Donnie and JJ back

[Niastri]

Starling being a secondary option is really the key. He can't be the guy opposing teams key on. He's fine as a secondary bucket getter and slasher. But we saw what happens when he's the guy and it's just not his skillset.

Most importantly, we also need someone else who can be the alpha/leader of the team. JJ isn't that type of guy.

I agree, if we can get a well rounded point guard, Starling gets a lot better.

Starling with the ball in his hands needs to be going to the basket, not trying to be a play maker. He isn’t terrible, getting almost 3 assists a game last year, but it isn’t his strength.

Having Starling guarded by the best defender in the other team will open up offense for the point guard, and vice versa when opposing coaches decide to go the other way.

Freeman returning is the real gem of the announcement. I think, if Freeman reaches his potential, he could be the difference between being a bubble team and a 4 seed.

He’s got the potential to be literally unguardable at the college level. Possibly our next 20-10 guy and go to guy when we really need a basket. In his first 14 games, PER and BPM already had him as our second best player last season, after “advanced stat” darling the Highlander.

Next season, Freeman will be our best player from opening tip, unless Red really surprises us in a good way in the transfer portal.

I’m really pleased we were able to get it done.

 

[Niastri]

i think donnies game fits more as a SF than PF, FWIW

he just has the PF size...so people put him there automatically

I hope red is not pre-deciding he will only play PF...or heaven forbid C next year

Freeman started the season at 215 last season. 12 months later, him being 230 doesn’t seem the least bit unreasonable.

I complained frequently about Syracuse not using its size advantage last year. A lot of our opponents were running out rosters where the biggest guy was listed at 230-240lb.

I think Freeman at 230 can actually be a tremendous mismatch if we do play him at center for small stretches.

Considering White isn’t known as a shooter, and Starling’s troubles from 3, one way to get White playing time is to slide Freeman to center when they play together. That way at least you have Freeman, transfer PG and transfer SF out there to shoot from three while White and Starling are going to the basket at will being guarded one on one.

 

[dasher]

Good to hear we are able to put some solid NIL money to work. I hope its enough to get this program back on its feet and back to where we should be. Dasher you know why we didn't have the NIL funding last year? I know its been said that we were not "ready", what does that mean? We're we doing due diligence on the NIL process, or, was it more of an issue with not being staffed to handle it? I ask because it seemed like the footbal side was a bit more prepared to hit the ground running, but with football starting before basketball it seemed a bit odd?

I don't think football under Dino was anymore prepared for NIL than hoop. Fran is a different story. He made things happen.

 

[sufan59]

The only point guard I think would be a better fit is if Naithan George hit the portal from Georgia Tech. But explain what concerns you on Cadeau?

I spoke this into existence lol. This would be an outstanding get!

https://x.com/jeffborzello/status/1904674351007268887

 

[Newhouser]

Freeman started the season at 215 last season. 12 months later, him being 230 doesn’t seem the least bit unreasonable.

I complained frequently about Syracuse not using its size advantage last year. A lot of our opponents were running out rosters where the biggest guy was listed at 230-240lb.

I think Freeman at 230 can actually be a tremendous mismatch if we do play him at center for small stretches.

Considering White isn’t known as a shooter, and Starling’s troubles from 3, one way to get White playing time is to slide Freeman to center when they play together. That way at least you have Freeman, transfer PG and transfer SF out there to shoot from three while White and Starling are going to the basket at will being guarded one on one.

I think we will see Donnie at 3. White at 4 with a big.

 

[cusefan88]

I spoke this into existence lol. This would be an outstanding get!

https://x.com/jeffborzello/status/1904674351007268887

100% want George. From Toronto I believe. Excellent PG.

 

[kcsu]

Donnie, JJ, Aussie, and the frosh are a great core group. We shed a ton of dead weight which is what was needed. We kept the two players i wanted us to keep. There isn't another kid on the roster that i felt we needed to stay. JJ has flaws but he is also a talent. Personally, I think that the Aussie and power forward we have coming in are going to be solid contributors. Now we need a 5 a point and a sniper at the 3

 

[OptimusOtto]

Awesome start, I know there are examples of full on rebuilds working but think having some continuity and it being our two most talented guys is a big first step. Cautiously optimistic, especially in reading that we have something resembling a war chest this year.

 

[rrlbees]

Keep an eye on William Kyle from UCLA.

Heard the same. 1 of several Cs we’re looking at.

 

[Irishsecra1]

Perfect response, and thank you for sharing.

Not related to NIL but like you said, my worry is also the reputation of Syracuse in 2025. We all know the history, but 18 year old kids last saw us as a powerhouse when they were 6-10 years old.

We have the Dome, which is unique and special. But beyond that, what do we offer compared to other schools? Even the ACC competition, kids can play at Clemson, Louisville, etc. and still get the "You get to play Duke and UNC!" pitch.

