Welcome to the 6th 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 6th edition of the War Room for 2020!
DECISION SOON
I was told a week ago that Malachi Smith’s decision would be coming in the last week of August. He has taken to twitter to confirm that with a planned announcement on August 29th. At the time when I was told, it was believed that it was a three-horse race with Dayton, Georgetown, and Rutgers.
Since I was told that, Rutgers has received a commitment from point guard Jalen Miller. At this point, it seems logical that it would be down to a two-horse race with Georgetown and Dayton. These two programs already went head-to-head for Jaylin Billingsley with Billingsley picking the Hoyas.
From what I am told, there’s a better feeling in Dayton about Malachi than there was with Billingsley. NCAA extended the Dead Period recently to 9/30 so getting Malachi committed while there is no in-person recruiting allowed would be huge.
If he does indeed choose Dayton, this has little to do with Scoochie going there and more to do with the job that the Flyers did recruiting him. Very early on, the family made it very clear that they wanted this recruitment to be about Malachi and Dayton and not his brother. Ricardo Greer, Anthony Grant, and Koby Brea have been working Smith since the Flyers offered last fall.
FRONTCOURT
Let’s assume for a minute that Smith does indeed commit to Dayton, wow what a start to the class that would be. And then couple that with I’m hearing the Flyers are in a very good position for Duncan Powell, who said he will make his decision in mid-September.
I’m also hearing the Flyers have positioned themselves well with Dover (NJ) High School’s Rafael Castro. Another Greer target. He averaged 20 points, 16 rebounds, and nearly five blocks per game last season as a junior.
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Analyst Corey Evans said that Castro reminds him a lot of Jaxson Hayes from Moeller that went on to Texas. Folks I have talk to said they remind them of Obi Toppin the way he plays the five position. A huge selling point that Dayton never had prior—comparing a recruit to their former National Player of the Year.
I have not heard any type of timetable for Castro, but understand things are definitely heating up. He never took any visits prior to the coronavirus, and his latest two offers – Miami (FL) and Providence both came in June. Several other high major schools are showing interest and haven’t offered, but again, no in person recruiting through at least 9/30 could help the Flyers.
OTHER OPTIONS
So what happens if Malachi goes elsewhere? There’s a few other names I have been hearing a lot about at the point guard spot. Long Island Luthern guard Rafael Pinzon has the ability to play both guard spots and Edmond Memorial Sean Pedulla are players Dayton is targeting at the lead guard spot along with one other under-the-radar prospect.
Pinzon is a Puerto Rican player that Coach Greer has built a great relationship with. Florida offered him a scholarship at the end of July and Georgia is now getting involved. His versatility and ability to guard multiple positions makes him very attractive to Dayton.
Pedulla’s only two high major offers are Minnesota and Virginia Tech at the current time. Those came this summer after a performance in a Oklahoma City tournament that drew praises publicly from Buddy Hield and Trae Young when the 6-1 guard caught their eyes.
One last name that I haven’t heard too much about have heard mentioned in recruiting conversations is Chikara Tanaka. He was born in Japan and is now at IMG Academy. Dayton hasn’t got to the point of offering, but I know they are closely evaluating him. Again, these are all names I’ve heard mentioned along with Malachi as point guard targets currently on Dayton’s board.
A10 TROUBLE?
The one thing we’ve seen during this pandemic is just how much the Atlantic 10 seems to hold back Dayton. We especially saw it in the spring when you had all the headlines and somehow couldn’t still reel in your top target over Minnesota. Depending on the recruit and who is in his ear, the conference can definitely matter.
Now, the other thing about conference is scheduling. We’ve heard of the possibility of major conferences going to a 20-game schedule and how that impacts schools like Dayton that rely on their non-conference ledger to build their resume.
The coronavirus makes it that much easier. As we’ve already seen with college football, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that 2020-2021 season is played with conference games only. No Feast Week, no non-conference marquee opportunities. The Power 5 pinching the little guys.
I’ve been told that Neil Sullivan is well aware of that and has been staying active with conversations with a couple other conferences. If anything good comes from all of what we’ve been through since March, perhaps the brass and leadership see the importance of our conference affiliation and its impact on their flag bearer, Men’s Basketball.
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. Hopefully some good news is headed Dayton's way in the next 2-4 weeks. 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 6th edition of the War Room for 2020!
