College Hoops

Contrary to what some seem to believe, coaches really do prioritize recruiting targets. They have to given budget considerations and the time limitations set by the NCAA. I believe Davis, Smith and Pollard were all quoted as saying AM had made them a priority in his scheme. AS a UD fan I thought Pollard might go elsewhere for a better shot at a alot of immediate playing time, but I'm happy he will be a Flyer. Looks like AM is trying to bring in skilled athletic kids who can play two or more positions.

As an aside, I think A-10 fans need to keep an eye on Hurley and URI. To my way of thinking his recruiting comfort area was Philly through metro NYC and Canada (where some of his players came from when he was at St. Benedicts), but he was a finalist for Pollard in Chicago and brought in a highly rated prospect from Detroit as well.

Paris

I thought Maverick Morgan was THE top target for Archie in the 2013 class. Sure he committed earlier in the summer to Illinois, but the staff did recruit him very hard.

My hope is that the Davis, Scoochie, Pollard class can be a Poor Man's version of that great Marquette troika from a few years back (Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews). Of course, all of those Marquette guys were top 75 recruits but it is an example of a great backcourt class where all the pieces fit together.

AdamtheFlyer

There's an argument for that, but the summer between junior and senior year is the prime recruiting season. The "real" recruiting season is quite short. July before the senior year leading to official visits in the fall is it. Early verbals happen, but pretty rare given the sheer number of recruits every year. You build relationships early, then do the actual recruiting in the last July a kid has in AAU and into the official visits that fall.

Hard to say if Morgan was ever the "top" target. They recruited him hard, perhaps wanted him to be the top target through the summer and fall, but he lives 10 minutes from campus. Easy to have a presence at his games and have him on campus a bit as a sophomore and junior.

Even if you include Morgan, that's still 3 of 4, which is very, very good. Going 1 for every 4 is more like normal. Archie and company are getting hits. This is a fun time.

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Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism.

TheCobra

Another great get for the Flyers. Pollard is a "glue guy" on his HS team (probably the best team in the country), and I think that will bode well for him. He is capable of contributing in a variety of ways already, not just scoring and rebounding, which is more than you can say for most D1 recruits. I think this factor will allow him to earn minutes even with a loaded 3 spot his freshman year. From the looks of it he has some nice offensive skills, too, they just haven't been put on display as much.

Re Archie getting his top 3 targets, he has really done a phenomenal job. You can see that he is able to connect with these kids and make an impact on them. I agree with the person who said we used to lose these types of recruits to Kstate (Pullen) or Cal (Randle). UD was always attractive bc of the facilities and fan support, etc, but now these guys are actually buying in that it is not just a good time but a good "career move" to go to UD bc Archie is going to make you better.

I do think its arguable these were his top 3 targets. I think they were his top 3 targets this summer, probably based mostly on the feel he had for them and how much interest they were showing. We were recruiting Wes Clark pretty hard during last winter, and he went to Mizzou. He is a stud PG. I don't know if he was considered a "top priority," but at one point I imagine he was higher on the pecking order than Davis and Smith. But who cares?????? We got studs!

DistrictBaller

Congratulations! It looks like a great class for the Flyers!

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"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart

AdamtheFlyer

Yeah, I mean, top targets is semantics. I have no doubt Archie really wanted Morgan, Wes Clark, and EC Matthews. He probably wanted the Harrison twins and Jabari Parker, too. But push come to shove and official visit season starts, you really target the kids you want and can get. When the recruiting season really kicked up, I think Davis, Smith, and Pollard were his 3 targets. I think those were the only 3 official visits he brought in. He got them all. That is pretty rare. It doesn't necessarily show that Archie is a great evaluator of talent, but it does show that he and his staff can sell.

I think Pollard will be more of a big SG and less of a SF. More of a 2/3 swing with guard principals wherever he plays. His wingspan (7' supposedly) and athleticism should allow him to defend bigger players, but from what I see his offensive skill set is more like a SG.

I think he is going to be fun to watch. In his youtube clips, he kind of reminds me of Bill Walker (OJ Mayo's HS teammate, played at K-State and the NBA). He won't be as good as Bill Walker, but that kind of player. Strong, 6'5"-6'6", great athlete with a respectable perimeter jumper and a nice pullup mid-range game.

If these kids all show up and are as advertised, this could be a very deep roster for the next several years.

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Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism.

TheCobra

Good points, Adam. The only reason I disagree that Kendall will play SG is that I don't think we will see many ball-handling-challenged athletes at the 2G under Archie like we did under BG. He wants guys with a lot of skill at the guard position. I think Pollard will be the type of guy who plays both wings and guards the other team's best player at the 2 or 3.

Muddy Waters

Correct on all accounts.


