Class of 2018 SG Eric Ayala (DE/IMG) to Maryland

[Fly Rodder]

I appreciate any tidbits that are loosed on this hive of scum and villainy, but there are no guarantees in life. Even if JAB signed on and posted that it was a done deal, I'd probably remain skeptical until there was an official announcement.

 

[Lucid]

Maybe, but it is how the opportunity is presented to him.

Agreed... and there's a name for it.

"Recruiting."

 

[orangefog]

Jones, Carey...definitely a big pool

Holy crap, yeah. How did I forget them. And honestly, there is not a ton that distinguishes any of them from eachother. I would love to add him in 2017 and then one of those guys in 2018. But, if he is in that pool for 2018, I am not sure where I would rank him, but it wouldn't be #1 and probably more the middle of the pack.

 

[NineOneSeven]

In late October we will know with 100% certainty whether Ayala will be on our team, as he either will or wont be wearing a syracuse jersey while standing on the court.

 

[jordoo]

yeah at this point it's hope for a grad xfer who can both contribute and blend in right away - or for the 2 Howards to surpise considerably...
not sure which of those hopes is more realistic.
feels like this Ayala thing was another mishandled approach for 2017 PG - ugh

Weather it was mishandled or not it all stems from mishandling the recruitment of Quade Green. We cancelled a visit from Coleman for Green who hadn't even given a verbal commitment.

 

[Lucid]

Ayala is loyal to a person he really shouldn't be at this time.

Any more on this, Dasher?

And by the way, I appreciate every bit of info you and others take the time to share here.

 

[Dave]

This thread has become a must follow. We have rrlbees, Dasher and Mason all contributing recently. Many good opinions from all directions. Minimal friction. This is good stuff.

can I point out

I appreciate any tidbits that are loosed on this hive of scum and villainy, but there are no guarantees in life. Even if JAB signed on and posted that it was a done deal, I'd probably remain skeptical until there was an official announcement.

Please let's not forget the dangerously insane.

 

[Day2]

We're one of the only, if not the only, schools in our peer group who haven't been able to find a point guard in the last 4 recruiting cycles.

Fingers crossed I'm not still reading "Yea but nobody expected Ennis to leave after his freshman season..." a year from now.

That's not exactly true. Kaleb Joseph and Frank Howard were top 100 prospects. We got them, they just didn't pan out (still time for Howard). Why doesn't Gillon count? There are over 100 grad transfers this year. This is where recruiting is headed. One and done is one and done.

This year is tough because there aren't a lot of elite PG prospects and most of them aren't an ideal fit for us (that actually includes Green). I don't mind taking a grad transfer and developing Washington. If Howard makes the leap this year, we'll be fine.

 

[orangefog]

can I point out

Please let's not forget the dangerously insane.

Well, what's a thread without a bit of insanity?

 

[Funk Doc]

That's not exactly true. Kaleb Joseph and Frank Howard were top 100 prospects. We got them, they just didn't pan out (still time for Howard). Why doesn't Gillon count? There are over 100 grad transfers this year. This is where recruiting is headed. One and done is one and done.

This year is tough because there aren't a lot of elite PG prospects and most of them aren't an ideal fit for us (that actually includes Green). I don't mind taking a grad transfer and developing Washington. If Howard makes the leap this year, we'll be fine.

Cue up the "what have you seen from Frank last season that would make you even think that?" talk!

 

[Day2]

Cue up the "what have you seen from Frank last season that would make you even think that?" talk!

Yep. But we're a fickle bunch, aren't we? There were a lot of people who were high on Howard after his freshman year, and I'm pretty sure some of them are the very people who think he's garbage now. I wasn't in the first camp back then and I'm not in the second camp now, but I do believe players can improve. Novel concept, I know.

 

[dcw914]

I do not owe you an apology. That is ridiculous. He told the coaches that he was reclassifying. That is not an opinion. That is a fact. He told the coaches he was coming to Syracuse. Fact. Not opinion. By the way, he still might. We haven't given up. But we could always do it your way for formation. Just guess. People like you are the reason that many don't put out information they know. So, now because of you, I will only give out information to people off line. Good job. This reminds me of the people, like you, who told me I was wrong when I posted that Hop had a deal to become the next coach.

