Class of 2023 C Owen Freeman (IL) Portal from Creighton

[granthath9]

Iowa had a losing recorded and a horrible defense (ranked 147th) in 2024-2025 but scored a lot of points as they ran up and down the court. Creighton had a horrible defense especially inside defense in 2025- 2026 (ranked over 100) and also had a losing record. They had absolutely zero rim protection, quickness or ability to stop any center or drive to the lane. Take the above for what it’s worth and again I really hope we get a rim protector and someone who can stop on ball driving.

Rim running big isn’t necessarily a bad thing but if the defense is that big of a concern Gerry might pass.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Iowa had a losing recorded and a horrible defense (ranked 147th) in 2024-2025 but scored a lot of points as they ran up and down the court. Creighton had a horrible defense especially inside defense in 2025- 2026 (ranked over 100) and also had a losing record. They had absolutely zero rim protection, quickness or ability to stop any center or drive to the lane. Take the above for what its worth and again I really hope we get a rim protector and someone who can stop on ball driving.

I hear you, but the defensive metrics of the players on those teams outside of Freeman were not close to good. A lot of the blame for that goes on the perimeter players. Here we have brought in length and athleticism.

 

[Orangezoo]

Iowa had a losing recorded and a horrible defense (ranked 147th) in 2024-2025 but scored a lot of points as they ran up and down the court. Creighton had a horrible defense especially inside defense in 2025- 2026 (ranked over 100) and also had a losing record. They had absolutely zero rim protection, quickness or ability to stop any center or drive to the lane. Take the above for what its worth and again I really hope we get a rim protector and someone who can stop on ball driving.

It’s a tricky thing- if your guards can’t stay in front and protect the driving lanes that has a domino effect. What I’m assuming is that you are saying he’s a liability covering on ball screens when he needs to switch off/ hedge etc. Even when you are cleared as healthy like he eventually was, it’s extremely difficult to trust the injury for a while. It’s common to over protect the leg that was injured and put yourself out of position as a result.

In general it’s hard to score and gauge defense if the perimeter defense is awful which it appears it was at both stops and honestly was an issue for Fran with his best teams there too…

 

[Orangezoo]

So not sure because it’s Twitter but seems Auburn is the SEC team sniffing around here.

 

[granthath9]

So not sure because it’s Twitter but seems Auburn is the SEC team sniffing around here.

True. They've been linked a few times already. I believe he's visiting sometime this week if he doesn't commit to Cuse.

 

[sufan59]

So not sure because it’s Twitter but seems Auburn is the SEC team sniffing around here.

Yep and I think he is visiting Auburn next, so Syracuse has to close the deal if they want him before that happens because everyone knows how that usually works. Last visit gets the commit many more times than not.

 

[Orangezoo]

True. They've been linked a few times already. I believe he's visiting sometime this week if he doesn't commit to Cuse.

Have to think if he doesn’t we aren’t sold enough on the issues being cleared ip

 

[Caleb8800]

Have to think if he doesn’t we aren’t sold enough on the issues being cleared ip

Maybe he doesn't like Syracuse or the staff or whatever it is. It isn't always our choice wether a player comes here, it's a two way street.

He's already off campus and followed a bunch of the Auburn coaching staff. We are definitely not the favorite to get him at this point

 

[sufan59]

Have to think if he doesn’t we aren’t sold enough on the issues being cleared ip

Partially, but you have two destinations. Say Auburn doesn't care and Syracuse is making a fuss about it. I mean what you do and favor. Hopefully they get the clarity they have needed and are either closing the deal with him or moving on to the next option already.

 

[Orangezoo]

Partially, but you have two destinations. Say Auburn doesn't care and Syracuse is making a fuss about it. I mean what you do and favor. Hopefully they get the clarity they have needed and are either closing the deal with him or moving on to the next option already.

Agreed.

 

[Jasoncuse]

Donnie Freeman has potential to be a much better defender, in fact a much better everything, but right now it's Owen Freeman in the defense category. But seriously we're comparing two very different players.

I don't think Donnie would ever be a good defender anywhere. He can't guard smaller, quicker players due to his average lateral agility, even though he has the length. And he certainly doesn't have the strength to battle inside defensively against bulkier or stronger players.

He's a skinny, rangy player without top end athleticism. He could be better with a full effort defensively, but it's really hard to see how he'd ever be a good defender.

 

[granthath9]

Have to think if he doesn’t we aren’t sold enough on the issues being cleared ip

Agreed. We'll hear in the two or three days if he's coming here I assume.

 

[GoCuse14]

Omaha is a sneaky cool city.

Pretty fun brewery scene

 

[orangepassion]

Iowa had a losing record...They had absolutely zero rim protection, quickness or ability to stop any center or drive to the lane. Take the above for what its worth and again I really hope we get a rim protector and someone who can stop on ball driving.

Did someone say rim protection?

Class of 2026 Post in thread 'C Abdramane Siby (Mali) COMMITTED TO SYRACUSE (4/15/26)'

Wednesday at 1:00 PM

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/abdramane-siby/

• OrangeXtreme

• 

 

[Caleb8800]

Did someone say rim protection?

Class of 2026 Post in thread 'C Abdramane Siby (Mali) COMMITTED TO SYRACUSE (4/15/26)'

Wednesday at 1:00 PM

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/abdramane-siby/

• OrangeXtreme

• 

19 year old from Africa, I don't think this kid is figuring too much into this years plans

 

[Orangezoo]

19 year old from Africa, I don't think this kid is figuring too much into this years plans

Absolutely no way to tell until he gets on campus. I’d say there’s more than a small chance he can contribute right away. To what extent I don’t know.

 

[Caleb8800]

Absolutely no way to tell until he gets on campus. I’d say there’s more than a small chance he can contribute right away. To what extent I don’t know.

Yeah you're right won't know till they see him

 

[Sherman20]

Iowa had a losing recorded and a horrible defense (ranked 147th) in 2024-2025 but scored a lot of points as they ran up and down the court. Creighton had a horrible defense especially inside defense in 2025- 2026 (ranked over 100) and also had a losing record. They had absolutely zero rim protection, quickness or ability to stop any center or drive to the lane. Take the above for what its worth and again I really hope we get a rim protector and someone who can stop on ball driving.

This is a really good point. We definitely need a rim protector.

 

[granthath9]

This is a really good point. We definitely need a rim protector.

I think we just got one lol

 

[Lester J]

19 year old from Africa, I don't think this kid is figuring too much into this years plans

If draft express & Givony are high on him, that’s a good sign he’s ready contribute…at minimum on defense, where he says he’s “highly impactful” with significant long-term upside.

 

[Starman]

Plus the obvious, that it's hard to hide a 7 footer. He kind of sticks out. And another bonus, we get to keep the Freeman name for another season.

Give him the same number and we Cuse can keep selling last year's jerseys

 

[RF2044]

Give him the same number and we Cuse can keep selling last year's jerseys

Wouldn't work.

SUAD would somehow spell his name wrong.

 

[SDjohn]

Omaha is a sneaky cool city.

Agreed. Been there a bunch of times visiting buddies at Offutt AFB. I’ve had a lot of fun in Omaha.

 

[granthath9]

Planning on going to Omaha for the College World Series this year. Only heard good things about the event and city so Im excited

 

[SDjohn]

Planning on going to Omaha for the College World Series this year. Only heard good things about the event and city so Im excited

My family and I went to the CWS…great atmosphere. You’ll have a great time.