your Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year is the guy that leads the program that is near and dear to your heart. Not everyone was on the Anthony Grant bandwagon when he was introduced as the head coach when Archie Miller left, but I’m guessing he’s won most of those over that weren’t.
This is a bullet point on a resume now that will be impressive to share with a recruit and his family. Hopefully coaching a Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year can also be added and then an NBA Lottery Pick when the NBA Draft takes place this summer. He’s proven a lot in his three years at Dayton, more than anything it’s what I’ve seen transpire from year one to year three about the way the players feel about him and each other.
Next logical thing is to lock him up for the long term because there’s always going to be that negative recruitment that a school like Miami (FL) is home and will come hard after him, or perhaps he could have a shot at the NBA. His extension I am told is done. I would expect some escalators in the contract for winning a conference title, advancing in the NCAA tournament, etc.. And I haven’t heard exact numbers, but I am hearing the potential to earn more than what the school offered Archie on his way out.
I think they’re anxious to announce the extension to help in recruiting, but they’ve been holding off for a reason. They wanted to be respectful to the Naismith award announcements over the past two days so I look for the official announcement to come as early as the beginning of next week.
TRANSFERS
If there’s anything that has been evident since the end of the season, it’s that Dayton is definitely in the market to land a transfer or two on the recruiting trails. They’re involved with sit-out transfers, they’re involved with grad transfers, they’re involved with guard transfers, they’re involved with forward transfers.
Above all, they are looking for a plug and play four that can come in and help right away. I think that’s why everyone, myself included, sees Brandon Johnson as one of the top targets available. He can score at multiple levels, rebounds, and play physical.
Anthony Solomon is leading up Johnson’s recruitment as well as Duke’s Alex O’Connell’s. I haven’t been able to confirm this, but have heard rumors that O’Connell may be able to graduate and become eligible immediately. Despite the report I got that O’Connell could be down to a couple schools already, I was told that some of the schools involved didn’t think that was the case.
The other transfer we’ve heard a lot about is 6-5 Illinois guard Alan Griffin. I’m told Dayton has a really good shot as Obi Toppin has been heavily involved in trying to get him to transfer to the Flyers. The two of them are very close from their time in Ossining and to see what Dayton did for Obi cannot be understated in this recruitment.
RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT
Although some feel very strongly that Chase Johnson won’t return as a Dayton Flyer, I am told that is not definitely not a done deal at this moment. I’m expecting to hear something on him over the next couple of weeks as well.
There is some hope that Johnson has progressed in his time away from the program. Citing his athleticism and fit in the style of play, my source was hopeful this could still work out.
I’m told that the Jhery Matos transfers opens up the possibility of him returning without any expectations. And with the biggest glaring need to be an impactful four, he would add some nice insurance depth if he’s able to return.
If he does not come back, I could see Dayton’s recruitment picking up for Samford transfer Robert Allen. He was the second leading scorer and second leading rebounder on his team this past season. He’d have to sit out one year and have two years of eligibility remaining. I think they’re keeping him warm at the moment, but that could change very rapidly depending on a few other dominoes.
2020 CLASS
I’ve been reading the talk, saw the proposed hot board, and even the voting poll. Yes, there is a lot of talk about transfers because that’s the new thing going on right now in college basketball. I am cautioned though, when it comes to Dayton, don’t sleep on their 2020 recruiting efforts before that.
Two high school names that I keep hearing in my conversations are Tony Sanders Jr. and Dillon Jones. Both small forwards enjoyed solid seasons while Dayton kept track of them. Two different recruiting levels though as Sanders seems to be getting the attention of a lot more major colleges.
Dillon Jones is a 6-6 versatile forward from Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas that can score and share the ball. I am told the Flyers love his skillset, but are evaluating closely how much he would be able to contribute right away for them. The Columbia, South Carolina native received an offer from South Carolina in 2018, and his most recent offers include Grand Canyon, Missouri State, Weber State, and Western Carolina. It seems Charleston is the biggest competition for this selfless player at the moment.
Hard to believe it, but Sanders Jr. took his official visit to the University of Dayton almost two months ago. Sanders was in attendance for the Saint Louis win and he’s posted things about Dayton well after his visit on his social media accounts. He picked up a Notre Dame offer earlier this week though, but will they be able to overcome obvious restrictions in place right now? Tony’s recruitment reminds me a lot of Josh Cunningham’s transfer where he took his visit to UD, the Flyers felt were quietly in good position, but it took some time for the recruit to make it official. Knowing how Anthony Grant has felt about Sanders all along, hopefully it ends the same way with Sanders announcing his commitment soon.
CLOSING
That does it for this edition of the War Room! A formal welcome to the new subscribers and a thank you to you long, loyal subscribers. You all are the reason why this site is the best place to talk Dayton basketball all year round. Lets all keep our fingers crossed that Obi Toppin wins the Naismith Award today! I hope everyone and their families remain healthy and stay safe. God Bless you all! WE ARE…
This is a special feature for our subscribers only. The reason why it is posted on the premium board is because that's the only way to ensure that the info stays exclusive to Dayton Flyer fans. Thanks for your cooperation.
