Welcome to the 1st installment of The War Room for the off-season of 2017. 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 1st edition of the War Room for the 2017 off-season!
QUESTION ON EVERYONE’S MIND
Obviously the topic on everyone’s mind is Archie Miller and his future. There was some anxiety when it was announced that Tom Crean was fired, but that was met with some optimism on Friday when I arrived in Indianapolis and realized the Hoosiers were aiming for the stars.
A few perspectives on this—From IU’s side, it seems as though they have broken down their candidates into pools. In the first pool, they’re shooting for a couple of proven college coaches that are now head coaches in the NBA—Billy Donovan and Brad Stevens. In the second tier, you have guys like Virginia’s Tony Bennett and UCLA’s Steve Alford. In the third tier, guys like Chris Mack, Chris Collins, Chris Holtmann, Archie Miller, etc. can be found. It could very easily go to the third tier before Indiana finds their man. A lot of noise right now out of Westwood though, but with UCLA still in the tournament, Indiana will do some exploring. I would expect at least a conversation between Indiana and many of these candidates.
Then you have from the other side. I spoke with someone close to Archie who didn’t view the Indiana job as a homerun job for the 38-year old. After Tom Crean was fired, it’s viewed as a job with “baggage.” The thought is, while Indiana is a great job, Archie doesn’t NEED to make this jump and can be even pickier--- “Like Sean was with Arizona.” I am told his family is there for guidance, but ultimately it will always be up to Archie.
From UD’s perspective… The rumor is true that Super Lark posted on the board yesterday, Dayton is indeed looking to boost Miller’s contract. He’s at roughly 2.4M right now, give or take a little, and they’re looking to push him to or over 3M. The rationale being, if Archie Miller decides to leave, it will not be because of a money. Dayton will give him everything they can, within their control, to compete with any other potential job openings from top 25 programs. They believe under Miller, they can build a consistent Top 25 program winner in Dayton.
I have not heard when it will be announced, Lark may be right and that it may happen this week. I can say that Neil Sullivan and Eric Spina are both ALL IN with Archie Miller being the head of the Dayton basketball program. Archie has talked before about that great relationship with Tim Wabler and now Sullivan, and Spina has brought that same mindset and love for basketball after his time at Syracuse. Bottom line, Dayton has almost everything to offer a head coach. They’ve given Archie almost everything he has ever asked for and more. He’s a loyal guy that feels he’ll be forever in debt to Dayton for taking a chance on him at 32 years old. Archie may leave tomorrow, next year, 10 years from now, or never. If he does, it will be one of the toughest decisions he’s ever made.
THE SULLIVAN PACT
I will make an emphatic statement right now. Neil Sullivan is one of the best young Athletic Directors in the country. He understands that Dayton basketball is the lifeblood of the department/university and Sullivan is being aggressive and innovative to make sure they stay ahead of any movement.
As we’ve heard is happening, the power five and Big East are trying to whittle out the smaller basketball schools and making it tough for them to schedule in the non-conference. With the talk of moving to 20 conference games, throw in exempt tournaments, and buy games, and all of a sudden opportunities on the big boys' schedule are almost non-existent.
Neil, being innovative, brainstormed an idea to aid these fringe programs like Dayton- strong basketball programs playing in non-Power Five/Big East conferences. He started with a large pool of schools with similar profiles—BYU, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Gonzaga, Illinois State, St. Mary’s, VCU, and Wichita State, etc.
The idea is anyone is enters in this pact, agrees to play two of the other members during the non-conference each season. Right now, I am told that there are six schools besides Dayton that are in the mix: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Gonzaga, San Diego State, SMU, and St. Mary’s. This should help build/strengthen relationships as well when it comes to conference expansion in the future. Innovative and Genius… Sullivan is the brain behind it.
ARENA
There was a rumor last week posted on Twitter by a Dayton fan account that rumors are that the announcement about the renovation were because of a possible new arena on the Fairgrounds. We’ve been hearing that rumor for 10+ years and I have serious doubts about it coming true anytime soon.
I was told by multiple sources this week that there are currently no plans for a new arena and that the plan go forward is indeed the state-of-the-art renovation of UD Arena. I was told the delay in the announcement is they still require some funding.
