Welcome to the 7th 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 7th edition of the War Room for 2020!
CASTING FOR INFO
With it seemingly quiet on almost every front, I thought it was time to get everybody huddled up and let you know the whispers I am hearing on a few key topics. First, and foremost, the most immediate topic with us being a week away from a decision is Rafael Castro.
As we know, he trimmed his list to a Top 3 that included Dayton, Miami (FL), and Providence. As all of you FlyerHoops investigators have found out, every school feels like they are in a good position to land him.
From what I have gathered on this, I believe Dayton has a slight edge on Providence right now and Miami is behind those two. The other thing that Dayton has working for them is Koby Brea and Rafael Castro are tight. Brian Coleman has also known Anthony Solomon for a very long time. Relationships always help!
Again, one camp says Miami, one camp says Providence, I am hearing Dayton slightly ahead. I’ll expect to get more clarity hopefully by middle of next week with an ultimate decision being announced on his dad’s birthday on Friday, October 9th. Hopefully, some great news for Anthony Grant when everything else seems very quiet around the program.
DARON DARON
The other big name on Dayton’s Hot Board is Montverde Academy’s DaRon Holmes Jr., a nationally ranked big man in the Top 50 for 2021. Last time we spoke, I talked about what a great job Dayton has done to be in his final four, but as I was always told in sports—There are no moral victories!
And that’s exactly the approach it sounds like Dayton’s coaches are taking. They’re not going to be happy with a second place finish, they want to the first prize. It’s evident, too, that DaRon feels the love from Dayton fans and coaches in his quotes to 247Sports. (I’m hoping to talk to him and his father this weekend as attempts to get ahold of them this week were unsuccessful.)
I’m hearing that it’s a close three horse race for Holmes between Dayton, Marquette, and Arizona. While he may ultimately end up at Arizona, I’m told the allure and appeal of playing at home for the big name college isn’t what you’d expect with Holmes.
So with that, I’m hearing that at current moment Marquette and Dayton may be 1A and 1B with Arizona at 2 or maybe even a 1C. I haven’t really heard that Cal is much of a threat. As I have said before, you have tip your your cap to Coach Greer has done a phenomenal job.
RECRUITING CALENDAR
For those of you that may have missed it, the NCAA extended the Dead Period through January 1, 2021. What that means is there are no official or unofficial visits, no on or off campus evaluations. They’ll still be able to do Phone/Zoom calls and text and email with the recruits.
There was some hope and optimism with the way professional sports had been conducted over the summer and the fact that we now have college football, that recruiting visits would be the next thing to be brought back.
My personal hope was that they would at least bring back official visits, schools would be responsibility for rapid testing the recruit and his travel party and anyone they come in contact with on their visit. Major League Baseball just completed the regular season and had very little disruption without an NBA-like bubble (at least after the first couple weeks).
Yes it’s challenging for coaches, especially Dayton, when your campus and facilities are your major assets to sell. Ultimately though, I feel awful for the juniors and seniors who are having to make the equivalent decision of buying a house based on online tours and realtor.com pictures.
SCHEDULING
Last week, I heard a rumor on scheduling that made a lot of sense. The Battle of Ohio that we have all been clamoring to see was being pushed for hard this season as a way to get quality games and keep travel to a minimum.
Obvoiusly, I’m talking about the four-team Ohio tournament between Dayton, Xavier, Cincinnati, and Ohio State. Of course, you could probably guess, I’ve heard that Neil Sullivan is the one really pushing hard for it. And of course, ultimately, it would need to have Ohio State’s blessing for it to happen.
With exempt tournaments getting postponed and some other non-conference games, it makes all the sense in the world—especially for a team like Dayton that relies so heavily on their non-conference schedule to build their NCAA resume.
With the curveball that has been dealt with COVID-19, if there was ever a time to experiment with such an idea, 2020 would be it. I think it’s getting to deep into the calendar year, and it may prove to be just wishful thinking, but it was another case of creative thinking by Dayton’s AD.
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. Everyone have a nice weekend, I'll be in Indianapolis for a travel baseball tournament. Hopefully, the coaching staff closes the deal next week on one of their big fishes. Until then, 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 7th edition of the War Room for 2020!
