Class of 2022 C William Kyle (NE) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (3/27/25)

[Dmcnabbrules]

He’s starting and getting more than 10mpg, a lot more.

Your point is correct tho - on an elite team he’s a 10-15mpg backup

I think people are under selling Kyle a little bit. If he is healthy he can be an effective starter. He will be in the starting lineup with four shooters around him. Kyle will be limited to lobs and put backs in offense but who cares. He needs to protect the rim, rebound and dunk. Also his ability to guard the pick and roll should allow Autry to play a different defensive style

 

[McCuse]

I think people are under selling Kyle a little bit. If he is healthy he can be an effective starter. He will be in the starting lineup with four shooters around him. Kyle will be limited to lobs and put backs in offense but who cares. He needs to protect the rim, rebound and dunk. Also his ability to guard the pick and roll should allow Autry to play a different defensive style

He is a prolific dunker!

 

[kingtidge]

I think people are under selling Kyle a little bit. If he is healthy he can be an effective starter. He will be in the starting lineup with four shooters around him. Kyle will be limited to lobs and put backs in offense but who cares. He needs to protect the rim, rebound and dunk. Also his ability to guard the pick and roll should allow Autry to play a different defensive style

Let's see him prove it.

Not buying any hype on a 3-pts-per-game center until he shows better and proves he's a P4 starter... and yes, I know Cronin only played him sparingly.

 

[Niastri]

Let's see him prove it.

Not buying any hype on a 3-pts-per-game center until he shows better and proves he's a P4 starter... and yes, I know Cronin only played him sparingly.

Kyle’s Big Ten per40 numbers were 9.1 points, 3.0 blocks and 4.8 rebounds. He finishes very strong at the basket (.704 shooting percentage last season) and presents himself well to receive the pass. He wasn’t the focal point on offense at UCLA and won’t be here. When he gets the ball in position, he’s likely to convert a basket. That’s enough.

My bigger concern is rebounding than offense. He had a much lower rebounding at UCLA, but higher blocked shots at the higher level, so it might be a coaching decision rather than a skill issue. JB always has centers with high blocked shots and low rebound totals as well.

Kyle might wind up with 2 blocks a game next season if he continues to be aggressive challenging shots. One problem is that he averaged 5.9 fouls per 40 in Big Ten play with this aggressive play style, after averaging only 2.1 the previous year at South Dakota State.

He also recorded a 3.8 DBPM, so Kyle is a plus defender on addition to being a decent shotblocker.

I’m not really worried about Kyle, I’m worried about what happens when he’s not playing.

 

[IthacaMatt]

He’s starting and getting more than 10mpg, a lot more.

Your point is correct tho - on an elite team he’s a 10-15mpg backup

I think Jay was saying Kyle is the starter, but we still need one more back up in addition to Souare.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I think Jay was saying Kyle is the starter, but we still need one more back up in addition to Souare.

Pretty obvious after last night he’s the starter along with Donnie, Kingz, JJ and George.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Pretty obvious after last night he’s the starter along with Donnie, Kingz, JJ and George.

And that's a good lineup.

When other people come in, Kingz, JJ and George are all probably going to spend time on the bench.

The most important thing Red has to figure out this year, as you change groupings, you always need:

• 2 ball handlers out there on the floor
• 2 three-point shooters on the floor
• a rim protector and/or a defensive big body

So, if White or Freeman are going to play the 5 when we play small ball, they have to play physical defense. Tough, hard nosed, not let other guys simply grab the ball out of your hands 2 or 3 times a game.

Or else we still need that 3rd center.

 

[JaySU22]

He’s starting and getting more than 10mpg, a lot more.

