Donnie and JJ back

[Red2003]

Although JJ has flaws that drives us crazy, I am very happy that he’ll be back. He and especially Freeman retuning is so huge for the program. JJ’s experience is valuable and he will be a positive influence and leader for the freshmen coming in. Now that we know who’ll be returning, it is up to Red and the GM to fill out the roster with complimentary players. I am hopeful that we will do a better job with the portal this year.

JJ is 100% the type of guy that needs to just let the game come to him. We suffered when the other 4 guys on the court just gave him the ball and said do something 5 possessions in a row. He also needs to spend more time on the bench in my opinion when the shot isn't there or he's getting exposed on Defense.

There was really one play that really killed me even if it never really mattered in the context of the season. Down in Blacksburg, He launched that terrible 3 then got the bail out foul, I think it was a tie game. He missed all 3 foul shots. My confidence in him really went out the window.

I'm glad he's back but mostly because we know we got them both and early on. I worry about putting too much team leadership on JJ's shoulders, I'm not sure that's his game and it doesn't need to be. He just needs to be consistent.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

He needs to get stronger. Love to see him become a bit of a bruiser similar to that kid from Clemson Schieffelin

​

Strength and speed training and working on defensive positioning so it isn't as easy for the refs to give him a whistle would do wonders for his game. His skill level is already decent for a big.

 

[Niastri]

The NCAA agreed to let NIL be pay for play in the TN case recently, too. So it's not even contingent on the house settlement.

Final settlement approved between NCAA and TN over NIL recruiting rules

The AG said student-athletes will now be able to negotiate NIL compensation before committing to a specific school as part of the settlement.

www.wbir.com

Thanks. It will be nice to:

1) Have nil commitments actually be signed contracts, so we can have continuity of rosters once commitments are made.

And more importantly,

2) We’ll stop getting beaten out for players based on imaginary NIL offers that never materialize. If we’re legit offering $400k and another school is offering $1 million, it’s no doubt where a player has to go… Unless of course, that other school is only actually paying $400k because the rest is smoke and mirrors.

Apparently many players have fallen victim to that kind of predatory offer.

 

[rrlbees]

What is up with my boy Lil Petar? Is he back officially?

He’s made no official announcement but I believe he’ll be back. I think he’s dating a women’s basketball player.

 

[Niastri]

He’s made no official announcement but o believe he’ll be back. I think he’s dating a women’s basketball player.

Make tall kids, Petar, Red will need recruits in 20 years, too!

 

[bnoro]

JJ playing 35+ mins every night actually isn’t horrible. idk about yall but he actually is a really good scorer and i think we all agree on that he shouldn’t be our #1 guy. he is still one of the leading ACC scorers and is one of the best ACC players. yes we should compliment him with others and especially a sharp shooting PG

He's a volume shooter with a hitch in his shot that can't finish layups. Really good scorer is a stretch.

He's a leading ACC scorer because we have no one else that can score.

 

[Cusefan95]

Thanks. It will be nice to:

1) Have nil commitments actually be signed contracts, so we can have continuity of rosters once commitments are made.

And more importantly,

2) We’ll stop getting beaten out for players based on imaginary NIL offers that never materialize. If we’re legit offering $400k and another school is offering $1 million, it’s no doubt where a player has to go… Unless of course, that other school is only actually paying $400k because the rest is smoke and mirrors.

Apparently many players have fallen victim to that kind of predatory offer.

The problem was that you weren't supposed to negotiate NIL prior to signing with a school - so the initial discussions were all verbal and easy to break. I'm pretty sure this is what happened to Sluka. He signed with UNLV based on promises they made, but then the UNLV coach realized he had at least a peer level QB to Sluka, backed out on NIL commitments that were never signed and didn't care when he quit.

This needs to get to a point where any money is negotiated up front and is part of the signing process for players. I agree with you that its happening more often than just Sluka - just that most players have just accepted getting ripped off is part of the deal. (It somewhat impressive that we've managed to create a system which is even more immoral than just using players for free labor...but we pulled it off!)

 

[sufan59]

Donna Ditota confirms Petar will be back!
Edit: confirms Petar is undecided.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

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

Georgia was a national leader in under the table NIL

 

[Red2003]

Georgia was a national leader in under the table NIL

But they make up for it in other ways . it's all about the education there.

The University of Georgia's football team has a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 41%, which is the lowest in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision).

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Low Graduation Rate:
  Georgia's 41% GSR means that less than half of the football players who enter the program graduate within six years.
  
  
• Lagging Behind Other SEC Schools:
  The Bulldogs' GSR lags far behind other SEC schools, with LSU being the next closest at 69%.

 

[tptcuse]

They were still scrambling with money when Eddie bumped the price. They literally had to go raise the money within like 48 hours to get him to be at cuse at that time. They also thought they were getting another player at the time too. It was not organized. This year is 100000% different than last year hence why I still stand behind Alex and Red and the guys for next season because of the preparation for this offseason compared to last

Any word on how they are approaching improving on the defensive end?

 

[syrBossHogg]

Donna Ditota confirms Petar will be back!

 

[PauliePeppas]

Hmm

 

[Jake]

Donna Ditota confirms Petar will be back!

Maybe not…

 

[sufan59]

 

[Sbucketball]

March 26, 2025 -- Petar learns there's a portal and he's free to play wherever he wants.

 

[PauliePeppas]

Maybe he just wants to say it himself?

 

[Hopkins16]

JJ and Freeman don't play defense so this doesnt help much.

We need someone who can coach defense and some players who can play defense. Its the only way.

Being young players still learning the game, let’s hope that our coaches can help them make strides in that area over the next several months.

 

[dasher]

Maybe not…

I happen to know this story. The Syracuse athletic dept can't do much right. Premature anything isn't good.

 

[dasher]

Maybe he just wants to say it himself?

No. It isn't that.

 

[Fly Rodder]

No. It isn't that.

I assume that this will be public today at some point? Or will there be suspense?

 

[Jasoncuse]

I happen to know this story. The Syracuse athletic dept can't do much right. Premature anything isn't good.

How are they so consistently bad at...everything?

 

[dasher]

I assume that this will be public today at some point? Or will there be suspense?

Good question. I guess the paper will have to explain but they need to be careful not to throw the University under the bus. By the way, this doesn't mean that he isn't coming back. Only that he hasn't decided yet

 

[Hopkins16]

I read yesterday that OKC had Donnie as a choice in the second round.

To stash away on their G League team. Freeman made the right choice returning.

 

[dasher]

How are they so consistently bad at...everything?

I don't know. You have to give them credit for it. It's every bit as hard to be always right, isn't it?