Welcome to the 5th 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 5th edition of the War Room for 2020!
BULLFROG
Alright, lets put it all out there on the table regarding Jeremiah Francis. After the report that Jeremiah Francis would choose on Friday night between Dayton and New Mexico, I had two sources reach out to me to let me know that Dayton never offered.
One source told me that Dayton watched extensive film on him and had serious concerns about his knee injuries. A second source told me that Dayton was waiting to receive his medical records so UD’s medical team could review them.
They eventual received them and it was at that point that Dayton decided to not even extend an offer. In fact, one source told me that Anthony Solomon was the only coach that had ever talked to Jeremiah from Dayton. Francis did not speak ONCE to Anthony Grant and he never even had a Zoom meeting with the staff.
Neither source thought there was malicious intent on Jeremiah’s part, more so didn’t think through having Dayton (without an offer) in his top two as self-validation. Either way, Dayton feels like they can do better and have a lot to offer. A genuine Good luck to Jeremiah in Albuquerque.
BOOK OF ELIJAH
So if they feel like they can do better, who is it? Well, Southern Cal guard Elijah Weaver appears to be on the forefront of their radar right now as his name kept coming up this week in my conversations. Before we can any further, I’ll answer the question on everybody’s mind. YES! Confirmed! He has been offered by Dayton.
I watched a lot of video on him this week and I was impressed with his ability to attack in transition and his creativity around the rim. He doesn’t get high off the floor on his jumpers, but he seems like he has a decent shot. He is deceptively quick getting to the basket, reminds me a of a left-handed Rodney Chatman in that regard. He also uses his ballscreens well. I think he’d fit right in with Dayton’s offense.
The obvious concerns I noted in the article this week. His shooting percentages from this past season for the Trojans will not wow anybody. The Dayton staff, I am told, really like his size and think his shooting will improve a great deal with one year of development with them while sitting out. One thing I noticed on film, he appears to be an analytical type offensive player. A lot of threes and and lot of getting to the basket.
I gave you his list I had heard in the article, it appears it’s going to be Dayton vs SEC and AAC to land his services. Ricardo Greer and the coaching staff have already developed a good relationship with the Florida native and hopefully he’ll be the good news that Dayton fans have been patiently waiting for.
DONNIE HOOPS
Another transfer that the staff reportedly likes is 6-7, 225-pound forward Donnie Tillman from UNLV. He played one season for the Rebels after playing the previous two seasons at Utah. He was the Sixth Man of the Year in the Pac-12 as a sophomore in 2018-2019.
He averaged 10.1 points and 4.7 rebounds for UNLV, shooting 37.5% from the floor, 29.2% from three, and 75.2% from the free throw line. Those numbers were down after shooting 36% from three and 43% from the floor. He did, however, score a season-high 28 points by making 13-19 from the free throw line in a one-point double overtime win over Fresno State.
From what I am told, Dayton is waiting to see if he will be eligible right away as a grad transfer. It sounds like he wouldn’t be able to graduate this semester, but would need the summer to do so and even then it’s not guaranteed.
He went to Findlay Prep for three years in Nevada, but is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He had a lot of Big Ten schools interested in his talents last year when he left Utah, and I would expect more of the same on his list this year. However, I don’t think they’d want him as a sit one, play one. Those schools will likely fill their scholarships while we wait to see if he graduates, so it could pay off for Dayton if they remain patient.
OTHER NUGGETS
Last War Room, I talked about Northeastern graduate transfer Max Boursiquot. From what I am told, the Flyers backed off after their evaluation of him. They were hoping he could be more of a true four in their offense, but they didn’t see him fitting that bill.
I thought it was interesting that Chase Johnson was also mentioned in Dave Jablonski’s article today about Francis. AG called it premature. I checked in again with my sources, and they say it is still a day-to-day thing right now, but are “optimistic.”
I’ve heard that Dayton will be losing former Butler player and graduate assistant Khyle Marshall after one season with the Flyers. He will be moving on to UIC in the Horizon where he will become the Director of Scouting. A Thank You to him and a Congratulations on the permanent position!
It sounds like June will likely be out of the question for any type of team camp. I’ve heard the rumor that may be some live periods during the months of July and August this year, but like everything else, it’s an evolving situation.
There’s also been talk of Dayton bringing back the Elite Camp if OHSAA shuts down the possibility of having a team camp on UD’s campus. If either one of those camps come to fruition, we are looking at an August timeframe for them. Hopefully, we are back to “normal” by mid-summer.
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. I hope this finds everyone and their families safe and healthy. Motto for this week: “Good things come to those that wait.” Until next time, God Bless and stay safe! 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 5th edition of the War Room for 2020!