Your point is correct tho - on an elite team he’s a 10-15mpg backup

My bad, I was referring to the comment about getting the Drexel type big that Providence got for depth for 10-15 minutes. Kyle is definitely getting 25-30 minutes and while he looks pretty good, it’s unlikely he’s worthy of a leading role on a contender.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[kcsu]

In my opinion this is what we need at the 5 i think he is a going to be very good for us. Syracuse is going to be athletic again. I like what we have done in the off season. Just need to fill in the bench and we should be set.

 

[IthacaMatt]

In my opinion this is what we need at the 5 i think he is a going to be very good for us. Syracuse is going to be athletic again. I like what we have done in the off season. Just need to fill in the bench and we should be set.

Yeah, but you aren't going to play a whole season with only 2 guys, especially at such an important position, so people can't just bully ball you if you can defend them inside.

The last 2 years, what did we have, at least 2 or 3 guys have injuries each year? Plus guys not successfully rehabbing from past injuries.

We need one more big man, just like we needed Petar Majstorovic late in the last cycle. He wasn't a star for us, but at least with him on the roster, when Eddie was hurt, or when Donnie went down for the year, we didn't have to play someone like Jyare Davis as your center for 20-30 minutes a game.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Yeah, but you aren't going to play a whole season with only 2 guys, especially at such an important position, so people can't just bully ball you if you can defend them inside.

The last 2 years, what did we have, at least 2 or 3 guys have injuries each year? Plus guys not successfully rehabbing from past injuries.

We need one more big man, just like we needed Petar Majstorovic late in the last cycle. He wasn't a star for us, but at least with him on the roster, when Eddie was hurt, or when Donnie went down for the year, we didn't have to play someone like Jyare Davis as your center for 20-30 minutes a game.

Yes.
Also, has it ever been discussed/disclosed—what was Donnie's foot injury? It concerns me, the talk about how he might play Center minutes. The whole "positionless basketball" thing is a nice notion, but practically speaking, it seems unwise to force a perimeter/finesse player to bang against heavies in the paint, especially when he's coming back from a season-ending foot injury. We've seen foot issues derail entire careers. I'm not speculating that Donnie's is that kind of case, but we don't know that it isn't.

Is this something he played through in high school? Is it the type of thing that is typically fully resolved or one that is likely to recur? Feet and backs—tend to be persistent issues.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yes.
Also, has it ever been discussed/disclosed—what was Donnie's foot injury? It concerns me, the talk about how he might play Center minutes. The whole "positionless basketball" thing is a nice notion, but practically speaking, it seems unwise to force a perimeter/finesse player to bang against heavies in the paint, especially when he's coming back from a season-ending foot injury. We've seen foot issues derail entire careers. I'm not speculating that Donnie's is that kind of case, but we don't know that it isn't.

Is this something he played through in high school? Is it the type of thing that is typically fully resolved or one that is likely to recur? Feet and backs—tend to be persistent issues.

Well, I certainly hope it's not a chronic injury. That buries our season if it is.

I hope that the thing Melo teaches Donnie when he talks to him, is all about having an effective game at the elbow. Melo was a master from 17 feet out at the elbow, or a little lower toward the baseline.

He had the physicality to get on the end line side of the defender on the baseline drive, and enough strength, flexibility, and talent to be unstoppable once he got that position.

From the elbow, he had the jab step, the two dribble pull-up and the drive and dunk. Teach Donnie those moves, and he will be a GREAT player.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think people are under selling Kyle a little bit. If he is healthy he can be an effective starter. He will be in the starting lineup with four shooters around him. Kyle will be limited to lobs and put backs in offense but who cares. He needs to protect the rim, rebound and dunk. Also his ability to guard the pick and roll should allow Autry to play a different defensive style

He looks like he could be really good for 20-25 minutes a game.
But at the end of a half, or the end of a game, you need to have a bull in the low block who you can throw the ball to, and they either draw a double, get a good shot, or go to the line. You have to have that to close out games.

 

[pearl31]

He looks like he could be really good for 20-25 minutes a game.
But at the end of a half, or the end of a game, you need to have a bull in the low block who you can throw the ball to, and they either draw a double, get a good shot, or go to the line. You have to have that to close out games.