DECISION SOON
I was told a week ago that Malachi Smith’s decision would be coming in the last week of August. He has taken to twitter to confirm that with a planned announcement on August 29th. At the time when I was told, it was believed that it was a three-horse race with Dayton, Georgetown, and Rutgers.
Since I was told that, Rutgers has received a commitment from point guard Jalen Miller. At this point, it seems logical that it would be down to a two-horse race with Georgetown and Dayton. These two programs already went head-to-head for Jaylin Billingsley with Billingsley picking the Hoyas.
From what I am told, there’s a better feeling in Dayton about Malachi than there was with Billingsley. NCAA extended the Dead Period recently to 9/30 so getting Malachi committed while there is no in-person recruiting allowed would be huge.
If he does indeed choose Dayton, this has little to do with Scoochie going there and more to do with the job that the Flyers did recruiting him. Very early on, the family made it very clear that they wanted this recruitment to be about Malachi and Dayton and not his brother. Ricardo Greer, Anthony Grant, and Koby Brea have been working Smith since the Flyers offered last fall.
FRONTCOURT
Let’s assume for a minute that Smith does indeed commit to Dayton, wow what a start to the class that would be. And then couple that with I’m hearing the Flyers are in a very good position for Duncan Powell, who said he will make his decision in mid-September.
I’m also hearing the Flyers have positioned themselves well with Dover (NJ) High School’s Rafael Castro. Another Greer target. He averaged 20 points, 16 rebounds, and nearly five blocks per game last season as a junior.
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Analyst Corey Evans said that Castro reminds him a lot of Jaxson Hayes from Moeller that went on to Texas. Folks I have talk to said they remind them of Obi Toppin the way he plays the five position. A huge selling point that Dayton never had prior—comparing a recruit to their former National Player of the Year.
I have not heard any type of timetable for Castro, but understand things are definitely heating up. He never took any visits prior to the coronavirus, and his latest two offers – Miami (FL) and Providence both came in June. Several other high major schools are showing interest and haven’t offered, but again, no in person recruiting through at least 9/30 could help the Flyers.
OTHER OPTIONS
So what happens if Malachi goes elsewhere? There’s a few other names I have been hearing a lot about at the point guard spot. Long Island Luthern guard Rafael Pinzon has the ability to play both guard spots and Edmond Memorial Sean Pedulla are players Dayton is targeting at the lead guard spot along with one other under-the-radar prospect.
Pinzon is a Puerto Rican player that Coach Greer has built a great relationship with. Florida offered him a scholarship at the end of July and Georgia is now getting involved. His versatility and ability to guard multiple positions makes him very attractive to Dayton.
Pedulla’s only two high major offers are Minnesota and Virginia Tech at the current time. Those came this summer after a performance in a Oklahoma City tournament that drew praises publicly from Buddy Hield and Trae Young when the 6-1 guard caught their eyes.
One last name that I haven’t heard too much about have heard mentioned in recruiting conversations is Chikara Tanaka. He was born in Japan and is now at IMG Academy. Dayton hasn’t got to the point of offering, but I know they are closely evaluating him. Again, these are all names I’ve heard mentioned along with Malachi as point guard targets currently on Dayton’s board.
A10 TROUBLE?
The one thing we’ve seen during this pandemic is just how much the Atlantic 10 seems to hold back Dayton. We especially saw it in the spring when you had all the headlines and somehow couldn’t still reel in your top target over Minnesota. Depending on the recruit and who is in his ear, the conference can definitely matter.
Now, the other thing about conference is scheduling. We’ve heard of the possibility of major conferences going to a 20-game schedule and how that impacts schools like Dayton that rely on their non-conference ledger to build their resume.
The coronavirus makes it that much easier. As we’ve already seen with college football, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that 2020-2021 season is played with conference games only. No Feast Week, no non-conference marquee opportunities. The Power 5 pinching the little guys.
I’ve been told that Neil Sullivan is well aware of that and has been staying active with conversations with a couple other conferences. If anything good comes from all of what we’ve been through since March, perhaps the brass and leadership see the importance of our conference affiliation and its impact on their flag bearer, Men’s Basketball.
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. Hopefully some good news is headed Dayton's way in the next 2-4 weeks. WE ARE…
