PART 1, Interview completed Sunday
Trove Question: Eric, thanks for taking the time out to speak with me today. To jump right into things, I would like to first touch on the newest roster additions for Seton Hall. Bryce Aiken recently committed to play for one season as a graduate transfer. What do you think of his style play and how he fits into the program?
Eric: Obviously they needed to replace some scoring with Myles Powell graduating and he can fill it up. You never know for sure how well things will translate from the Ivy League to the Big East especially because Bryce had some injury issues in the past, but in terms of being what they are looking for, he is a perfect fit.
He is a high-volume scorer, a guy who needs the balls in his hands. He has loads of confidence and isn’t afraid to take the big shot. From that regard, he kind of slides right into what they need in picking up the slack with Myles leaving. He has a lot of experience too. He’s not coming in not having a handle on the college basketball game. Yes, it’s going to be a different competition level on a daily basis, but he’s proven what he can do.
Finding someone in the spring who can at least partially replace what you’re losing in Powell and McKnight was a big deal and finding a guy who can do it at his level is a great thing.
Q: You would expect some current guys on the roster to take the next step and handle more of the scoring load, but bringing in a savvy, experienced player like Bryce who should be able to score in the teens on a routine basis should give the program a solid chance to extend their consecutive NCAA tournament appearance streak.
A: It should make life easier for Willard. It also gives a kid like Jahari Long time to adjust to the college level.
Q: I think it may be understated how important the existing relationship is between Bryce and Seton Hall and Myles Powell as he gets acclimated to a new program. Obviously, he was recruited by Seton Hall out of high school, so there is an existing familiarity and comfort level, but being close to Myles and being able to pick his brain, ask him what Willard looks for in certain situations can go a long way to winning some close games.
A: He picked Harvard over Seton Hall. He’s a Jersey guy, Seton Hall is home to him like it was for Powell. He knows the drill and the familiarity and understanding of what is expected of you as a player is really big for a team because often the biggest battle for these guys is making the transition and adjusting to expectations. He has that down. Obviously being a Harvard graduate he knows how to balance school and academics, so he can hit the ground running.
Q: The other new addition is Tray Jackson, a freshman who transferred out of Missouri. It appears that his transfer had a lot to do with fit and playing time. He had visited Seton Hall in high school and now will have a chance to wear the Pirate Blue. What do you think of his game and how does it fit into the team?
A: I am a big Tray Jackson fan. I liked him a lot as a high school prospect and I liked him as a transfer. I will never understand why he didn’t play a little bit more at Missouri because when he did get extended time, I thought he looked really good.
He’s an ideal kind of big man in today’s small ball era because he’s athletic, he can switch and defend multiple positions, he cleans the glass and runs the floor. Offensively, he can put the ball on the floor a little bit. He is not a great shooter yet, but I think in time he’s going to force guys to at least respect that he’s a threat to shoot from 15 to 20 feet. He can be an energy guy. I just like all of the tools that he has to be a really productive college player. I think that he’s a potential all conference kind of guy if he gets things fingered out.
Q: From your lips to God’s ears. I think the fan base is going to love to hear that. It is difficult to tell how these players will transition from high school to college campuses, so it is great to hear that his best basketball is likely still in front on him.
The other new player I wanted to ask you about is Takal Molson. He’s not so much a new addition to the team as he is a new addition to the rotation. He sat out last year after transferring from Canisius. I am not sure how much you have seen him play since he wasn’t highly recruited out of high school, but if you are able to, it would be great to get your perspective on how he can help the team next season.
A: I have never seen him play, but I know they are hoping for him to be kind of the new Quincy McKnight. Yesterday as I was prepping for this interview, I found some clips on him and he certainly looks long and lean, a slasher with an all-around game.
Q: Switching gears to guys who are looking to commit soon and have Seton Hall among their final choices is Ryan Conway. I know he was supposed to commit yesterday, but it got pushed back. I know you wrote that he was a good fit for the program and expected him to end up in South Orange after high school. I haven’t seen him play in person, but watching his clips and highlights, I think of Bryce Aiken, maybe a little bit undersized, but a lead guard and a good shooter.
A: I think he’s a potentially a very much quality Big East-level point guard. He’s a little slight, but you have to remember he’s just finishing his junior year of high school. He’s quick and pretty elusive with the ball. I like the reads he makes, especially in ball screens and things like that because he can shoot and has a little bit of a burst to him quickness wise. He’s a potential problem.
I think it sets up nice because you’ll have Aiken this year and assuming you get Conway, he’s going to be able to come in and Jahari Long will have a year under his belt and he should be a nice backup or nice combo to play with Long as they settle into their roles.
