Welcome to the 4th installment of The War Room for 2021! 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 4th edition of the War Room for 2021!
2022... WHAT TO DO?
As of right now, the Dayton Flyers do not have a scholarship available for the 2022 recruiting class. And this seems to be a point that the staff is struggling with at the current time. They haven’t put much effort into that class and have instead tried to make headway with some of the top 2023s on their board.
Supposedly there has been a lot of dialogue between the coaching staff about whether or not to oversign and take a commitment for 2022, despite the unavailability of a scholarship currently with that recruiting class.
Only one time in my 20-plus years of covering the Flyers do I remember Dayton oversigning when a scholarship was not available and that was in the Archie Miller era. I remember at the time being stressed to me that other programs do it all the time, but there is always concern. Concern for those guys currently on the roster that one of them won’t be back next year. In this day in age of the transfer, there will be inevitably at least one defection. I think with the current roster, there would be at least one anyways so I think the risk of oversigning is worth it.
From what I’ve been told, they wouldn’t do it for just any 2022 recruit, they would really have to love him. The conversation currently centers around Cretin Durham Hall (MN) guard Tre Holloman. James Kane is his head recruiter and would like to bring him in for a visit. The staff is currently debating and the expectation is if they do bring him in for a visit, they’re bringing him in with the hopes of getting a commitment. Should make for an interesting August.
FILL THE CUPPS
One thing has become clearer over the last six weeks, Gabe Cupps has become a top target on Dayton’s recruiting board since evaluation began. The Flyers offered Cupps back on June 24th and I was wondering if it was “I love him and he’s the highest of priority” offer or it was a “I like what I’ve seen so far and we’ll continue to evaluate him.”
Clearly, I am now under the impression that he is a very high priority on Anthony Grant’s recruiting board. They’ve been watching him very closely in the past couple of months and the word I am getting is that the staff really loves the kid.
It was definitely nice to see Cupps at the Obi Toppin Camp this week and even better to see the video that Professionally Lowd posted of him dunking at the camp—with some help. I’m a firm believer that the more memorable moments a kid has at a certain school, the better the chance this kid wants to make more memories there for college.
They were supposed to have him on campus for a visit a while back, but Dayton had to unexpectedly cancel with the intention of rescheduling. I fully expect that this visit gets rescheduled quickly once the calendar flips to August.
BIG EAST PLUS
The talk of teams shifting conferences within football seems to always dip into conference realignment/expansion for basketball as well. Well, the talk of Oklahoma and Texas trying to join the SEC for football has brought up the topic of dominoes falling and ultimately the Big East expanding.
From what I have gathered, a couple of the schools in the Big East really got hit hard financially with the lack of fans during COVID 2020-2021 season. Dayton was not immune to it and took a pretty substantial hit as well, but not as bad as those schools.
I’ve been told that there has been dialogue between Dayton and the Big East in the past couple of weeks. While the conversation was said to be very positive, I am getting to the point though, that I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ve optimistic by nature, but I’ve been hearing this same conversation for years now.
Ultimately, I do believe that Dayton will end up there. When? That’s a good question. My gut tells me it makes too much sense that the marriage will indeed eventually happen, but will be when the Big East has no other choice? Dayton is trending upward under AG and serious consideration should be given right now.
PRACTICE REPORT
I’ve been in and out this summer with my son’s baseball and actually am typing this War Room from the Prospect Games in Chicago currently, but I have maintained talks with a lot of my sources all summer and been asking about the current team and how they’ve looked since arriving on campus.
The reports I have been getting is very encouraging. First, I’ve heard great feedback on the returning guys and how they appear to be taking the next steps as “the veterans of the squad.” Very, very high on Koby Brea (even mentioned as a starter), R.J. Blakney has matured both on and off the court, and Mustapha Amzil has physically became so much stronger already.
The two biggest encouraging bit of news that I’ve been consistently told is how good Malachi Smith and Lynn Greer III look. After losing Jalen Crutcher, Rodney Chatman, and Ibi Watson, backcourt was a legitimate worry. With the youth of the aforementioned two, it still is. But I’ve been told Smith is an absolute STUD and Greer looks more like a second or third year player than he does a true freshman.
A couple other exciting elements that I’ve been told is that this team can really shoot it and they are a gritty group with some real toughness. For me, last year’s group lacked the toughness that I had seen from Dayton teams of the last decade. For me, that’s one of the biggest compliments a team can be given and makes me even more excited to see this group this fall. There will be some growing pains most likely this season, but the future is so incredibly bright. The return of the Red and Blue Game can’t get here soon enough!
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. Enjoy the TBT this weekend, hopefully the Red Scare have another run in them this year and they can get a Championship game in front of the Flyer Faithful! I hope you all have a great weekend! Until next time, 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 4th edition of the War Room for 2021!
