Donnie Freeman transferring to St Johns

[RF2044]

Personally, I don't think it's just about "being pushed". Freeman didn't play a style of ball that emphasized his athletic strengths.

He drifted around the perimeter far too much. Any coach worth their salt would have him moving with purpose, taking advantage of mismatches, etc. Watch any NBA playoff game tonight and we'll find some guy playing the way Freeman should.

Needless to say, Red was incapable of both scheming that up and convincing Freeman to play in that manner.

Pitino will provide Freeman the blueprint. It'll be on him to follow it.

I don't disagree with any of your observatios about how Freeman played on offense.

But there was DEFINITELY a component of effort / intensity / defensive tenacity that was lacking, and that is 100% something that coaching can address. Pitino is going to demand that effort from Freeman, or Donnie will find his a$$ parked on the bench.

If anyone is capable of bringing that out of him, it is Pitino. And if he can't do it, then Donnie's NBA pipe dream will pop like a bubble.

 

[Nicknack]

I wouldn't bet against Rick Pitino. Even someone like Ian Jackson, night and day difference the toughness he displayed last season from his North Carolina year.

Yes, that was my point.

 

[RF2044]

It's interesting that Bruce Pearl still gets pilloried for his wrongdoing.
Yet no one says a word about Pitino.

As for Donnie Freeman...he's going to learn to play defense very quickly.
And that will make him a genuine NBA player.

Which wrongdoing specifically are you referring to? Because with Pearl, there are too many to keep track of.

Pearl was a wannabe snitch who tried to turn in another coach who was innocent, and then proceeded to cheat indiscriminately at multiple stops after he rebuilt his career.

He SHOULD get pilloried -- and that has nothing to do with whether Pitino deserves to be as well.

 

[kirbivore]

If any of you follow Donnie on social media you would probably get the feeling he would much rather live in NYC than Lexington.

He seems to enjoy culture, clothes, etc many things young people enjoy. Much more fun to do that in New York.

 

[littlereg]

I don't disagree with any of your observatios about how Freeman played on offense.

But there was DEFINITELY a component of effort / intensity / defensive tenacity that was lacking, and that is 100% something that coaching can address. Pitino is going to demand that effort from Freeman, or Donnie will find his a$$ parked on the bench.

If anyone is capable of bringing that out of him, it is Pitino. And if he can't do it, then Donnie's NBA pipe dream will pop like a bubble.

i think yall are actually agreeing. Scorch is saying it’s that said effort that will determine if he takes that step with Pitino or not because like you also said, He will learn to play that way or be Parked on the bench.

 

[MrHouse]

It's interesting that Bruce Pearl still gets pilloried for his wrongdoing.
Yet no one says a word about Pitino.

As for Donnie Freeman...he's going to learn to play defense very quickly.
And that will make him a genuine NBA player.

Did Pitino do anything THAT bad? As far as I’m aware, his team took recruits to strip clubs — which, while inappropriate, isn’t exactly on par with dudes that cheated.

Am I missing something bigger?

 

[Hopkins16]

I’m happy for Donnie and hope he’ll past the test. He didn’t shy away from playing for the toughest and best college coach. Either he will be a lottery pick or he just made the most money he’ll ever make in a year playing basketball.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Pitino was "the one that got away" for SU, JMHO. He is top 5 GOAT Cbb HC's...also MHO.
If we'd hired Pitino after JB, our program does not regress, and yet some scoffed at the very idea that a scalawag like Slick Rick could take over a Syracuse program. Assuming he may have been available, our arrogance cost us a chance to maintain the standards we'd all become accustomed to...and even greater. (End rant)
That being said, this was a great choice by DF. Pitino WILL bring out the very best in his game, which should greatly improve his NBA chances. Godspeed to the young man

 

[PauliePeppas]

Pitino was "the one that got away" for SU, JMHO. He is top 5 GOAT Cbb HC's...also MHO.
If we'd hired Pitino after JB, our program does not regress, and yet some scoffed at the very idea that a scalawag like Slick Rick could take over a Syracuse program. Assuming he may have been available, our arrogance cost us a chance to maintain the standards we'd all become accustomed to...and even greater. (End rant)
That being said, this was a great choice by DF. Pitino WILL bring out the very best in his game, which should greatly improve his NBA chances. Godspeed to the young man

I wish, but he was never ever coming here. Hes not living in Syracuse as his swan song

 

[STEVEHOLT]

the william kyle glazing on this site is something i will never be able to understand