Trove Question: Eric, thanks for taking the time out to speak with me today. To jump right into things, I would like to first touch on the newest roster additions for Seton Hall. Bryce Aiken recently committed to play for one season as a graduate transfer. What do you think of his style play and how he fits into the program?
Eric: Obviously they needed to replace some scoring with Myles Powell graduating and he can fill it up. You never know for sure how well things will translate from the Ivy League to the Big East especially because Bryce had some injury issues in the past, but in terms of being what they are looking for, he is a perfect fit.
He is a high-volume scorer, a guy who needs the balls in his hands. He has loads of confidence and isn’t afraid to take the big shot. From that regard, he kind of slides right into what they need in picking up the slack with Myles leaving. He has a lot of experience too. He’s not coming in not having a handle on the college basketball game. Yes, it’s going to be a different competition level on a daily basis, but he’s proven what he can do.
Finding someone in the spring who can at least partially replace what you’re losing in Powell and McKnight was a big deal and finding a guy who can do it at his level is a great thing.
Q: You would expect some current guys on the roster to take the next step and handle more of the scoring load, but bringing in a savvy, experienced player like Bryce who should be able to score in the teens on a routine basis should give the program a solid chance to extend their consecutive NCAA tournament appearance streak.
A: It should make life easier for Willard. It also gives a kid like Jahari Long time to adjust to the college level.
Q: I think it may be understated how important the existing relationship is between Bryce and Seton Hall and Myles Powell as he gets acclimated to a new program. Obviously, he was recruited by Seton Hall out of high school, so there is an existing familiarity and comfort level, but being close to Myles and being able to pick his brain, ask him what Willard looks for in certain situations can go a long way to winning some close games.
A: He picked Harvard over Seton Hall. He’s a Jersey guy, Seton Hall is home to him like it was for Powell. He knows the drill and the familiarity and understanding of what is expected of you as a player is really big for a team because often the biggest battle for these guys is making the transition and adjusting to expectations. He has that down. Obviously being a Harvard graduate he knows how to balance school and academics, so he can hit the ground running.
Q: The other new addition is Tray Jackson, a freshman who transferred out of Missouri. It appears that his transfer had a lot to do with fit and playing time. He had visited Seton Hall in high school and now will have a chance to wear the Pirate Blue. What do you think of his game and how does it fit into the team?
A: I am a big Tray Jackson fan. I liked him a lot as a high school prospect and I liked him as a transfer. I will never understand why he didn’t play a little bit more at Missouri because when he did get extended time, I thought he looked really good.
He’s an ideal kind of big man in today’s small ball era because he’s athletic, he can switch and defend multiple positions, he cleans the glass and runs the floor. Offensively, he can put the ball on the floor a little bit. He is not a great shooter yet, but I think in time he’s going to force guys to at least respect that he’s a threat to shoot from 15 to 20 feet. He can be an energy guy. I just like all of the tools that he has to be a really productive college player. I think that he’s a potential all conference kind of guy if he gets things fingered out.
Q: From your lips to God’s ears. I think the fan base is going to love to hear that. It is difficult to tell how these players will transition from high school to college campuses, so it is great to hear that his best basketball is likely still in front on him.
The other new player I wanted to ask you about is Takal Molson. He’s not so much a new addition to the team as he is a new addition to the rotation. He sat out last year after transferring from Canisius. I am not sure how much you have seen him play since he wasn’t highly recruited out of high school, but if you are able to, it would be great to get your perspective on how he can help the team next season.
A: I have never seen him play, but I know they are hoping for him to be kind of the new Quincy McKnight. Yesterday as I was prepping for this interview, I found some clips on him and he certainly looks long and lean, a slasher with an all-around game.
Q: Switching gears to guys who are looking to commit soon and have Seton Hall among their final choices is Ryan Conway. I know he was supposed to commit yesterday, but it got pushed back. I know you wrote that he was a good fit for the program and expected him to end up in South Orange after high school. I haven’t seen him play in person, but watching his clips and highlights, I think of Bryce Aiken, maybe a little bit undersized, but a lead guard and a good shooter.
A: I think he’s a potentially a very much quality Big East-level point guard. He’s a little slight, but you have to remember he’s just finishing his junior year of high school. He’s quick and pretty elusive with the ball. I like the reads he makes, especially in ball screens and things like that because he can shoot and has a little bit of a burst to him quickness wise. He’s a potential problem.
I think it sets up nice because you’ll have Aiken this year and assuming you get Conway, he’s going to be able to come in and Jahari Long will have a year under his belt and he should be a nice backup or nice combo to play with Long as they settle into their roles.