2022... WHAT TO DO?
As of right now, the Dayton Flyers do not have a scholarship available for the 2022 recruiting class. And this seems to be a point that the staff is struggling with at the current time. They haven’t put much effort into that class and have instead tried to make headway with some of the top 2023s on their board.
Supposedly there has been a lot of dialogue between the coaching staff about whether or not to oversign and take a commitment for 2022, despite the unavailability of a scholarship currently with that recruiting class.
Only one time in my 20-plus years of covering the Flyers do I remember Dayton oversigning when a scholarship was not available and that was in the Archie Miller era. I remember at the time being stressed to me that other programs do it all the time, but there is always concern. Concern for those guys currently on the roster that one of them won’t be back next year. In this day in age of the transfer, there will be inevitably at least one defection. I think with the current roster, there would be at least one anyways so I think the risk of oversigning is worth it.
From what I’ve been told, they wouldn’t do it for just any 2022 recruit, they would really have to love him. The conversation currently centers around Cretin Durham Hall (MN) guard Tre Holloman. James Kane is his head recruiter and would like to bring him in for a visit. The staff is currently debating and the expectation is if they do bring him in for a visit, they’re bringing him in with the hopes of getting a commitment. Should make for an interesting August.
FILL THE CUPPS
One thing has become clearer over the last six weeks, Gabe Cupps has become a top target on Dayton’s recruiting board since evaluation began. The Flyers offered Cupps back on June 24th and I was wondering if it was “I love him and he’s the highest of priority” offer or it was a “I like what I’ve seen so far and we’ll continue to evaluate him.”
Clearly, I am now under the impression that he is a very high priority on Anthony Grant’s recruiting board. They’ve been watching him very closely in the past couple of months and the word I am getting is that the staff really loves the kid.
It was definitely nice to see Cupps at the Obi Toppin Camp this week and even better to see the video that Professionally Lowd posted of him dunking at the camp—with some help. I’m a firm believer that the more memorable moments a kid has at a certain school, the better the chance this kid wants to make more memories there for college.
They were supposed to have him on campus for a visit a while back, but Dayton had to unexpectedly cancel with the intention of rescheduling. I fully expect that this visit gets rescheduled quickly once the calendar flips to August.
BIG EAST PLUS
The talk of teams shifting conferences within football seems to always dip into conference realignment/expansion for basketball as well. Well, the talk of Oklahoma and Texas trying to join the SEC for football has brought up the topic of dominoes falling and ultimately the Big East expanding.
From what I have gathered, a couple of the schools in the Big East really got hit hard financially with the lack of fans during COVID 2020-2021 season. Dayton was not immune to it and took a pretty substantial hit as well, but not as bad as those schools.
I’ve been told that there has been dialogue between Dayton and the Big East in the past couple of weeks. While the conversation was said to be very positive, I am getting to the point though, that I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ve optimistic by nature, but I’ve been hearing this same conversation for years now.
Ultimately, I do believe that Dayton will end up there. When? That’s a good question. My gut tells me it makes too much sense that the marriage will indeed eventually happen, but will be when the Big East has no other choice? Dayton is trending upward under AG and serious consideration should be given right now.
PRACTICE REPORT
I’ve been in and out this summer with my son’s baseball and actually am typing this War Room from the Prospect Games in Chicago currently, but I have maintained talks with a lot of my sources all summer and been asking about the current team and how they’ve looked since arriving on campus.
The reports I have been getting is very encouraging. First, I’ve heard great feedback on the returning guys and how they appear to be taking the next steps as “the veterans of the squad.” Very, very high on Koby Brea (even mentioned as a starter), R.J. Blakney has matured both on and off the court, and Mustapha Amzil has physically became so much stronger already.
The two biggest encouraging bit of news that I’ve been consistently told is how good Malachi Smith and Lynn Greer III look. After losing Jalen Crutcher, Rodney Chatman, and Ibi Watson, backcourt was a legitimate worry. With the youth of the aforementioned two, it still is. But I’ve been told Smith is an absolute STUD and Greer looks more like a second or third year player than he does a true freshman.
A couple other exciting elements that I’ve been told is that this team can really shoot it and they are a gritty group with some real toughness. For me, last year’s group lacked the toughness that I had seen from Dayton teams of the last decade. For me, that’s one of the biggest compliments a team can be given and makes me even more excited to see this group this fall. There will be some growing pains most likely this season, but the future is so incredibly bright. The return of the Red and Blue Game can’t get here soon enough!
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. Enjoy the TBT this weekend, hopefully the Red Scare have another run in them this year and they can get a Championship game in front of the Flyer Faithful! I hope you all have a great weekend! Until next time, WE ARE...