They are looking to raise 20-25 million right now to get the project going. They are seeking a dozen or two donors to kick in 500K to 1 million each and I’m told that there is one generous donor that pledged to matching gift of between 5-10 million.
They are still in the private solicitation phase, but things are said to be going very well and they are reportedly past the halfway mark of their initial goal. Once they hit their initial goal and have those commitments signed and on paper, the announcement will likely be soon after.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
What would a War Room be without some talk about the on-the-court personnel news. I was asked today on Mark Neal’s show if there were going to be any transfers and I told him that I would be surprised if at least one scholarship was not open for this fall.
The odd’s on favorite, in my mind, is Sam Milller. With only losing Kendall Pollard in the frontcourt, and Kostas Antetokounmpo becoming eligible, Josh Cunningham hopefully being healthy for a full season, and Jordan Pierce coming in, it’s getting crowded very crowded at positions that he can log minutes at. He struggled to get playing time when Cunningham came back from his injury and it’s only going to get worse next season.
If a scholarship opens up, I have to believe that they target a grad transfer and most likely a point guard. While Jaaron Simmons from Ohio University would be perfect fit, sources close to him tell me he has not made up his mind on his future. He would have to announce he’s seeking a fifth year transfer elsewhere before anything formal can be sought.
Things that transpired on Monday are certainly pointing in the direction that he could seek a transfer. Three Ohio University players announced that they will be leaving, making the future uncertain of a team that already declined a postseason berth to a smaller postseason tournament this past season. With one final chance to get to the NCAA tournament in his career, a jump to a better opportunity makes a whole lot of sense. Again, a domino from each side has to fall first. Time will tell.
CLOSING
That does it for this edition of the War Room. Thank you so much to everyone for making this another great season of covering the Dayton Flyers. I, admit, Friday was different. When Keith Waleskowski walked off the floor after losing to Buffalo in 2004, I was a little emotional. I didn’t know when I’d get to see Dayton in the NCAA tournament again. After four straight NCAA’s, I was not emotional one bit on Friday night and it’s thanks to those four seniors. It’s thanks to them that helped “revive” (Scoochie’s words) the Dayton basketball program that I know I’ll see the Flyers back in the NCAA tournament on a much more regular basis. And that’s the best compliment I can give them.
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 1st edition of the War Room for the 2017 off-season!
QUESTION ON EVERYONE’S MIND
Obviously the topic on everyone’s mind is Archie Miller and his future. There was some anxiety when it was announced that Tom Crean was fired, but that was met with some optimism on Friday when I arrived in Indianapolis and realized the Hoosiers were aiming for the stars.
A few perspectives on this—From IU’s side, it seems as though they have broken down their candidates into pools. In the first pool, they’re shooting for a couple of proven college coaches that are now head coaches in the NBA—Billy Donovan and Brad Stevens. In the second tier, you have guys like Virginia’s Tony Bennett and UCLA’s Steve Alford. In the third tier, guys like Chris Mack, Chris Collins, Chris Holtmann, Archie Miller, etc. can be found. It could very easily go to the third tier before Indiana finds their man. A lot of noise right now out of Westwood though, but with UCLA still in the tournament, Indiana will do some exploring. I would expect at least a conversation between Indiana and many of these candidates.
Then you have from the other side. I spoke with someone close to Archie who didn’t view the Indiana job as a homerun job for the 38-year old. After Tom Crean was fired, it’s viewed as a job with “baggage.” The thought is, while Indiana is a great job, Archie doesn’t NEED to make this jump and can be even pickier--- “Like Sean was with Arizona.” I am told his family is there for guidance, but ultimately it will always be up to Archie.
From UD’s perspective… The rumor is true that Super Lark posted on the board yesterday, Dayton is indeed looking to boost Miller’s contract. He’s at roughly 2.4M right now, give or take a little, and they’re looking to push him to or over 3M. The rationale being, if Archie Miller decides to leave, it will not be because of a money. Dayton will give him everything they can, within their control, to compete with any other potential job openings from top 25 programs. They believe under Miller, they can build a consistent Top 25 program winner in Dayton.
