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

[justgold315]

We are at 60 pages on this thread. The number of pages we are on the day he decides I'll arbitrarily put at 70. Given that I'll take the under cause I'm an optimist

I predicted tucker at 110 pages, and I was very under. I would say 125 for over/under

 

[kcsu]

You almost have to believe that Ayala has given a verbal but wants to wait because of the aau stuff.

 

[jdubs30]

You almost have to believe that Ayala has given a verbal but wants to wait because of the aau stuff.

This.

If Ayala is waiting until after the UA AAU tournament in mid-July, there is no reason why he couldn't tell the staff his intentions and gave them a silent verbal with the promise that he'll announce right away after. However, if you're JB:

- Are you OK with the kid playing an extra 2 months of ball in a tournament setting with the possibility of getting hurt?
- Would you rather him on campus, with all the other freshman and players getting ready for the season?
- Do you take caution because a "silent verbal" has screwed us in the past?
- What if he has a breakout tournament and starts getting calls from Kansas and Kentucky? Will he stick to his word?


Ayala is good but not a program changer. Get Thorpe and get him on campus ASAP. We can't let Ayala drive this bus until mid-July. It's not fair to us, the current players or Thorpe. I'm all for the kid taking his time, I'm not upset at him - but the staff has to get control of this recruitment. The only way this makes sense for the staff is if they 100% do not want Thorpe and are OK going into next year with Battle, FH and HW - that they'd be willing to take Ayala in 2017 but if he changes his mind that's fine because we don't like the other options out there (I hope this isn't the case).

 

[jordville]

Highlights of Ayala from LA this past weekend...

EA is crafty and good at using his body to draw contact for and-1s. He has some old man game. Swag is always there.

 

[iommi]

You almost have to believe that Ayala has given a verbal but wants to wait because of the aau stuff.

That'd be nice if that were the case.

 

[JazzNC]

I don't know why but Ayala reminds me of Eric Devendorf. Maybe it's the swag, I like him. That swag can be infectious. I like cocky players when they're on my team ;-)

I understand the general consensus is to take Thorpe, and I understand the logic behind it. But IF, just IF we get Ayala, I can see him being a success.

 

[TinyManInside]

I can totally see why JB loves this kid. His activity going towards the basket is so similar to Edelin - he's got those unorthodox release points and weird deceptive wiry strength. Plus he's got a better looking outside shot at the same stage.

Thorpe is more ready to play right now but I would be SHOCKED if JB doesn't wait this out to see what Ayala's decision is first. JB loves this kind of player. I don't think he'll make a move on Thorpe until he absolutely knows what Ayala is going to do.

Mason

 

[iommi]

I can totally see why JB loves this kid. His activity going towards the basket is so similar to Edelin - he's got those unorthodox release points and weird deceptive wiry strength. Plus he's got a better looking outside shot at the same stage.

Thorpe might be more ready to play right now but I would be SHOCKED if JB doesn't wait this out to see what Ayala's decision is first. JB loves this kind of player. I don't think he'll make a move on Thorpe until he absolutely knows what Ayala is going to do.

Mason

My hope is that Thorpe will wait. He's got to read between the very transparent lines here. Is Thorpe willing to wait until possibly August, knowing we are waiting for another player? That's why I hope a third suitor for Thorpe doesn't emerge.

 

[TinyManInside]

My hope is that Thorpe will wait. He's got to read between the very transparent lines here. Is Thorpe willing to wait until possibly August, knowing we are waiting for another player? That's why I hope a third suitor for Thorpe doesn't emerge.

I would bet another decent option pops up for Thorpe if it gets stretched out that long.

 

[littlereg]

So crafty and gritty and just always seems to find a way. Loved his game since I first saw it. I've wanted EA over Thorpe but you could tell thy from my profile picture lol

 

[iommi]

I would bet another decent option pops up for Thorpe if it gets stretched out that long.

Exactly and that's the quandary I foresee as well.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Now I have to figure out how to bkees orange to keep up with the rest of you fans.

Don't try it! It's too risky!

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Highlights of Ayala from LA this past weekend...

EA is crafty and good at using his body to draw contact for and-1s. He has some old man game. Swag is always there.

Damn. I wish i had known about this. I could have been there.
We should have a sticky thread somewhere, where people can list game dates and locations.

