Basketball program needs a fresh set of eyes

[Alsacs]

To steal a phrase from President Obama yesterday. I love Jim Boeheim but its time. Boeheim is 72 and we need to make changes. He won't and its understandable. The program needs new energy.

Thank you to Jim but the program has been awful on offense for years and nothing changes.

 

[NKR1978]

A coaching staff that views JB as a god isn't good for innovation and change. I realize a lot of important alumni will freak out, but when we have 12,000 in the Dome in a couple years it might be too late.

The only good thing is that it's a lot easier to build a basketball program than football, and there's a lot more talent in a reasonable distance from Syracuse than football. But we're staring at a lot of long ugly winters if something isn't fixed and changed soon.

Either this year or next we need a national search to modernize and reinvigorate the program. I think we're big enough and have enough advantages that we can swing for the fences in terms of a search. I just don't want us to settle for mediocrity because of nostalgia.

 

[wallacecuse]

A coaching staff that views JB as a god isn't good for innovation and change. I realize a lot of important alumni will freak out, but when we have 12,000 in the Dome in a couple years it might be too late.

The only good thing is that it's a lot easier to build a basketball program than football, and there's a lot more talent in a reasonable distance from Syracuse than football. But we're staring at a lot of long ugly winters if something isn't fixed and changed soon.

Either this year or next we need a national search to modernize and reinvigorate the program. I thin we're big enough and have enough advantages that we can swing for the fences in terms of a search. I just don't want us to settle for mediocrity because of nostalgia.

Not saying he should, or shouldn't get the gig, but Hopkins needs to do it his way. We saw what happened when he tried to coach like JB. My one fear with Wildhack is that he won't ever look outside the SU network for coaching hires.

 

[NKR1978]

Not saying he should, or shouldn't get the gig, but Hopkins needs to do it his way. We saw what happened when he tried to coach like JB. My one fear with Wildhack is that he won't ever look outside the SU network for coaching hires.

I get the fear, but everything about Wildhack has been great so far. He's as much an SU fan as anyone here is. I can't imagine he wants to see this amazing program become Rutgers.

 

[TexanMark]

Not saying he should, or shouldn't get the gig, but Hopkins needs to do it his way. We saw what happened when he tried to coach like JB. My one fear with Wildhack is that he won't ever look outside the SU network for coaching hires.

Agreed...JB needs his swan song tour next season...give Hop three years. Early 2021 we will know if we are in good hands.

 

[NKR1978]

Agreed...JB needs his swan song tour next season...give Hop three years. Early 2021 we will know if we are in good hands.

Unfortunately thats what has to happen so as not to offend too many people. But what if Hop eeks out a couple 8 seeds and an NIT?

I hope he succeeds spectacularly or fails miserably, middling would be the worst.

 

[wallacecuse]

Agreed...JB needs his swan song tour next season...give Hop three years. Early 2021 we will know if we are in good hands.

It happens. Every coach retires. It's time. Last thing we need to become is FSU football with Bowden.

 

[Ish88888]

Agreed...JB needs his swan song tour next season...give Hop three years. Early 2021 we will know if we are in good hands.

Hop will be a younger clone, just as bad. What program keeps a coach in waiting for 15 years? And what coach stays? Bad news.

 

[longislandcuse]

Agreed...JB needs his swan song tour next season...give Hop three years. Early 2021 we will know if we are in good hands.

Is this serious or a joke? Not being a but this is asinine. What major program operates like that? Maybe we should give the reigns to Autry in 2021 and then GMac in 2024 if it doesn't work out. I mean, w t .

 

[two3zone]

Is this serious or a joke? Not being a . . . . but this is asinine. What major program operates like that? Maybe we should give the reigns to Autry in 2021 and then GMac in 2024 is it doesn't work out. I mean, w t .

Send Gmac on his way now. Not popular but between recruiting and coaching we haven't done well since he got a bigger chair.

 

[We Are Syracuse]

Is this serious or a joke? Not being a . . . . but this is asinine. What major program operates like that? Maybe we should give the reigns to Autry in 2021 and then GMac in 2024 is it doesn't work out. I mean, w t .

The whole Hopkins deserves the next HC gig because he has waited and we owe it to him is bizarro-world to me. He gets paid 750K a year. He has done plenty good here as an assistant but a national search should absolutely be what happens. If Hopkins turns out to be the best candidate to Wildhack, then hire him. But to not take other applicants is so silly.

 

[CaptainJ]

To steal a phrase from President Obama yesterday. I love Jim Boeheim but its time. Boeheim is 72 and we need to make changes. He won't and its understandable. The program needs new energy.

Thank you to Jim but the program has been awful on offense for years and nothing changes.

Yes, Obama is a great comparison to Boeheim. Boeheim won the National Champsionship, and then has gone in whatever direction folks claim. Obama did so much for peace, that he won the Nobel Peace Prize, as doing more than all the 7+ Billion people in the world! But after his heroism on behalf of peace, he became involved in more military actions(illegal wars) than any President in the history of the US. So much for a peace President. Same with the guy before him, who ran on less foreign intervention, as did the current President Elect. One of the few things all 3 have in common!