I have not heard when it will be announced, Lark may be right and that it may happen this week. I can say that Neil Sullivan and Eric Spina are both ALL IN with Archie Miller being the head of the Dayton basketball program. Archie has talked before about that great relationship with Tim Wabler and now Sullivan, and Spina has brought that same mindset and love for basketball after his time at Syracuse. Bottom line, Dayton has almost everything to offer a head coach. They’ve given Archie almost everything he has ever asked for and more. He’s a loyal guy that feels he’ll be forever in debt to Dayton for taking a chance on him at 32 years old. Archie may leave tomorrow, next year, 10 years from now, or never. If he does, it will be one of the toughest decisions he’s ever made.
THE SULLIVAN PACT
I will make an emphatic statement right now. Neil Sullivan is one of the best young Athletic Directors in the country. He understands that Dayton basketball is the lifeblood of the department/university and Sullivan is being aggressive and innovative to make sure they stay ahead of any movement.
As we’ve heard is happening, the power five and Big East are trying to whittle out the smaller basketball schools and making it tough for them to schedule in the non-conference. With the talk of moving to 20 conference games, throw in exempt tournaments, and buy games, and all of a sudden opportunities on the big boys' schedule are almost non-existent.
Neil, being innovative, brainstormed an idea to aid these fringe programs like Dayton- strong basketball programs playing in non-Power Five/Big East conferences. He started with a large pool of schools with similar profiles—BYU, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Gonzaga, Illinois State, St. Mary’s, VCU, and Wichita State, etc.
The idea is anyone is enters in this pact, agrees to play two of the other members during the non-conference each season. Right now, I am told that there are six schools besides Dayton that are in the mix: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Gonzaga, San Diego State, SMU, and St. Mary’s. This should help build/strengthen relationships as well when it comes to conference expansion in the future. Innovative and Genius… Sullivan is the brain behind it.
ARENA
There was a rumor last week posted on Twitter by a Dayton fan account that rumors are that the announcement about the renovation were because of a possible new arena on the Fairgrounds. We’ve been hearing that rumor for 10+ years and I have serious doubts about it coming true anytime soon.
I was told by multiple sources this week that there are currently no plans for a new arena and that the plan go forward is indeed the state-of-the-art renovation of UD Arena. I was told the delay in the announcement is they still require some funding.
They are looking to raise 20-25 million right now to get the project going. They are seeking a dozen or two donors to kick in 500K to 1 million each and I’m told that there is one generous donor that pledged to matching gift of between 5-10 million.
They are still in the private solicitation phase, but things are said to be going very well and they are reportedly past the halfway mark of their initial goal. Once they hit their initial goal and have those commitments signed and on paper, the announcement will likely be soon after.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
What would a War Room be without some talk about the on-the-court personnel news. I was asked today on Mark Neal’s show if there were going to be any transfers and I told him that I would be surprised if at least one scholarship was not open for this fall.
The odd’s on favorite, in my mind, is Sam Milller. With only losing Kendall Pollard in the frontcourt, and Kostas Antetokounmpo becoming eligible, Josh Cunningham hopefully being healthy for a full season, and Jordan Pierce coming in, it’s getting crowded very crowded at positions that he can log minutes at. He struggled to get playing time when Cunningham came back from his injury and it’s only going to get worse next season.
If a scholarship opens up, I have to believe that they target a grad transfer and most likely a point guard. While Jaaron Simmons from Ohio University would be perfect fit, sources close to him tell me he has not made up his mind on his future. He would have to announce he’s seeking a fifth year transfer elsewhere before anything formal can be sought.
Things that transpired on Monday are certainly pointing in the direction that he could seek a transfer. Three Ohio University players announced that they will be leaving, making the future uncertain of a team that already declined a postseason berth to a smaller postseason tournament this past season. With one final chance to get to the NCAA tournament in his career, a jump to a better opportunity makes a whole lot of sense. Again, a domino from each side has to fall first. Time will tell.
CLOSING
That does it for this edition of the War Room. Thank you so much to everyone for making this another great season of covering the Dayton Flyers. I, admit, Friday was different. When Keith Waleskowski walked off the floor after losing to Buffalo in 2004, I was a little emotional. I didn’t know when I’d get to see Dayton in the NCAA tournament again. After four straight NCAA’s, I was not emotional one bit on Friday night and it’s thanks to those four seniors. It’s thanks to them that helped “revive” (Scoochie’s words) the Dayton basketball program that I know I’ll see the Flyers back in the NCAA tournament on a much more regular basis. And that’s the best compliment I can give them.
