We're in the EYBL, which is the best league in America by far. The competition is far and away a step above anything else out there. So we're not afraid to play anyone, given that we play the best teams in America on a game by game basis. The best play in the EYBL, which is exactly where we are.

Then why aren't you playing in the state tourney?

We're in the EYBL, which is the best league in America by far. The competition is far and away a step above anything else out there. So we're not afraid to play anyone, given that we play the best teams in America on a game by game basis. The best play in the EYBL, which is exactly where we are.

 

I don't have a dog in this fight as I have no affinity for either team (Travelers or Magic). However, I hope you aren't equating your team playing in a good league with being the better team here. It's certainly up in the air as to who has the better 17U team - its by no means a given.

This would be equivalent to saying that just because UK's football team plays in the best college football conference in the country, they are therefore the best team in KY. I believe they were actually #3 in the state last year.

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Then why aren't you playing in the state tourney?

 

I think he explained it, they are far superior to any other team and/ players in Kentucky, and too busy playing teams and players that are superior than the KY teams. Basically that the other KY teams and players stink, and aren't worthy.

I don't have a dog in this fight as I have no affinity for either team (Travelers or Magic). However, I hope you aren't equating your team playing in a good league with being the better team here. It's certainly up in the air as to who has the better 17U team - its by no means a given.

This would be equivalent to saying that just because UK's football team plays in the best college football conference in the country, they are therefore the best team in KY. I believe they were actually #3 in the state last year.

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This

We're in the EYBL, which is the best league in America by far. The competition is far and away a step above anything else out there. So we're not afraid to play anyone, given that we play the best teams in America on a game by game basis. The best play in the EYBL, which is exactly where we are.

 

Exactly the response I expected.

 

If it is about exposure as has been claimed, I watched games with Dave Telep (ESPN), Brian Snow Scout), Eric Bosse (Rivals) and numerous other guys that run national scouting services last weekend in Ft Wayne. Watched big time Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and independent squads get after it at a high level for 3 days in the process.

 

Is there a clear reason this event was worth skipping for a team like the Travelers???

The Magic 17s would beat the Travelers 17s. The Travelers are smart to avoid the Magic. That loss to the Magic would hurt what they are trying to do.

 

I'll say it.

The Magic 17s would beat the Travelers 17s. The Travelers are smart to avoid the Magic. That loss to the Magic would hurt what they are trying to do.

 

I'll say it.

 

Tru dat homie...

The Magic 17s would beat the Travelers 17s. The Travelers are smart to avoid the Magic. That loss to the Magic would hurt what they are trying to do.

 

I'll say it.

 

Even if they would beat the Travelers, how would it hurt "what they are trying to do?" It might help the Magic, but it won't really affect the Travelers. With the Travelers being the Nike program of the state, they will always get their fair share of elite kids because of the fact that they get to play in the EYBL (no matter how good or bad they do).

 

I think the Magic need to play the Travelers much more than the Travelers need to play the Magic.

Even if they would beat the Travelers, how would it hurt "what they are trying to do?" It might help the Magic, but it won't really affect the Travelers. With the Travelers being the Nike program of the state, they will always get their fair share of elite kids because of the fact that they get to play in the EYBL (no matter how good or bad they do).

 

I think the Magic need to play the Travelers much more than the Travelers need to play the Magic.

 

 

The Travelers are trying to establish themselves as THE ELITE team in Kentucky. That has been their M.O. since they came from Tennessee. The Magic have already established themselves as THE ELITE AAU program in Kentucky. If these two teams played and the Magic won then in this day and age of immediate results you'd see more elite kids gravitating towards to Magic program and not the Travelers. When my kid is of age he'll be trying out for the Magic and hopefully he'll earn a spot. The Magic are already a proven commodity with proven results. The jury is still out on the Travelers.

We're in the EYBL, which is the best league in America by far. The competition is far and away a step above anything else out there. So we're not afraid to play anyone, given that we play the best teams in America on a game by game basis. The best play in the EYBL, which is exactly where we are.

 

So will you be playing in the state tourney and/or the AAU Nationals?

The Travelers are trying to establish themselves as THE ELITE team in Kentucky. That has been their M.O. since they came from Tennessee. The Magic have already established themselves as THE ELITE AAU program in Kentucky. If these two teams played and the Magic won then in this day and age of immediate results you'd see more elite kids gravitating towards to Magic program and not the Travelers. When my kid is of age he'll be trying out for the Magic and hopefully he'll earn a spot. The Magic are already a proven commodity with proven results. The jury is still out on the Travelers.

 

It sounds like you are talking as a fan, or as a parent who cares more about winning and accomplishments during high school. The Magic can be the "Elite Program," but at the end of the day, that's all propsective. As a parent of an elite kid, I don't care who wins more between two AAU basketball teams. I want my kid to play in the tourneys that will play in front of the best/most big time coaches. That right now would be in the EYBL. Most elite kids want to do the same.

 

Nike took a huge step forward when they added the EYBL. With so many new tourneys being added, the competition in these April and July tourneys are really being watered down. So again the Magic have the better team right now, but until Adidas does the same thing Nike does with their grassroots program, the Travelers program (as long as they have a Nike sponsorship) will always be highly regarded and have that clear advantage over the Magic program.

Exactly the response I expected.

 

If it is about exposure as has been claimed, I watched games with Dave Telep (ESPN), Brian Snow Scout), Eric Bosse (Rivals) and numerous other guys that run national scouting services last weekend in Ft Wayne. Watched big time Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and independent squads get after it at a high level for 3 days in the process.

 

Is there a clear reason this event was worth skipping for a team like the Travelers???

 

IMO, playing in front of scouting services is always good, but adding the two weekends in April and three in July, scouting services aren't nearly as important as they were a few years ago. Coaches can now rely on their own judgement a lot more.

IMO, playing in front of scouting services is always good, but adding the two weekends in April and three in July, scouting services aren't nearly as important as they were a few years ago. Coaches can now rely on their own judgement a lot more.

 

The number of days on the road is the same. Just less days in July to cover the added days in April...

It sounds like you are talking as a fan, or as a parent who cares more about winning and accomplishments during high school. The Magic can be the "Elite Program," but at the end of the day, that's all propsective. As a parent of an elite kid, I don't care who wins more between two AAU basketball teams. I want my kid to play in the tourneys that will play in front of the best/most big time coaches. That right now would be in the EYBL. Most elite kids want to do the same.

 

Nike took a huge step forward when they added the EYBL. With so many new tourneys being added, the competition in these April and July tourneys are really being watered down. So again the Magic have the better team right now, but until Adidas does the same thing Nike does with their grassroots program, the Travelers program (as long as they have a Nike sponsorship) will always be highly regarded and have that clear advantage over the Magic program.

 

Uhhh..no. I'm talking as a fan/parent/observer of a Magic program that in its first class of players graduating from the program(2014) they will have produced multiple D-1 recruits due to the exposure they have received as Louisville Magic players. Quentin Snider-Louisville, D'Angelo Russell-will pick what D-1 school he wants, Jordan Green-D-1 school, Trey Grundy-D-1 school, Brandon Hatton-looking like a D-1 school is likely, I'm hearing LaMontrey Harris is getting solid D-1 looks. That's off the top of my head without properly researching. All of these kids created the foundation of the Louisville Magic program. That is proven results to me. Oh, and their current head coach is headed to USC to be an assistant coach and that will create a direct pipeline to USC. I hope the Travelers program does great things and I wish them well and their program well. The time is now for the move to Kentucky to enjoy this talent that our state is currently producing. The Magic has only won a handful of the tournaments they have been in but to act as though they haven't played in big time tournaments in front of big time colleges or scouts is false information. They have received just as much scouting and played in just as many tournaments nationally as those kids in the EYBL.

 

I love talking about a matchup between the Magic and Travelers programs for kicks and giggles but if you believe that if they played that the loser wouldn't be hurt by that loss then you are being naive. The Magic program is every bit as good as the Travelers program if exposure and recognition is what you are after.

The number of days on the road is the same. Just less days in July to cover the added days in April...

 

Agreed. But this allows for more events as most teams didn't attend events covering every day due to travel and fatigue.