DCOrange

Sure, we've had some fluky runs. That doesn't make us a top 25 program. The last time we were considered a top 25 team in the country was 2014; we used to be there nearly every single season from the 80s through 2014. Be it the sanctions, people just not wanting to deal with Jim anymore, or something else, the program has undeniably fallen off from where it used to be. Those schools are better than us more often than not now.

I don't mean for that to come off as depressing. Those are all good schools. We certainly used to be ahead of them in the early 2000s-2010s, but we fell off when we joined the ACC (and received the sanctions) and have never fully recovered. We aren't a top 25 kind of program right now; more like a top 30-50.

I don't think he's expected to run and he shouldn't feel the need to do so. Everyone knows he's likely a 4.55ish guy.

Hopefully he proves his high school scouting report right. Needless to say he was a disappointment at Marquette but you never know what a change of scenery can do. Certainly our most athletic guard now. He's young for his class too so he might just not have been ready for college ball at the time. That's my optimistic take.

West Virginia, UConn, Creighton, Maryland, and arguably Seton Hall would all likely be upgrades just talent wise, not to mention likely giving him the opportunity to start and be a key cog rather than sitting behind a worse player here. I would guess he ends up at UConn or Maryland when it's all said and done and they'll give him a good shot at going to the NBA next year. Would be great if Braswell backed out and came back to Syracuse but that kind of situation is extremely rare if it's ever happened.

A lot of smart people would say Najee makes the most sense for our offense of any of the RBs in this class (not to say those that prefer Etienne are not smart, just saying a lot of people think Najee is precisely the type of RB we need). Having said that, I remain vehemently against taking a RB in Round 1. I'm not going to lose my mind if that's the direction they ultimately go, but it would be very disappointing.

Anselem was our 3rd freshman commit this past year and was expected to fight for the starting job next season with Jesse Edwards.

I'm nowhere near finishing grading my QBs for this year's class, but I would guess Fields will have a higher grade than Wilson and I think building around Darnold would be a smart decision so I would vote for Wilson here.

Is Symir a ray of sunshine? He's been terrible his two years in college so far; there's a reason we're talking about beating the likes of Albany for him while our beloved Kadary is contemplating a bunch of good offers. I also think think things have changed since the Dion/MCW years. For starters, MCW was the unquestioned starter and star of the team his second year so that already is different from Boeheim potentially bringing Kadary off the bench as a sophomore. Dion came off the bench behind two good starters on an absolutely stacked Syracuse team. Kadary would be coming off the bench behind a bad starter on a top 30ish team. But also, with the free transfer rule, I'm not sure we would have even gotten a second year out of Dion and MCW if they were here today.

FWIW, Jim is saying that he told Kadary the best player would start, but I'm sure that's what he told him before the year began too and that's obviously not how it played out.

I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up starting next year for a better school than we currently are. From what I've seen, it sounds like Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, and Memphis are among the most interested right now.

We'll have a team but the best case scenario will probably be bubble watch again. I would tend to bet on us taking a step back again.

Sounds like Frank Anselem will likely be transferring as well. I think Jim undershot his 4-6 players forecast. At this point it sounds like: Kadary Guerrier Dolezaj Braswell Jon Bol Ajak Anselem Woody Griffin Sidibe all could likely be gone.

Haven't heard anything from my sources about Kadary transferring since the initial fear that he's not a lock to return, but there's now a buzz among Kentucky fans that Kadary Richmond will be transferring there to be their new star PG.

He turns 22 in a month

Eh, if he waits another year he'll be 23 by the time of the draft. 2nd round is almost certainly the best he can hope for, and even that will require significant improvement IMO.

I don't think he'll be drafted but I suspect he'll be told he's a 2nd round pick. Not sure where it'll go from there; he might just be ready to get paid even if it isn't an NBA team.

Quincy Guerrier officially testing the NBA Draft waters as I expected.

Yes, his name rhymes with Shayheim.

That would be a best case scenario for sure

I sure hope so

Robert Braswell and John Bol Ajak officially entering the transfer portal. Boeheim says he expects 4-6 players to leave, not sure if that's including Dolezaj and Sidibe in the math or not.

His short arms and lack of leaping ability is gonna make finishing really difficult. Joe needs to develop a floater game IMO. I haven't watched Benny at all yet; I'll go through and watch some of his high school games in a few months probably.

Of course he can grow and develop. And once he does develop into a good player, I'd happily give him minutes. But I don't think there's much of a chance of him ever being a plus as a defender or creator. The athletic limitations are just nearly impossible for him to overcome unfortunately. Shooting? I could see him becoming a good shooter. But even if he does I'm not sure he's a positive contributor unless we change how we use him (i.e. Kadary handling the ball and Girard running around screens like you mentioned). But with Buddy occupying that spot, we're talking about a 15ish minute role for Girard.