re: Tide Hoops | Recruiting

Based on what someone VERY connected to the program said earlier today (very cryptically), I would guess Bama is feeling confident. That was the only way I could take what he said.

I choose to believe that it is in fact happening.

Speaking of injuries, anyone know when we can expect the debut of Chris Youngblood?

Hopefully creighton

Is Nate the best "pound for pound" recruiter in CBB right now? He doesn't have the biggest NIL bag or a big CBB brand, but still brings in elite talent as well as guys who have one or both of those things.

quote:

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Father of AJ Dybantsa breaks down why Bama is a finalist, decision timeline, and more

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Four schools remains for the nation’s No. 1 overall player, AJ Dybantsa.

On Wednesday, Dybantsa narrowed his recruitment down to four programs: Alabama, BYU, Kansas, and North Carolina. Auburn, Baylor, and Kansas State were previously in consideration for Dybantsa. He has taken official visits to each of his current finalists.

His father, Ace Dybantsa, spoke with BamaOnLine about why the Tide landed in this group, his recent visit to see them play in person, and more.

“We like what they are selling. And it’s about relationships. That’s pretty much it,” Mr. Dybantsa told BOL of why Alabama made the cut. “The development. The belief that they’re the best; then again, everybody will say they’re the best and they can get you to the league [laughing]. Time will tell.”

The same day that Dybantsa narrowed his recruitment down, his father saw a couple of finalists face off against each other. Mr. Dybantsa was in attendance for Alabama vs. North Carolina in Chapel Hill, which was a part of the SEC/ACC Challenge.

“AJ sent me to go check out both teams,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “See the offense they run because he couldn’t be there. He had school. So, I was pretty much his eyes. That was the plan – We’re going to go to as many games as we can. And the ones we cannot, we’ll watch on TV.”

Bama ended up winning this contest 94-79, fueled by the stellar guard play of Mark Sears (20 points), and Aden Holloway and Labaron Philon (15 points apiece).

BOL asked Mr. Dybantsa for his assessment of what he saw from both teams on Wednesday. He added that he talked with both Bama assistant Preston Murphy and UNC head coach Hubert Davis after the game.

“They had a rough night. That was pretty much it,” Mr. Dybantsa said of North Carolina. “Nothing was going. They couldn’t shoot well. The ball wasn’t moving.”

“Legit team,” Mr. Dybantsa said of Alabama. “They have a chance to go back to the Final Four from what I saw if they keep it up and stop losing players to injuries.”

As he envisions for himself at any of the schools in his final group, Dybantsa believes he can fit in any system at the next level.

“To be quite honest, AJ can fit in any offense,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “That’s not an issue for him. To answer your question directly – Yeah, he can fit in Bama’s offense. He knows the coach, Preston Murphy, very well. Definitely a plus.”

Roll Tide.”

As for his recruitment in general, Mr. Dybantsa says his son is done with taking recruiting visits. There just isn’t enough time for him to go anywhere because of his basketball schedule, but Mr. Dybantsa did not rule out attending another game or so on his own if he can make it work.

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Father of AJ Dybantsa breaks down why Bama is a finalist, decision timeline, and more
by:
Joseph Hastings
•
about 10 hours
AJ Dybantsa Alabama Crimson Tide
No. 1 overall recruit AJ Dybantsa with his parents on his Alabama official visit.
Four schools remains for the nation’s No. 1 overall player, AJ Dybantsa.

On Wednesday, Dybantsa narrowed his recruitment down to four programs: Alabama, BYU, Kansas, and North Carolina. Auburn, Baylor, and Kansas State were previously in consideration for Dybantsa. He has taken official visits to each of his current finalists.

His father, Ace Dybantsa, spoke with BamaOnLine about why the Tide landed in this group, his recent visit to see them play in person, and more.

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03:36
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“We like what they are selling. And it’s about relationships. That’s pretty much it,” Mr. Dybantsa told BOL of why Alabama made the cut. “The development. The belief that they’re the best; then again, everybody will say they’re the best and they can get you to the league [laughing]. Time will tell.”