Dayton Double-Dips with Kendall Pollard Commitment (Chicago Sun-Times - October 19, 2012 - 10:02 AM)


Pollard Picks Flyers Over Rhode Island (Doug Harris, DDN - October 19, 2012 - 10:43 AM)


Flyers Land Chicago Wing Prospect (Doug Harris, DDN - October 19, 2012 - 8:18 PM)


Early Commits Could Be Key for Flyers’ 2013 Class (Doug Harris, DDN - October 20, 2012 - 1:24 PM)

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Muddy Waters

None: Saint Louis, Xavier, and St. Bonaventure.

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Final 2012 RPI Rankings:

22 - Temple
28 - Saint Louis ==> NCAA Tournament "At Large" Invitation
38 - Xavier ==> NCAA Tournament "At Large" Invitation / Sweet 16
62 - Massachusetts
76 - St. Bonaventure ==> A10 Champion / NCAA Tournament Invitation
77 - St. Joseph's (PA)
91 - Dayton
95 - La Salle
111 - Duquesne
131 - Richmond
170 - Charlotte
189 - George Washington
243 - Fordham
262 - Rhode Island

Muddy’s Observation:

Rivals 150 prospects who chose an A10 school did so for reasons other than the school’s success in the 2011-12 season.

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Muddy’s Observations:

(1) Maverick Morgan and Wes Clark both said very early in the recruiting process that they would like to play for a BCS-conference school, as do most Rivals 150 prospects. Morgan committed to Illinois and Clark committed to Missouri before they were permitted to make Official Visits.

(2) Archie’s scholarship offer to EC Matthews was solely as a SG. Archie had no interest in a 2013 "point guard" who had no previous experience in playing the position.

(3) EC Matthews is one of the Top 25 SGs in the HS Class of 2013. He is not one of the Top 25 PGs, and he may or may not become a Top 25 PG in his class by the end of the 2016-17 season.

(4) Kyle Davis (who will be at the Red & Blue Scrimmage this afternoon) and Kendall Pollard both play for powerhouse HS and AAU teams in Chicago, while Scoochie is pure New York City. If any of next year’s A10 freshmen are prepared to play in the A10, it’s these three guys.

(5) Given the information above, it appears that the addition of Kendall Pollard has given Archie Miller the best 2013 recruiting class in the Atlantic 10 to date.

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Muddy Waters

Chicago Has Been Good To UD Basketball (Doug Harris, DDN - October 24, 2012)

Archie Miller just nabbed two coveted senior prospects from inner-city Chicago in combo guard Kyle Davis and wing Kendall Pollard.

Those two along with New York City point guard Dayshon "Scoochie" Smith assure the Flyers of having the kind of recruiting class that can advance the program.

Miller can’t talk about those prospects until they sign in November, but Davis knows Pollard well from their time as AAU teammates and said: "Kendall is going to play hard, stick you on D and rebound. And he’ll go upstairs and dunk on somebody."

Asked what’s distinct about Chicago players, Davis said: "Chicago ball is a variety of everything. We can handle the ball. We can all shoot jump shots. Everybody can jump. And the most important part to a Chicago basketball player, we have heart and we always want to win."

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College Hoops

For those of you in the Dayton area or with knowledge of the programs is there any talk about UD or X trying to make a run at Teddy Hawkins for next year? I understand he didn't qualify at Wichita State and is doing a prep year. While apparently still interested in the Shockers, alot can change especially if he has a good year academically and on the court.

Flyer75

No way Dayton goes after him. We are loaded at his position, that being the 3/4 spot. He had his chance a year ago....thankfully he committed elsewhere (and was ruled ineligible). For X I have no idea. For the record, Hawkins says he's still committed to Wichita St for now.

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Bill Russell

For those of you in the Dayton area, what's the latest on the recruitment of Jaaron Simmons?

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TheCobra

Flyer75, we have bodies that play the 3, but none that have proven to be good to great players. But I agree we will look elsewhere. I think Archie soured on Hawkins the first time around. It is hard to say what our primary need is for the final scholarship next year. We will have 5 guards, 4 swing forwards (at least two of whom can play the 4), and 3 bigs.

I would be surprised if the last scholarship doesn't go to a D1 transfer. Its the way of the world now. Enough people jump ship that we should have a Jordan Sibert sitting on our bench every year - highly rated recruit who, for one reason or another, didn't work out at a bigger school. Or, sometimes even better, we could have a standout from an unsuccessful program looking to upgrade (KD1). Occupying a scholarship with a player or two who cannot play can also be a blessing in disguise for coaches. It is easier to keep 12 guys happy than 13 guys. The fewer players who are upset about minutes, the less likely you yourself lose players to transfer.

AdamtheFlyer

I think if Archie had his way the last scholarship would go to a big. I do think if no big is available or worth taking in the spring, taking a transfer is more likely than a freshman guard or wing.

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__________________
Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism.