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.

,

 

Not a bad analogy at all.

The Magic is sponsored by Under Armor now. They are no longer with Adidas.

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

 

That's your hypothesis. It's the same number of events and days. Reads more like an excuse honestly...

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.

 

Not being naive at all. Its just being realistic. And not just a Travelers vs Magic issue. Its a Nike vs non-Nike issue. The 17U Magic team has earned their recognition because of how good they are and have been. The Travelers don't have that because they haven't been as good. But they are still playing in the biggest exclusive tourneys in the country that most teams can't attend. And this is without doing nearly as much as the Magic 17U has. If the 17U Magic weren't as dominant as they have been these past two years and were just average, do you think the amount of exposure and recognition would be on the same level as what the Travelers get?

 

Thinking the loser will be hurt by one game is not thinking rationally. The Travelers play in the EYBL. That is the undoubtedly Mecca of AAU right now. That alone will get them their share of the top kids in KY and the region. They currently have arguably the top 15U and 16U kid in Kentucky because of that very reason.

They currently have arguably the top 15U and 16U kid in Kentucky because of that very reason.

 

D'Angelo Hunter and Quentin Goodin would disagree...

That's your hypothesis. It's the same number of events and days. Reads more like an excuse honestly...

 

And thats fine if thats how you read it. College coaches thought the same thing.

 

Proposals would alter college basketball recruiting calendar yet again - ESPN

 

I understand this is another opinion piece, but these thoughts came into adjusting the schedule from college coaches as well.

And thats fine if thats how you read it. College coaches thought the same thing.

 

Proposals would alter college basketball recruiting calendar yet again - ESPN

 

I understand this is another opinion piece, but these thoughts came into adjusting the schedule from college coaches as well.

Yes coaches wanted out in April, but that piece is from before anything was in motion. They kept the days the same instead of opening up April and leaving July alone. Same number of days. Same number of events. Same number of kids seen. Same amount of travel for coaches going all over the country to see their targets...

Travelers should compete in the AAU State Tourny???? Why? Do any of you actually know the purpose of the AAU State tournament? I'm guessing no judging by the direction this topic has taken. The AAU state tournament is a requirement in every state for those teams who have or would like to qualify for AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Nationals... Seeing as how the Tennessee Travelers do not compete on the AAU circuit and cannot/will not compete in AAU Nationals, it would make absolutely no sense for them to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union's State Tournament.... Because of Kentucky's relative unfamiliarity with how AAU actually works, most don't realize this and use the term AAU when discussing all travel basketball teams, and confuse the AAU state tournament as being a tournament for all the teams in Kentucky to compete in. This is not the case.... In most States, the majority of teams in those States DO NOT compete in their AAU State Tournaments; especially if they have already qualified for AAU Nationals at an AAU Super Regional.

 

Regarding the Travelers and Magic programs, both are currently strong programs, but I don't see the Magic lasting much longer as an elite program in the State. They received the Under Armour sponsorship because of the talent in their 17U team, but they don't have anywhere near the same amount of talent in their younger age groups. And with the emergence of other strong programs like Derby State Thoroughbreds, Team Manimal, TBC, NKY Bulldogs, Hoop Dreams, and others; they are not getting all the best talent in the upcoming classes. At the end of the day who cares which team is best, I am just excited about the direction AAU (Travel) Basketball is headed in the State..... No matter how hard KHSAA tries, AAU is finally taking off in the State and I am loving it!!!

Yes coaches wanted out in April, but that piece is from before anything was in motion. They kept the days the same instead of opening up April and leaving July alone. Same number of days. Same number of events. Same number of kids seen. Same amount of travel for coaches going all over the country to see their targets...

 

? I don't think I follow you but its no big deal take it however you want its not worth arguing. Coaches wanted April to be open again for travel and cost reasons. They spread the days out again last year.

Travelers should compete in the AAU State Tourny???? Why? Do any of you actually know the purpose of the AAU State tournament? I'm guessing no judging by the direction this topic has taken. The AAU state tournament is a requirement in every state for those teams who have or would like to qualify for AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Nationals... Seeing as how the Tennessee Travelers do not compete on the AAU circuit and cannot/will not compete in AAU Nationals, it would make absolutely no sense for them to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union's State Tournament.... Because of Kentucky's relative unfamiliarity with how AAU actually works, most don't realize this and use the term AAU when discussing all travel basketball teams, and confuse the AAU state tournament as being a tournament for all the teams in Kentucky to compete in. This is not the case.... In most States, the majority of teams in those States DO NOT compete in their AAU State Tournaments; especially if they have already qualified for AAU Nationals at an AAU Super Regional.

 

Regarding the Travelers and Magic programs, both are currently strong programs, but I don't see the Magic lasting much longer as an elite program in the State. They received the Under Armour sponsorship because of the talent in their 17U team, but they don't have anywhere near the same amount of talent in their younger age groups. And with the emergence of other strong programs like Derby State Thoroughbreds, Team Manimal, TBC, NKY Bulldogs, Hoop Dreams, and others; they are not getting all the best talent in the upcoming classes. At the end of the day who cares which team is best, I am just excited about the direction AAU (Travel) Basketball is headed in the State..... No matter how hard KHSAA tries, AAU is finally taking off in the State and I am loving it!!!

 

IMO a program that is sponsored will always remain elite. Their younger ages might not be on the level as the 17U was, but most teams aren't. If you can get kids to play and travel for free you will always attract the best kids. Some of the kids from the teams you mentioned could possibly end up playing with the Magic.

 

? I don't think I follow you but its no big deal take it however you want its not worth arguing. Coaches wanted April to be open again for travel and cost reasons. They spread the days out again last year.

 

Travel and cost is bogus reasoning. I talk to a lot of college coaches on a regular basis and they were all over the country in April...

Travelers should compete in the AAU State Tourny???? Why? Do any of you actually know the purpose of the AAU State tournament? I'm guessing no judging by the direction this topic has taken. The AAU state tournament is a requirement in every state for those teams who have or would like to qualify for AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Nationals... Seeing as how the Tennessee Travelers do not compete on the AAU circuit and cannot/will not compete in AAU Nationals, it would make absolutely no sense for them to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union's State Tournament.... Because of Kentucky's relative unfamiliarity with how AAU actually works, most don't realize this and use the term AAU when discussing all travel basketball teams, and confuse the AAU state tournament as being a tournament for all the teams in Kentucky to compete in. This is not the case.... In most States, the majority of teams in those States DO NOT compete in their AAU State Tournaments; especially if they have already qualified for AAU Nationals at an AAU Super Regional.

 

Regarding the Travelers and Magic programs, both are currently strong programs, but I don't see the Magic lasting much longer as an elite program in the State. They received the Under Armour sponsorship because of the talent in their 17U team, but they don't have anywhere near the same amount of talent in their younger age groups. And with the emergence of other strong programs like Derby State Thoroughbreds, Team Manimal, TBC, NKY Bulldogs, Hoop Dreams, and others; they are not getting all the best talent in the upcoming classes. At the end of the day who cares which team is best, I am just excited about the direction AAU (Travel) Basketball is headed in the State..... No matter how hard KHSAA tries, AAU is finally taking off in the State and I am loving it!!!

 

I agree with AAU taking off and that is a good thing for Kentucky. I think everyone on here knows the purpose of the Ky State AAU tourney and qualifying for nationals and all of that. For our own selfish reasons as fans of the game of basketball and of Ky high school basketball we want a Magic/Travelers game. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. The Magic 17s are two time defending champions in their age group and as far as I know they never competed in the AAU national tournament. If I am wrong someone please correct me.

 

Like Hoopmania said, as long as an AAU team is sponsored by someone like Nike, Under Armor, Adidas, etc then they will always attract the elite talent IMO as well.

Travelers should compete in the AAU State Tourny???? Why? Do any of you actually know the purpose of the AAU State tournament? I'm guessing no judging by the direction this topic has taken. The AAU state tournament is a requirement in every state for those teams who have or would like to qualify for AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Nationals... Seeing as how the Tennessee Travelers do not compete on the AAU circuit and cannot/will not compete in AAU Nationals, it would make absolutely no sense for them to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union's State Tournament.... Because of Kentucky's relative unfamiliarity with how AAU actually works, most don't realize this and use the term AAU when discussing all travel basketball teams, and confuse the AAU state tournament as being a tournament for all the teams in Kentucky to compete in. This is not the case.... In most States, the majority of teams in those States DO NOT compete in their AAU State Tournaments; especially if they have already qualified for AAU Nationals at an AAU Super Regional.

 

Regarding the Travelers and Magic programs, both are currently strong programs, but I don't see the Magic lasting much longer as an elite program in the State. They received the Under Armour sponsorship because of the talent in their 17U team, but they don't have anywhere near the same amount of talent in their younger age groups. And with the emergence of other strong programs like Derby State Thoroughbreds, Team Manimal, TBC, NKY Bulldogs, Hoop Dreams, and others; they are not getting all the best talent in the upcoming classes. At the end of the day who cares which team is best, I am just excited about the direction AAU (Travel) Basketball is headed in the State..... No matter how hard KHSAA tries, AAU is finally taking off in the State and I am loving it!!!

 

It's been a long time since anyone really considered the AAU State Tournament as a means to get a bid to Nationals. The tournament has always been about bragging rights and seeing how you stack up against other players and programs in the state. Travelers should play in the state because it's a weekend where you can basically put your money where your mouth is for all organizations. You want to be the big dog in the state then here is where you can get that done.

 

As far as the other programs that you mentioned competing on an annual basis with either the Magic or the Travelers it will not happen unless they come up with some serious sponsorship. The better players in those programs would gravitate to the Nike or Under Armour sponsored programs if given the opportunity.

As far as the other programs that you mentioned competing on an annual basis with either the Magic or the Travelers it will not happen unless they come up with some serious sponsorship. The better players in those programs would gravitate to the Nike or Under Armour sponsored programs if given the opportunity.

 

Not too many teams will be able to compete on the level of the Travelers each year because they will get the best players year in and year out, period... How many of you have actually been to see a game on the Nike EYBL circuit or to Nike Peach Jam??? This guy has (me) has more than once, and any kid who chose to play with an Under Armour, Adidas, Converse, or any other team when they have the opportunity to play for an EYBL team would be insane!!! I don't even know why we continue to talk about the "Magic Program" as if they have established a dynasty when they have "ONE" really good team and several other average teams???? I would love to see how long this program keeps their "Under Armour Sponsorship" after their 2014 class graduates? From my vast experience with the circuit, I have learned that those sponsorships can go away as fast as they came when a program is not producing multiple D1 prospects each year.

 

And while we are on the topic of sponsorships; aren't Hoop Dreams and Team Manimal sponsored by Adidas. Adidas is much more dominant on the AAU circuit than Under Armour in terms of the amount of successful teams (ie... Indiana Elite, Eric Gordon All Stars, Ohio Basketball Club, Dallas Mustangs, Atlanta Celtics, Florida Elite, and many more). So why would the Magic be considered above Adidas or on the same level of Nike?

I am a regular at Boo Williams and the Peach Jam. Go every year I can because at the highest level it is off the charts good. But let's be honest here, the Travelers aren't at that level. At best they are two levels below a team like Spiece this year and maybe more...