Twitter Tuesday: Targets for Florida, Virginia, Syracuse, more
We are back for another #TwitterTuesday as we address some of the potential dominoes that could fall this spring. While we’re in the meat of the NCAA Tournament and the coaching carousel continues to revolve, the 2018 class is one that is very important for a litany of programs.
Today we look at where things stand at Florida, Virginia and Syracuse, and what the future might entail for top-100 wing Robby Carmody.
Let’s not act as if Florida hasn’t done great work on the recruiting front since making the hiring of Mike White. It sits with a top class within the SEC this spring and was also able to keep the commitment of KeVaughn Allen and the majority of the 2015 class when Billy Donovan left for Oklahoma City. However, the class of 2018 is even more promising for the Gators.
Florida desperately needs a playmaking guard in two years and it sits in a good spot with some of the best that the nation has to offer. The Gators are heavily in the mix for Jordan Walker, Devon Dotson and Elijah Weaver, and things are even more promising in the frontcourt. Despite not needing a 4-man, Florida has put itself in a great position for four-star big man Emmitt Williams and improving forward Darius Days. The potential star that they stand the best chance with is Nassir Little, a 6-foot-7, talented forward out of Orlando.
Quickly some background on Carmody: He is a 6-foot-4 swingman out of Pittsburgh that is the epitome of a blue-collar workhorse. Capable of defending various spots on the floor, Carmody is a very explosive athlete at the basket. He has won at every level and a number of top flight programs have chased after the four-star guard.
Notre Dame is fighting off a number of nearby programs for his services. Northwestern, Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, Purdue, Butler and Michigan are among those in the best shape for him. When push comes to shove, it would seem Butler, Michigan, Syracuse and Purdue might be the early leaders for him. However, Notre Dame was one of the dream schools for Carmody growing up, which could bode well as he enters his final year of travel ball this summer.
It might be difficult to say that Syracuse is a favorite for anyone in the 2018 class, but it can be seen heavily in the mix for many top prospects from the Northeast.
Eric Ayala, a potential reclass into the 2017 class, has spoken favorably about the Orange in recent months as his relationship with assistant coach Gerry McNamara could be the helping hand in Ayala’s commitment to the ACC program.
Hameir Wright might be the most favorable and heaviest lean when it comes to a capable Syracuse commit in 2018. Reclassing back a year, Wright has always been a favorite of the Orange and while he does still need to become more consistent with his play, he does bring favorable traits as a combo forward that has excelled in the past at Syracuse.
The Orange haven’t had much of a facilitating point guard since Tyler Ennis. Thus, their affection for Jahvon Quinerly is real as the Hudson Catholic guard has cemented his standing as one of the best guards this winter and with it, has seen his stock soar in the eyes of the Orange’s coaching staff. Others to keep tabs on include Carmody, Jalen Smith, AJ Reeves, Cam Reddish and Naz Reid.
Virginia needs a big man in 2018, along with a playmaking guard that can make shots. The Wahoos’ favorite is Quinerly, a guard out of New Jersey that Syracuse is also pursuing. Virginia made Quinerly a priority early, which impressed the 6-foot junior. Others in the mix include Arizona, Stanford, Ohio State and Villanova.
The two others Virginia may have the best chance with are Jalen Smith and Brandon Slater. Products of the loaded DMV region, Smith and Slater are top 50 prospects that boast even more upside compared to some of their peers near them in the rankings. Not much is known about Smith as he tends to keep things close to the vest, while Slater has been to campus a number of times and remains a priority target for Miami, Villanova, Maryland and Louisville.