Gotta find what's special to the players today, but we all know how special Syracuse is.

We have Melo!
Many of these transfers watched Melo in the NBA.
Knowing that he will be around the program a lot, it should be a big positive in the portal.
Not as important as NIL, but important and unique to us.

 

[rrlbees]

Maybe people will actually believe what you and I have been saying for months now about this. This is the first step of many and there will be more excitement soon. But this should show that SU is serious in the nil world

My guess. Could be more. I’m being conservative.

~$6m nil
~$3m of the $20.5m
Melo wildcard.

$9m + Melo tbd

 

[NineOneSeven]

My guess. Could be more. I’m being conservative.

~$6m nil
~$3m of the $20.5m
Melo wildcard.

$9m + Melo tbd

 

[Jake]

My guess. Could be more. I’m being conservative.

~$6m nil
~$3m of the $20.5m
Melo wildcard.

$9m + Melo tbd

The key here is maintaining our NIL. If this is a one time “booster shot”, we’ll be back in the same boat.

 

[HyattsCuse]

My guess. Could be more. I’m being conservative.

~$6m nil
~$3m of the $20.5m
Melo wildcard.

$9m + Melo tbd

I hope a few good players take our money!

 

[Newhouser]

Heard the same. 1 of several Cs we’re looking at.

Have never seen him play but he reads like more of a 4 to me. Depth piece?

 

[grepal]

Boom. Soooo happy to eat crow about Donnie , everything I heard from the aau scene was that he was gone. Two legit scorers coming back. Please do well in the portal Red

This makes me thrilled. The two most important guys to keep IMO.

 

[OptimusOtto]

The key here is maintaining our NIL. If this is a one time “booster shot”, we’ll be back in the same boat.

Winning (hopefully) solves this

 

[Bulldog04]

My guess. Could be more. I’m being conservative.

~$6m nil
~$3m of the $20.5m
Melo wildcard.

$9m + Melo tbd

You’re pretty darn close from what I’ve been told

 

[Cuse_NYC]

Can we please hold on to any expectations for Womack? Let’s treat it as a bonus if he ever turns into anything

 

[SUalldway]

Freeman started the season at 215 last season. 12 months later, him being 230 doesn’t seem the least bit unreasonable.

I complained frequently about Syracuse not using its size advantage last year. A lot of our opponents were running out rosters where the biggest guy was listed at 230-240lb.

I think Freeman at 230 can actually be a tremendous mismatch if we do play him at center for small stretches.

Considering White isn’t known as a shooter, and Starling’s troubles from 3, one way to get White playing time is to slide Freeman to center when they play together. That way at least you have Freeman, transfer PG and transfer SF out there to shoot from three while White and Starling are going to the basket at will being guarded one on one.

Freeman isn't coming back to play center. Ante-up and get a tru center in the portal.

 

[Cuse4455]

Heard the same. 1 of several Cs we’re looking at.

Just watched his highlights, I think his game is too much like Sadiqs. Obviously he's 40lbs bigger than Sadiq but the screen and roll to a dunk is Sadiqs offensive game currently to a tee.

 

[sufan59]

Winning (hopefully) solves this

Yeah and the winning hopefully leads to great campaigning to build up the small to medium sized donor base.

 

[Millhouse]

He can't shoot. He is no threat. To me, the choice between Cadeau or Claude is no choice at all. I have watched UNC as much as most. I have never been impressed with him. Never.

it's crazy that 34% for the season looks like a big improvement to what we've had

 

[50YRsofCuse]

It’s not a matter of waiting to say it. It’s more so that the nonsense that was discussed on here was completely made up by posters on this board. At no point did Donnie ever say how he couldn’t wait to transfer, how he didn’t like Syracuse, how he hated playing for Red or anything of that nature. I said it game 10 that was coming back. Then he got injured. And everyone went scorched earth about he was gone and blah blah. It’s so frustrating to share information that I KNOW is true just to have posters say the complete opposite with zero factual knowledge. Misery loves company on this board and wish some info was taken differently when certain people bring it to the board.

The kid loves Syracuse, he loves Red and him coming back should help curb some stupid narratives around here. Go orange

I hope you are right about curbing stupid (negative) narratives. That would be so nice.

 

[Oakland]

My guess. Could be more. I’m being conservative.

~$6m nil
~$3m of the $20.5m
Melo wildcard.

$9m + Melo tbd

If this guess is accurate, then I'm surprised that Kyle (McCord - TY 59) didn't stay one more season. I assume he would have gotten at least as much as Donnie, he would be set for life, and the NFL would still be there the following year.

Also, 9m is ~30% higher than the median NBA salary. For that much money, maybe Donnie is here for 2 or 3 more years.