The same day that Dybantsa narrowed his recruitment down, his father saw a couple of finalists face off against each other. Mr. Dybantsa was in attendance for Alabama vs. North Carolina in Chapel Hill, which was a part of the SEC/ACC Challenge.

“AJ sent me to go check out both teams,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “See the offense they run because he couldn’t be there. He had school. So, I was pretty much his eyes. That was the plan – We’re going to go to as many games as we can. And the ones we cannot, we’ll watch on TV.”

*** Alabama fans, be sure to follow Dybantsa on Instagram (@aj.dybantsa), TikTok (@ajdayoung0g), and Twitter (@ADybantsa) ***

Bama ended up winning this contest 94-79, fueled by the stellar guard play of Mark Sears (20 points), and Aden Holloway and Labaron Philon (15 points apiece).

BOL asked Mr. Dybantsa for his assessment of what he saw from both teams on Wednesday. He added that he talked with both Bama assistant Preston Murphy and UNC head coach Hubert Davis after the game.


“They had a rough night. That was pretty much it,” Mr. Dybantsa said of North Carolina. “Nothing was going. They couldn’t shoot well. The ball wasn’t moving.”

“Legit team,” Mr. Dybantsa said of Alabama. “They have a chance to go back to the Final Four from what I saw if they keep it up and stop losing players to injuries.”

As he envisions for himself at any of the schools in his final group, Dybantsa believes he can fit in any system at the next level.

“To be quite honest, AJ can fit in any offense,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “That’s not an issue for him. To answer your question directly – Yeah, he can fit in Bama’s offense. He knows the coach, Preston Murphy, very well. Definitely a plus.”


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AJ Dybantsa talks relationship with Preston Murphy, decision timeline
That connection with Coach Murphy started a while ago as AJ Dybantsa was briefly coached by him on the AAU circuit. The consensus No. 1 overall player in the country spoke highly of Murphy during our conversation with him after his official visit to Bama in late September.

His father spoke about the longstanding relationship between them.

“He coached him in AAU,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “We’ve known Preston for two or three years now. Like I said, it’s always a plus. There’s a relationship there… he’s known Preston the longest, of all the coaches.”

And what remains the message from Murphy and Alabama?

“Same message,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “They believe they are the best in terms of getting people to the league. So, you need to go there. And Roll Tide.”

As for his recruitment in general, Mr. Dybantsa says his son is done with taking recruiting visits. There just isn’t enough time for him to go anywhere because of his basketball schedule, but Mr. Dybantsa did not rule out attending another game or so on his own if he can make it work.


Dybantsa did not sign during the Early Signing Period last month, and his father laid out the current decision time frame.

“The plan was February,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “Hopefully, it’s going to be this month. If not, next month.”

He opened up about what will matter to his son the most when it’s time to commit.

“Same as before. Same pillars. Haven’t changed,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “Development, family atmosphere, and the program getting him ready for the league the fastest.”

Our final question to Mr. Dybantsa was if he would like to add anything before we concluded the interview, with his response being the following.

“No, nothing really,” Mr. Dybantsa said. “Roll Tide.”

Rylan declined being a major piece for a National Title contender to go play 12mins a game at another school.


Sad

The more games the SEC plays, the more it appears there isn't a definitively bad team in the 16 team league.

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The more games the SEC plays, the more it appears there isn't a definitively bad team in the 16 team league.

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A team going from winless in 18 conference games last year to beating the #1 team by 9 is almost unbelievable (and were up 20+). This conference is INSANE!

At this point, literally every road game is scheduled to be a Q1 game except USC. Kenpom still has USC in top 70 (possibly factoring in last year’s stuff), but NET has them top 100. Either way, this conference is going to be a war.

I’ll stay with my 14-4 preseason pick but even a 13-5 or 12-6 record would be very successful this year.

P.S. loved seeing Hodge’s boys empty the Memphis arena early in the 2nd half.

Mizzou. I believe they were on a 19 game losing streak coming into this season.