BULLFROG
Alright, lets put it all out there on the table regarding Jeremiah Francis. After the report that Jeremiah Francis would choose on Friday night between Dayton and New Mexico, I had two sources reach out to me to let me know that Dayton never offered.
One source told me that Dayton watched extensive film on him and had serious concerns about his knee injuries. A second source told me that Dayton was waiting to receive his medical records so UD’s medical team could review them.
They eventual received them and it was at that point that Dayton decided to not even extend an offer. In fact, one source told me that Anthony Solomon was the only coach that had ever talked to Jeremiah from Dayton. Francis did not speak ONCE to Anthony Grant and he never even had a Zoom meeting with the staff.
Neither source thought there was malicious intent on Jeremiah’s part, more so didn’t think through having Dayton (without an offer) in his top two as self-validation. Either way, Dayton feels like they can do better and have a lot to offer. A genuine Good luck to Jeremiah in Albuquerque.
BOOK OF ELIJAH
So if they feel like they can do better, who is it? Well, Southern Cal guard Elijah Weaver appears to be on the forefront of their radar right now as his name kept coming up this week in my conversations. Before we can any further, I’ll answer the question on everybody’s mind. YES! Confirmed! He has been offered by Dayton.
I watched a lot of video on him this week and I was impressed with his ability to attack in transition and his creativity around the rim. He doesn’t get high off the floor on his jumpers, but he seems like he has a decent shot. He is deceptively quick getting to the basket, reminds me a of a left-handed Rodney Chatman in that regard. He also uses his ballscreens well. I think he’d fit right in with Dayton’s offense.
The obvious concerns I noted in the article this week. His shooting percentages from this past season for the Trojans will not wow anybody. The Dayton staff, I am told, really like his size and think his shooting will improve a great deal with one year of development with them while sitting out. One thing I noticed on film, he appears to be an analytical type offensive player. A lot of threes and and lot of getting to the basket.
I gave you his list I had heard in the article, it appears it’s going to be Dayton vs SEC and AAC to land his services. Ricardo Greer and the coaching staff have already developed a good relationship with the Florida native and hopefully he’ll be the good news that Dayton fans have been patiently waiting for.
DONNIE HOOPS
Another transfer that the staff reportedly likes is 6-7, 225-pound forward Donnie Tillman from UNLV. He played one season for the Rebels after playing the previous two seasons at Utah. He was the Sixth Man of the Year in the Pac-12 as a sophomore in 2018-2019.
He averaged 10.1 points and 4.7 rebounds for UNLV, shooting 37.5% from the floor, 29.2% from three, and 75.2% from the free throw line. Those numbers were down after shooting 36% from three and 43% from the floor. He did, however, score a season-high 28 points by making 13-19 from the free throw line in a one-point double overtime win over Fresno State.
From what I am told, Dayton is waiting to see if he will be eligible right away as a grad transfer. It sounds like he wouldn’t be able to graduate this semester, but would need the summer to do so and even then it’s not guaranteed.
He went to Findlay Prep for three years in Nevada, but is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He had a lot of Big Ten schools interested in his talents last year when he left Utah, and I would expect more of the same on his list this year. However, I don’t think they’d want him as a sit one, play one. Those schools will likely fill their scholarships while we wait to see if he graduates, so it could pay off for Dayton if they remain patient.
OTHER NUGGETS
Last War Room, I talked about Northeastern graduate transfer Max Boursiquot. From what I am told, the Flyers backed off after their evaluation of him. They were hoping he could be more of a true four in their offense, but they didn’t see him fitting that bill.
I thought it was interesting that Chase Johnson was also mentioned in Dave Jablonski’s article today about Francis. AG called it premature. I checked in again with my sources, and they say it is still a day-to-day thing right now, but are “optimistic.”
I’ve heard that Dayton will be losing former Butler player and graduate assistant Khyle Marshall after one season with the Flyers. He will be moving on to UIC in the Horizon where he will become the Director of Scouting. A Thank You to him and a Congratulations on the permanent position!
It sounds like June will likely be out of the question for any type of team camp. I’ve heard the rumor that may be some live periods during the months of July and August this year, but like everything else, it’s an evolving situation.
There’s also been talk of Dayton bringing back the Elite Camp if OHSAA shuts down the possibility of having a team camp on UD’s campus. If either one of those camps come to fruition, we are looking at an August timeframe for them. Hopefully, we are back to “normal” by mid-summer.
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. I hope this finds everyone and their families safe and healthy. Motto for this week: “Good things come to those that wait.” Until next time, God Bless and stay safe! WE ARE…