First Time poster. Been following this board for about a year now, right around the TT and AWIII threads, since I graduated and found out about it. I've accepted my unhealthy addiction to cuse bball and recruiting. It's people like you Dash (and 2-3 others who the true followers know who to listen to), that make me want to come back and constantly check this site to an obsessive degree. Won't get into names or point fingers, but the obvious pessimists and immature, egotistical, keyboard warriors has become exhausting.

Please don't let that prevent you from posting what you know and when you know. Some people like to think they're in the heads of these recruits and mislead followers. You're one of the only solid providers of concrete and informed content. Without you, this board would be a cluster of worries and incoherent whining without an inkling of insider info and would simply not be worth coming to. I as well as many others GREATLY appreciate what you do. Please don't let a couple naysayers bring down this whole board. Sry for the rant, hopefully my second post will be regarding something actually involving the Cuse.

As for myself, I am no insider, but have a couple friends that are highly involved in AAU/EYBL and provide me with some solid info around the College BB landscape (One recently got to hangout with Trae Young and Michael Porter). Hopefully, becoming involved myself in the not so distant future. I'll be looking to post more moving forward.

 

[littlereg]

I seco

I understand. It sucks that a few have to ruin it for the rest. So many of us really do appreciate any information. Even if it doesn't come to fruition, then us reasonable folk understand that it doesn't mean the info was wrong when given out. Regardless, thanks for giving me, and everyone here things to read, and dissect as we obsess over SU sports. Luckily, the Rangers have moved on to give me some solace.

When I hear AAU, and someone he has trust in then I'm thinking Maryland.

i second this. I'm always on the threads and then relay things to my brother and dad. I appreciate the info and it's very beneficial. Some people just suck. And for the rangers thank god! Now it sucks game one has to be on draft night...

 

[Ward]

That's not exactly true. Kaleb Joseph and Frank Howard were top 100 prospects. We got them, they just didn't pan out (still time for Howard). Why doesn't Gillon count? There are over 100 grad transfers this year. This is where recruiting is headed. One and done is one and done.

This year is tough because there aren't a lot of elite PG prospects and most of them aren't an ideal fit for us (that actually includes Green). I don't mind taking a grad transfer and developing Washington. If Howard makes the leap this year, we'll be fine.

Frank Howard wasn't the point guard for his high school team and we brought him to be a point guard for us. Kaleb had a rough freshman season and the staff quit on him so you can interpret or digest that how you'd like.

One and done is not a uniform concept. Far more often than not the freshman point guard who goes to the draft is a better player than the 5th year grad transfer who played for one season before his eligibility ran out. Thus, different impacts on the team and season.

2017 is not a tough year for point guards. There were plenty of possibilities we could've brought in and we failed. No other way to spin it.

Each fan has their own outlook on things and what will or won't frustrate them. You seem to be more forgiving or lenient to the staff when it comes to roster management. Personally, I have been frustrated over the past few years when I feel like the staff has had self inflicted setbacks and see us averaging 13 losses a season and going 1/3 on making the tournament with a meager outlook on next year as is.

 

[cuseincincy]

No offense to EA but odds are a grad transfer PG would have more impact in 2017 that he would. Personally I'm not a big fan of the re-classifying thing. It leaves open a chance the kid may get over his head while he catches up. Especially if he hasn't been consistently playing in the U18's against the 2017 recruits. But I also think it sounds like sour grapes from those of you who say they are interested in EA as a 2017 recruit but that there are more and better options for 2018? Sounds a little counter intuitive to me. EA sounds like a good player that is interested in Orange. As long as we have a scholarship open and a need at his position I say bring him on when he's ready. BUT...I don't say no to others that the staff may think just as highly as EA if they are ready. I have to trust and assume that a staff with 4 former Syracuse guards can pick the right guys for our back court.

 

[Day2]

2017 is not a tough year for point guards. There were plenty of possibilities we could've brought in and we failed. No other way to spin it.

Yeah, if you just wanted to sign someone - anyone - who plays the position, there were plenty of possibilities. Since you appear to judge recruiting based on a player's production here (technically that's a development issue, not a recruiting issue), I'm guessing your argument wasn't going to change after bringing in an undersized prospect who doesn't fit the system.