CASTING FOR INFO
With it seemingly quiet on almost every front, I thought it was time to get everybody huddled up and let you know the whispers I am hearing on a few key topics. First, and foremost, the most immediate topic with us being a week away from a decision is Rafael Castro.
As we know, he trimmed his list to a Top 3 that included Dayton, Miami (FL), and Providence. As all of you FlyerHoops investigators have found out, every school feels like they are in a good position to land him.
From what I have gathered on this, I believe Dayton has a slight edge on Providence right now and Miami is behind those two. The other thing that Dayton has working for them is Koby Brea and Rafael Castro are tight. Brian Coleman has also known Anthony Solomon for a very long time. Relationships always help!
Again, one camp says Miami, one camp says Providence, I am hearing Dayton slightly ahead. I’ll expect to get more clarity hopefully by middle of next week with an ultimate decision being announced on his dad’s birthday on Friday, October 9th. Hopefully, some great news for Anthony Grant when everything else seems very quiet around the program.
DARON DARON
The other big name on Dayton’s Hot Board is Montverde Academy’s DaRon Holmes Jr., a nationally ranked big man in the Top 50 for 2021. Last time we spoke, I talked about what a great job Dayton has done to be in his final four, but as I was always told in sports—There are no moral victories!
And that’s exactly the approach it sounds like Dayton’s coaches are taking. They’re not going to be happy with a second place finish, they want to the first prize. It’s evident, too, that DaRon feels the love from Dayton fans and coaches in his quotes to 247Sports. (I’m hoping to talk to him and his father this weekend as attempts to get ahold of them this week were unsuccessful.)
I’m hearing that it’s a close three horse race for Holmes between Dayton, Marquette, and Arizona. While he may ultimately end up at Arizona, I’m told the allure and appeal of playing at home for the big name college isn’t what you’d expect with Holmes.
So with that, I’m hearing that at current moment Marquette and Dayton may be 1A and 1B with Arizona at 2 or maybe even a 1C. I haven’t really heard that Cal is much of a threat. As I have said before, you have tip your your cap to Coach Greer has done a phenomenal job.
RECRUITING CALENDAR
For those of you that may have missed it, the NCAA extended the Dead Period through January 1, 2021. What that means is there are no official or unofficial visits, no on or off campus evaluations. They’ll still be able to do Phone/Zoom calls and text and email with the recruits.
There was some hope and optimism with the way professional sports had been conducted over the summer and the fact that we now have college football, that recruiting visits would be the next thing to be brought back.
My personal hope was that they would at least bring back official visits, schools would be responsibility for rapid testing the recruit and his travel party and anyone they come in contact with on their visit. Major League Baseball just completed the regular season and had very little disruption without an NBA-like bubble (at least after the first couple weeks).
Yes it’s challenging for coaches, especially Dayton, when your campus and facilities are your major assets to sell. Ultimately though, I feel awful for the juniors and seniors who are having to make the equivalent decision of buying a house based on online tours and realtor.com pictures.
SCHEDULING
Last week, I heard a rumor on scheduling that made a lot of sense. The Battle of Ohio that we have all been clamoring to see was being pushed for hard this season as a way to get quality games and keep travel to a minimum.
Obvoiusly, I’m talking about the four-team Ohio tournament between Dayton, Xavier, Cincinnati, and Ohio State. Of course, you could probably guess, I’ve heard that Neil Sullivan is the one really pushing hard for it. And of course, ultimately, it would need to have Ohio State’s blessing for it to happen.
With exempt tournaments getting postponed and some other non-conference games, it makes all the sense in the world—especially for a team like Dayton that relies so heavily on their non-conference schedule to build their NCAA resume.
With the curveball that has been dealt with COVID-19, if there was ever a time to experiment with such an idea, 2020 would be it. I think it’s getting to deep into the calendar year, and it may prove to be just wishful thinking, but it was another case of creative thinking by Dayton’s AD.
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. Everyone have a nice weekend, I'll be in Indianapolis for a travel baseball tournament. Hopefully, the coaching staff closes the deal next week on one of their big fishes. Until then, WE ARE...