Yep the only feasible way to play basketball in the year 2025

 

[Cusefan0307]

Donnie is 100% healthy per Red and Alex Kline.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Yes.
Also, has it ever been discussed/disclosed—what was Donnie's foot injury? It concerns me, the talk about how he might play Center minutes. The whole "positionless basketball" thing is a nice notion, but practically speaking, it seems unwise to force a perimeter/finesse player to bang against heavies in the paint, especially when he's coming back from a season-ending foot injury. We've seen foot issues derail entire careers. I'm not speculating that Donnie's is that kind of case, but we don't know that it isn't.

Is this something he played through in high school? Is it the type of thing that is typically fully resolved or one that is likely to recur? Feet and backs—tend to be persistent issues.

Twas the dreaded potato toes

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yep the only feasible way to play basketball in the year 2025

This USC kid could be that offensive big man.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yep the only feasible way to play basketball in the year 2025

7 of the 8 teams who made the Elite 8 had a low post big man, or two or three of them.

People say, "well, we're not ready for that level, we just want to be ok, first". You have to build a team that has the tools to beat all kinds of opponents.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Twas the dreaded potato toes

 

[RedtheGOB]

7 of the 8 teams who made the Elite 8 had a low post big man, or two or three of them.

People say, "well, we're not ready for that level, we just want to be ok, first". You have to build a team that has the tools to beat all kinds of opponents.

I can’t tell from your other 300 posts. Do you think we need another big man?

Seriously tho. If this big man with all these things you expect does exist then we prob can’t afford him.

And If we can afford him he prob wants starting mins guaranteed.

And If we can afford him and he doesn’t care about starting he prob isn’t going to be as talented as you want him to be.

See where I’m going with this. You may want a certain player from the portal but you’re looking for a unicorn that may not exist.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Could Rashaun Agee fill that need, if he were to decide to commit here? Perhaps even be the starter, pushing Kyle to first big off the bench(still getting 15-20m between PF&C). Souare would then be 3rd string big with more limited minutes, allowing him more time to develop without as many expectations/pressure or be insurance if injuries happen or others don't live up to their promise.

I think Agee is just about the right guy to fill in the missing gap. Agee is tough, plays defense "like a grown man", not a young kid. Sweet jumper from the top of the key, too, so you could use him in a 2 bigs lineup, just like Donnie. He would be a major upgrade on Jyare Davis because (a) he can hit that three, and (b) he's a bit taller and stronger looking on tape.

 

[cusefan88]

If you follow him on Instagram he posts a lot of his workouts. He has crazy bounce. Really athletic player. Looking forward to seeing him.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I can’t tell from your other 300 posts. Do you think we need another big man?

Seriously tho. If this big man with all these things you expect does exist then we prob can’t afford him.

And If we can afford him he prob wants starting mins guaranteed.

And If we can afford him and he doesn’t care about starting he prob isn’t going to be as talented as you want him to be.

See where I’m going with this. You may want a certain player from the portal but you’re looking for a unicorn that may not exist.

Providence just got one of the low major "unicorns".

Agee played 20 minutes a game last year at USC, and would probably see about the same number of minutes here in the front court rotation. I don't see this kid as costing anywhere near the $1.2M that center originally from Rochester was asking.

 

[KevMonstah]

he's a good get.

what I think SU needs is a couple of 6'9, 225-240lb guys, who are reasonably athletic, which i would define
as "more mobile and better jumpers than Eddie". big enough that they won't get moved out of the way
than the athletes SU has and can bang away in the legalized wrestling that's allowed.

then all you need is for the staff to figure out how to use them.

a previous thread i'd responded to, petar struggled at 6'8, 215, and su wanted to replace with a 6-9, 190lb
kid, no, you need a bigger dude, you have enough athletes, you need some bangers.

kev