Without further ado, here it is.... The 2nd edition of the War Room for 2020!
WELL DESERVED EXTENSION
Ladies and Gentlemen, your Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year is the guy that leads the program that is near and dear to your heart. Not everyone was on the Anthony Grant bandwagon when he was introduced as the head coach when Archie Miller left, but I’m guessing he’s won most of those over that weren’t.
This is a bullet point on a resume now that will be impressive to share with a recruit and his family. Hopefully coaching a Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year can also be added and then an NBA Lottery Pick when the NBA Draft takes place this summer. He’s proven a lot in his three years at Dayton, more than anything it’s what I’ve seen transpire from year one to year three about the way the players feel about him and each other.
Next logical thing is to lock him up for the long term because there’s always going to be that negative recruitment that a school like Miami (FL) is home and will come hard after him, or perhaps he could have a shot at the NBA. His extension I am told is done. I would expect some escalators in the contract for winning a conference title, advancing in the NCAA tournament, etc.. And I haven’t heard exact numbers, but I am hearing the potential to earn more than what the school offered Archie on his way out.
I think they’re anxious to announce the extension to help in recruiting, but they’ve been holding off for a reason. They wanted to be respectful to the Naismith award announcements over the past two days so I look for the official announcement to come as early as the beginning of next week.
TRANSFERS
If there’s anything that has been evident since the end of the season, it’s that Dayton is definitely in the market to land a transfer or two on the recruiting trails. They’re involved with sit-out transfers, they’re involved with grad transfers, they’re involved with guard transfers, they’re involved with forward transfers.
Above all, they are looking for a plug and play four that can come in and help right away. I think that’s why everyone, myself included, sees Brandon Johnson as one of the top targets available. He can score at multiple levels, rebounds, and play physical.
Anthony Solomon is leading up Johnson’s recruitment as well as Duke’s Alex O’Connell’s. I haven’t been able to confirm this, but have heard rumors that O’Connell may be able to graduate and become eligible immediately. Despite the report I got that O’Connell could be down to a couple schools already, I was told that some of the schools involved didn’t think that was the case.
The other transfer we’ve heard a lot about is 6-5 Illinois guard Alan Griffin. I’m told Dayton has a really good shot as Obi Toppin has been heavily involved in trying to get him to transfer to the Flyers. The two of them are very close from their time in Ossining and to see what Dayton did for Obi cannot be understated in this recruitment.
RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT
Although some feel very strongly that Chase Johnson won’t return as a Dayton Flyer, I am told that is not definitely not a done deal at this moment. I’m expecting to hear something on him over the next couple of weeks as well.
There is some hope that Johnson has progressed in his time away from the program. Citing his athleticism and fit in the style of play, my source was hopeful this could still work out.
I’m told that the Jhery Matos transfers opens up the possibility of him returning without any expectations. And with the biggest glaring need to be an impactful four, he would add some nice insurance depth if he’s able to return.
If he does not come back, I could see Dayton’s recruitment picking up for Samford transfer Robert Allen. He was the second leading scorer and second leading rebounder on his team this past season. He’d have to sit out one year and have two years of eligibility remaining. I think they’re keeping him warm at the moment, but that could change very rapidly depending on a few other dominoes.
2020 CLASS
I’ve been reading the talk, saw the proposed hot board, and even the voting poll. Yes, there is a lot of talk about transfers because that’s the new thing going on right now in college basketball. I am cautioned though, when it comes to Dayton, don’t sleep on their 2020 recruiting efforts before that.
Two high school names that I keep hearing in my conversations are Tony Sanders Jr. and Dillon Jones. Both small forwards enjoyed solid seasons while Dayton kept track of them. Two different recruiting levels though as Sanders seems to be getting the attention of a lot more major colleges.
Dillon Jones is a 6-6 versatile forward from Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas that can score and share the ball. I am told the Flyers love his skillset, but are evaluating closely how much he would be able to contribute right away for them. The Columbia, South Carolina native received an offer from South Carolina in 2018, and his most recent offers include Grand Canyon, Missouri State, Weber State, and Western Carolina. It seems Charleston is the biggest competition for this selfless player at the moment.
Hard to believe it, but Sanders Jr. took his official visit to the University of Dayton almost two months ago. Sanders was in attendance for the Saint Louis win and he’s posted things about Dayton well after his visit on his social media accounts. He picked up a Notre Dame offer earlier this week though, but will they be able to overcome obvious restrictions in place right now? Tony’s recruitment reminds me a lot of Josh Cunningham’s transfer where he took his visit to UD, the Flyers felt were quietly in good position, but it took some time for the recruit to make it official. Knowing how Anthony Grant has felt about Sanders all along, hopefully it ends the same way with Sanders announcing his commitment soon.
CLOSING
That does it for this edition of the War Room! A formal welcome to the new subscribers and a thank you to you long, loyal subscribers. You all are the reason why this site is the best place to talk Dayton basketball all year round. Lets all keep our fingers crossed that Obi Toppin wins the Naismith Award today! I hope everyone and their families remain healthy and stay safe. God Bless you all! WE ARE…