 

[littlereg]

Damn. I wish i had known about this. I could have been there.
We should have a sticky thread somewhere, where people can list game dates and locations.

I like this idea a lot. Someone make it happen.

 

[jgeorge322]

This.

If Ayala is waiting until after the UA AAU tournament in mid-July, there is no reason why he couldn't tell the staff his intentions and gave them a silent verbal with the promise that he'll announce right away after. However, if you're JB:

- Are you OK with the kid playing an extra 2 months of ball in a tournament setting with the possibility of getting hurt?
- Would you rather him on campus, with all the other freshman and players getting ready for the season?
- Do you take caution because a "silent verbal" has screwed us in the past?
- What if he has a breakout tournament and starts getting calls from Kansas and Kentucky? Will he stick to his word?


Ayala is good but not a program changer. Get Thorpe and get him on campus ASAP. We can't let Ayala drive this bus until mid-July. It's not fair to us, the current players or Thorpe. I'm all for the kid taking his time, I'm not upset at him - but the staff has to get control of this recruitment. The only way this makes sense for the staff is if they 100% do not want Thorpe and are OK going into next year with Battle, FH and HW - that they'd be willing to take Ayala in 2017 but if he changes his mind that's fine because we don't like the other options out there (I hope this isn't the case).

Why not have ayala sign the papers and just not tell anyone. Its not like there are repercussions to EA or cuse for that.

 

[HoustonCuse]

Why not have ayala sign the papers and just not tell anyone. Its not like there are repercussions to EA or cuse for that.

That may have happened. Right?

 

[jgeorge322]

That may have happened. Right?

Couldve. It would be smart. I believe JB is very intelligent, so it is possible.

 

[kcsu]

That'd be nice if that were the case.

If its not JB needs to be put out to pasture. One green is enough

 

[CaptainJ]

I've watched a lot of Syracuse basketball and you can say whatever you want. I d like to take your money on this being your so cocky. Guarantee if Thorpe comes here he starts at point guard day 1 whether boeheim guarentees it or not. Don't run your mouth frank Howard is terrible.

I am a strong proponent of making monetary wagers on here. It makes folks think more about things they claim with certainty. That being said, I don't have a horse in this race and am not telling you to do it unless you are certain. I'm one for one in bets folks have accepted on here(making the tournament the season before last, but told the fella to keep his money...he didnt seem like he thought losing was a possibility lol), and wouldnt even mind seeing a subforum on here for it.

Im serious too, I think it would have an overall calming psychological effect. It also would help some of the many of bold proclamations that are usually quickly forgotten, be remembered a bit longer than otherwise.

FWIW, I could see Boeheim starting EITHER of FH or GT, and could easily picture a scenario where one of them got Boeheimed quickly. That would effectively make the other one the starter.

 

[jordville]

Damn. I wish i had known about this. I could have been there.
We should have a sticky thread somewhere, where people can list game dates and locations.

Both Nike and UA circuits were there this past weekend... Oh Lord

 

[two3zone]

You almost have to believe that Ayala has given a verbal but wants to wait because of the aau stuff.

These silent verbals have an excellent track record for us lately.

 

[iommi]

These silent verbals have an excellent track record for us lately.

 

[CaptainJ]

View attachment 98703

After they burn us, I no longer wish they were here.



(I have a ticket to see Roger Waters this weekend and hear Wish You Were Here, may not be able to go though).

 

[cuseinseattle]

A huge (some might say THE) source of info being in WA is a huge reason why some people are posting less frequently. Board ridiculousness is another reason.

Thanks for the recognition iommi! Or were you talking about Mike Hopkins.

 

[Day2]

Ayala is good but not a program changer. Get Thorpe and get him on campus ASAP. We can't let Ayala drive this bus until mid-July. It's not fair to us, the current players or Thorpe. I'm all for the kid taking his time, I'm not upset at him - but the staff has to get control of this recruitment.

Who says they don't? They have all the leverage here. There's no reason to ditch this plan in favor of bringing in Thorpe ASAP other than it will preserve the collective sanity of this board.

Once Dolezaj signed, I breathed a sigh of relief. We have one scholarship left and it's going to Thorpe or Ayala. Everything's going to be fine.