• The Orange struggled against physical conference opponents. In a key loss to North Carolina, they surrendered 42 points in the paint, a number that mirrored their defensive struggles against elite interior scoring throughout the season.
• The team's defensive rating finished at 107.4, ranking outside the top 200 nationally.
• The men's team finished 14th in the ACC, largely due to a -3.7 rebounding margin and high points allowed in the paint.
• Based on game reports and box scores, here are the worst 5 games in the paintfor the Orange:
  1. vs. Duke (Feb 16, 2026): In a devastating 101–64 loss, Syracuse surrendered 52 points in the paint. The Blue Devils dominated the interior with nine dunks and a +22 margin in paint scoring (52–30).
  2. vs. North Carolina (Feb 21, 2026): During a late-season 77–64 loss, the Orange allowed 42 points in the paint. The Tar Heels' 7-foot center Henri Veesaar returned to lead the interior attack, outscoring Syracuse 42–32 in that area.
  3. at Wake Forest (Feb 28, 2026): In a game where the defense was described as "flailing," the Demon Deacons doubled up the Orange in the paint (20–10) in just the first half alone.
  4. vs. Pittsburgh (Mar 7, 2026): In the regular-season finale, Syracuse lost 71–69 in overtime. The game-winning points came directly in the paint via a goaltending call on a layup attempt that Syracuse's rim protection was too late to contest.
  5. at North Carolina (Feb 2, 2026): In their first meeting with UNC, Syracuse allowed 38 points in the paint while struggling to contain the Tar Heels' low-post touches.

yeah kyle had some cool dunks and blocks...but it simply wasnt good enough from him overall.

wouldnt want him as my starting center on my ncaabb team (if i had championship aspirations - and I do)

im glad gmac seems aware that height is a non-negotiable in basketball

He’s such a square peg. Playing him comes with so many compromises.

 

[DoctorBombay]

S

 

[Blanko97]

Pitino was "the one that got away" for SU, JMHO. He is top 5 GOAT Cbb HC's...also MHO.
If we'd hired Pitino after JB, our program does not regress, and yet some scoffed at the very idea that a scalawag like Slick Rick could take over a Syracuse program. Assuming he may have been available, our arrogance cost us a chance to maintain the standards we'd all become accustomed to...and even greater. (End rant)
That being said, this was a great choice by DF. Pitino WILL bring out the very best in his game, which should greatly improve his NBA chances. Godspeed to the young man

yeah but he let his players do icky things and we are so much better than that. Who needs success when you can claim that your coaches are swell folks!

 

[DoctorBombay]

I wish, but he was never ever coming here. Hes not living in Syracuse as his swan song

Fair enough. But my bigger issue was the contempt that was elicited by some in our fanbase, at even the suggestion that we approach Pitino...like we were too good for the likes of him, what w/ his Italian restaurant antics and whatnot.
I also think that perhaps, and maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part, that perhaps his ties to the JB tree, and 35k fans for Duke/UNC on a regular basis, might've been an incentive for Pitino to consider an offer. He knows the history of SU bball, and knows what it's like when we're rolling.
In any case, all conjecture on my part. JMHO

 

[PauliePeppas]

Fair enough. But my bigger issue was the contempt that was elicited by some in our fanbase, at even the suggestion that we approach Pitino...like we were too good for the likes of him, what w/ his Italian restaurant antics and whatnot.
I also think that perhaps, and maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part, that perhaps his ties to the JB tree, and 35k fans for Duke/UNC on a regular basis, might've been an incentive for Pitino to consider an offer. He knows the history of SU bball, and knows what it's like when we're rolling.
In any case, all conjecture on my part. JMHO

Agree with your point. Make him say no….dont leave anything to chance

 

[Cusefan78]

Good luck to Donnie. I understand he turned down a substantial amount of money to stay at SU and appreciate that. I wish him success with the Johnnies.

was it even close to 3 million?

 

[Cheriehoop]

was it even close to 3 million?

Does it matter?

 

[tptcuse]

If any of you follow Donnie on social media you would probably get the feeling he would much rather live in NYC than Lexington.

He seems to enjoy culture, clothes, etc many things young people enjoy. Much more fun to do that in New York.

Wild that St. John's players can afford to live very comfortably in Manhattan and could take car services to all their practices/classes at St. John's if they chose to do so. (If they're not required to live in dorms/apartments with their teammates, of course.)

 

[DoctahLexus]

Don’t know how true or not but wow if it is.
View attachment 262513

Rob Reinhart is yet another example of twitter fake news. It is a serious epidemic over there.

 

[Dadarules]

I like Donnie a lot. He was so nice to my son & I after the SU / Pitt game at Pitt. I liked his motor this year and just overall like the guy on and off the court. His NIL is a tad more than my son (Mr. Boots) made at SJU as their closer on their baseball team last year. If the $3 million is correct that is only $3 Million more than Jed got so they were in the same ballpark.. Jed did get a new glove, some warmups, sneaks, and ton of baseballs though . . . let's just call it about even.

 

[Bayside44]

Agree with your point. Make him say no….dont leave anything to chance

He's Rick Pitino, no one is going to make him do anything.

The guy is living his best life now.

 

[PauliePeppas]

He's Rick Pitino, no one is going to make him do anything.

The guy is living his best life now.

Oh I know.