So is there less chance of Old Boeheim's style and success coming back to replace the current Boeheim than there is of less US tax funded violence worldwide? It's like the how many licks to the tootsie roll center of the Tootsie pop question. Actually, by february I think we'll have a much better idea of the 2 former. Until then, we may have to exhibit just a little patience, like Axl Rose sang about.

 

[Alsacs]

Agreed...JB needs his swan song tour next season...give Hop three years. Early 2021 we will know if we are in good hands.

You realize next year looks bad unless all of Battle/Lydon return and Howard/Thompson develop.

No way we should keep JB for a swan song. Let the next guy eat the rough year and that gives him an excuse of what he was left.

JB is the man who built the program but wow are we stuck in the ditch for an elite program. Our guard recruiting has been poor and doesn't look good for next year.

 

[cuseguy]

You realize next year looks bad unless all of Battle/Lydon return and Howard/Thompson develop.

No way we should keep JB for a swan song. Let the next guy eat the rough year and that gives him an excuse of what he was left.

JB is the man who built the program but wow are we stuck in the ditch for an elite program. Our guard recruiting has been poor and doesn't look good for next year.

Will JB want to return for another year if he senses it's not going to be good?

I'm sure he was excited about this year. He can't be expecting much next year. Wouldn't surprise me if he hangs it up after this year.

 

[longislandcuse]

We need JB to hang them up and find out who our next HC is quickly. We recruit for the zone and we pass up players for the zone so if the next coach isn't playing all zone, we need to know that ASAP.

 

[orange44]

You realize next year looks bad unless all of Battle/Lydon return and Howard/Thompson develop.

No way we should keep JB for a swan song. Let the next guy eat the rough year and that gives him an excuse of what he was left.

JB is the man who built the program but wow are we stuck in the ditch for an elite program. Our guard recruiting has been poor and doesn't look good for next year.

Agree.

 

[TexanMark]

The whole Hopkins deserves the next HC gig because he has waited and we owe it to him is bizarro-world to me. He gets paid 750K a year. He has done plenty good here as an assistant but a national search should absolutely be what happens. If Hopkins turns out to be the best candidate to Wildhack, then hire him. But to not take other applicants is so silly.

It is all in what contract was signed...Cuse may be obligated unless he triggers some language in the contract...(i.e. conduct)

 

[SoBeCuse]

Players pass US up I'm sure because of the zone although the zone has been pretty functional as of late. The offense is a debacle. No more excuses. Offense is offense. We can't do anything except ISO and that one double screen for Lydon in mid/late 2H for the 3. Normally those double staggered screens up top don't do a damn thing.

I would be shocked if Wildhack doesn't take a look at other potential coaching candidates besides Hop.

 

[SoBeCuse]

It is all in what contract was signed...Cuse may be obligated unless he triggers some language in the contract...(i.e. conduct)

You think there was a contract drawn up re: Hopkins/JB/Admins? I sure hope not.

 

[two3zone]

Players pass US up I'm sure because of the zone although the zone has been pretty functional as of late. The offense is a debacle. No more excuses. Offense is offense. We can't do anything except ISO and that one double screen for Lydon in mid/late 2H for the 3. Normally those double staggered screens up top don't do a damn thing.

I would be shocked if Wildhack doesn't take a look at other potential coaching candidates besides Hop.

You nailed it.

Imagine being a HS guy who one day wants to go to the NBA. If I coach ANY school, I simply tell the recruit that you'll never get prepared for the NBA by playing there. The ONLY defense they play is illegal at the next level and they have zero flow on offense.

That's how you get Syracuse out of a recruits head and quickly.

 

[SoBeCuse]

You nailed it.

Imagine being a HS guy who one day wants to go to the NBA. If I coach ANY school, I simply tell the recruit that you'll never get prepared for the NBA by playing there. The ONLY defense they play is illegal at the next level and they have zero flow on offense.

That's how you get Syracuse out of a recruits head and quickly.

Yup. It's Captain Obvious material but don't tell the homers that.

 

[two3zone]

Yup. It's Captain Obvious material but don't tell the homers that.

That's the easy stuff. There's too much in a recruiters pocket to go against us.

 

[Alsacs]

The D has had nothing to do with the fact we have had a player drafted in the first round of the NBA draft the last 4 years.

The zone has m2m principles. We aren't recruiting good enough elite prospects. We go a tier below and they are leaving early like the top 10 guys.

 

[rrlbees]

Send Gmac on his way now. Not popular but between recruiting and coaching we haven't done well since he got a bigger chair.

How long has he had a bigger role in recruiting? 1 year?

 

[SoBeCuse]

The D has had nothing to do with the fact we have had a player drafted in the first round of the NBA draft the last 4 years.

The zone has m2m principles. We aren't recruiting good enough elite prospects. We go a tier below and they are leaving early like the top 10 guys.

This is part of it for sure, IMO.