 

[orangefog]

No offense to EA but odds are a grad transfer PG would have more impact in 2017 that he would. Personally I'm not a big fan of the re-classifying thing. It leaves open a chance the kid may get over his head while he catches up. Especially if he hasn't been consistently playing in the U18's against the 2017 recruits. But I also think it sounds like sour grapes from those of you who say they are interested in EA as a 2017 recruit but that there are more and better options for 2018? Sounds a little counter intuitive to me. EA sounds like a good player that is interested in Orange. As long as we have a scholarship open and a need at his position I say bring him on when he's ready. BUT...I don't say no to others that the staff may think just as highly as EA if they are ready. I have to trust and assume that a staff with 4 former Syracuse guards can pick the right guys for our back court.

I know for me, it is not sour grapes. Due to the fact that he previously reclassified to the class of 2018, that makes him one of the few that could go back to the class of 2017 and be age appropriate. I think he would be a good fit for what we need considering our options. However, the class of 2018 has many options for us, some that I feel are better than him.

 

[Ward]

Yeah, if you just wanted to sign someone - anyone - who plays the position, there were plenty of possibilities. Since you appear to judge recruiting based on a player's production here (technically that's a development issue, not a recruiting issue), I'm guessing your argument wasn't going to change after bringing in an undersized prospect who doesn't fit the system.

I basically measure recruiting as are we doing a good job at filling the roster/program's needs and building a sustainable roster that can consistently compete at a high level. I don't really get caught up in rankings as the absolute measuring stick but instead did we do a good job at identifying guys to fill roles we needed and were they productive in their role. I think it was just as important to our success during our great run how we did a strong job identifying the Southerland's, Kris Joseph's, BMK's, Triche's, Rick Jackson's, Scoop's, etc. as it was in landing guys who were McD AA's.

The last few years I don't think we've done a good job filling holes in the roster or in identifying players for roles like in the past.

I don't understand the first or last sentence of your post. There were plenty of very talented point guard options out there and I don't know who you're assuming I would or would not like.

 

[cuseguy]

Sure, there are minutes available for Ayala, but not starter's minutes. He probably thinks it's only a matter of time before Duke and Kentucky come calling.

Tucker's a special case because we bailed on him.

Plenty of starter minutes available. Two weeks into the season and Ayala would be the starting PG.

 

[cuseguy]

So what are the chances of him coming here in 2018?

Plenty of guards available in 2018. I wouldn't go all in on Ayala.

 

[Deano]

MAL

Class of 2017 - PG Jordan Walker (NJ)

 

[cuseguy]

If Ayala doesn't think he's good enough to come in and win the PG position over Howard and Washington, he's not too confident in his abilities.

There may not be a better opportunity in America to earn a starting job immediately at a power program.

 

[cuse10]

Any more on this, Dasher?

And by the way, I appreciate every bit of info you and others take the time to share here.

More info on what? His camp is pulling all of the strings in his recruitment. Look at what he has been saying and who some of the visible figures in his corner are. Y'all like to be fed everything from "insiders" when much of what you need to know about what's going on is literally right in front of you.

 

[Day2]

I basically measure recruiting as are we doing a good job at filling the roster/program's needs and building a sustainable roster that can consistently compete at a high level. I don't really get caught up in rankings as the absolute measuring stick but instead did we do a good job at identifying guys to fill roles we needed and were they productive in their role. I think it was just as important to our success during our great run how we did a strong job identifying the Southerland's, Kris Joseph's, BMK's, Triche's, Rick Jackson's, Scoop's, etc. as it was in landing guys who were McD AA's.

The last few years I don't think we've done a good job filling holes in the roster or in identifying players for roles like in the past.

I don't understand the first or last sentence of your post. There were plenty of very talented point guard options out there and I don't know who you're assuming I would or would not like.

There were not a lot of elite PG prospects, nor were there a lot of PGs who would fit this system. We could bring in Waters and you'd be happy for about 30 seconds. Once it's clear that he's undersized and a liability on defense, you'd go back to saying we can't find a PG.

Your first paragraph seems to contradict everything else you've said thus far. Shouldn't you be happy with signing Washington? Are you forgetting where Jardine was at in terms of development after his first two years? If not, how can you give up on Howard already?

 

[cuse10]

Ayala is a fringe four star prospect. 18 is much deeper. Time for SU to move on.