sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Butterfly and Hummingbird Day!
National Butterfly and Hummingbird Day celebrates these small, flying beings, and is for appreciating them, learning about them, spreading awareness about them, and viewing them in person.
There are about 20,000 species of butterflies—some sources say there are 17,500, while some say there are as many 24,000. There are about 750 species found in the United States, where the white cabbage butterfly is the most prevalent. The life cycle of a butterfly begins when eggs are laid on leaves, which hatch into larvae known as caterpillars. They eat the leaves and flowers of the plant they are on, and grow in size while shedding their skin multiple times. They then turn into a pupa, or chrysalis, and then into a butterfly.
SU News
Commentary: Syracuse Basketball will be just fine, even with missing out on recruit (cnycentral.com; Tamurian)
On Wednesday, four-star recruit Andre Jackson committed to Connecticut over Syracuse and a few other schools. The 6'6" small forward was long rumored to be leaning towards the Orange before a late visit to UConn apparently changed the outcome. Regardless of your alliances, it's a great moment in that young man's life he'll never forget. He will be a very good player for the Huskies and potentially at the professional level too.
Syracuse obviously wanted Jackson as he's a very skilled player and his commitment would've been a great addition.
But I have to tell you-
The sky isn't falling in Syracuse.
I promise.
This isn't the first big name recruit Syracuse has lost out on and it won't be the last. At the same time, they will continue to win recruiting battles this year and well into the future. It's just the way this all works.
Stephon Marbury, Donyell Marshall, Julius Hodge and Quade Green are just a few incredibly highly touted players that didn't come to 'Cuse after being being heavily recruited.
As you can tell after all these years, Syracuse was just fine.
...
High school basketball recruit Andre Jackson commits to UConn over Syracuse, others (courant.com; Amore)
Andre Jackson was still undecided, planning a second round of visits to the schools on his short list when he got to UConn on Sept. 20.
After a weekend of watching coach Dan Hurley-run workouts and hanging out with current Huskies players, everything changed.
“Going into the visit, I wasn’t that confident that I was going to be going to UConn,” Jackson said Wednesday at his high school, Albany Academy in Albany, N.Y. “And then after the visit, it was clear. So I was like, ‘If it goes from zero to 100, then it’s definitely the right choice, I’m not going to overthink it.’”
Jackson, a 6-foot-6 guard generally considered a four-star, top-75 prospect in the Class of 2020, let Hurley know before he left that he was going to be a Husky. On Wednesday, Jackson let the world know, standing in front of his classmates in the school chapel, thanking the many coaches, friends and family members who have helped along the way, then taking off his warmup jacket to reveal a UConn T-shirt.
Dan Hurley returns to coaching UConn men following spinal surgery: ‘One of the toughest summers I’ve had in a long time.’
“Right after the visit, he said to us in the car service, ‘I’m going to UConn,’” said Tricia Altieri, Jackson’s mother, “’One hundred percent, I’m gong to UConn.’ He was very impressed with coach Hurley’s practice, how he ran practice, his whole presentation, how he would fit in the program. Andre was able to visualize everything he was saying.”
Most analysts projected Jackson going to Syracuse just a few weeks ago. After his visit to UConn, Jackson canceled a trip to Iowa, which was also in contention, along with UCLA and Maryland, and the deal was done. He returned to UConn last weekend to finalize things.
...
Who will start for the Orange? — 2019 Syracuse Basketball preview - The Juice Online (the juice; Cheng)
As we countdown to tipoff in November, we’re going to be tackling the biggest burning questions on the 2019-20 Syracuse basketball team. Today’s burning question: Who will start this year?
This question has become even more relevant this year with Syracuse losing four of its five starters in the offseason. Guards Frank Howard and Tyus Battle, forward Oshae Brissett and center Paschal Chukwu have all moved on from the Orange, and the only returning starter is guard/forward Elijah Hughes.
STARTING POINT GUARD: JALEN CAREY
With Howard out of the picture, the starting point guard role figures to fall to sophomore Jalen Carey. In his freshman year, Carey flashed his potential, going off for 26 points and seven rebounds in a loss to Connecticut at Madison Square Garden.
But Carey largely found himself out of the rotation by season’s end, because of his ball security issues (0.6 AST/TO ratio) and his shooting (17.4 3PT). Carey started during Syracuse’s exhibition tour through Italy, and was able to get inside at-will (albeit against lesser competition), and showed an improved shooting touch.
STARTING SHOOTING GUARD: BUDDY BOEHEIM
When Howard missed the first four games of the season with an ankle injury, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim promoted his son Buddy to the starting lineup. Though the younger Boeheim struggled in the early portion of the season, Boeheim became one of the best shooters in the ACC, finishing the season averaging 6.8 ppg on 35.3 shooting from downtown.
That carried over into the Italy exhibition, where he averaged 12.0 points per game on the trip. He was particularly sharp in a game against Oxygen Bassano, hitting four consecutive 3-pointers en route to 22 points in a 103-54 victory.
STARTING SMALL FORWARD: ELIJAH HUGHES
Well, this is the easiest call to make considering Hughes is the only returning starter from last year’s team. Hughes also figures to be the team’s leading scorer, since he averaged 13.7 ppg last year, second only to the departed Battle.
One thing to watch for Hughes this season is not just his scoring, but how he scores. Last year, Hughes established himself as an above-average 3-point shooter (36.9 3PT), but also sloppy on his drives (1.9 TPG). In the Italy tour, Hughes made a more concerted effort to score inside, and averaged a team-high 14.5 ppg.
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ACC expert picks, 2019-20 preview: Duke will have its hands full trying to hold off Louisville, UNC and Virginia (cbssports.com; Norlander)
The ACC is regarded as the deepest and best men's basketball league in the country. Its coaching cradle is considered the crème de la crème of the sport, it annually puts more players into the NBA Draft than any other conference (and shows no signs of slowing down) and it's had five teams make the Final Four in the past five seasons, which is the best in college hoops.
But there is one thing evading the ACC that I find surprising: a No. 1 rating. That is, No. 1 conference rating, per KenPom. The league hasn't finished atop the sport per that metric since 2006-07. In fact, on average over the previous 12 seasons, the ACC has rated as the third-best league. The reason being volume more than anything else, of course. When you have 15 teams as opposed to 10 or 12, you're going to have a few schools dragging you down.
But I think this is the year that changes. While the top of the conference isn't as l-o-a-d-e-d as it's been heading into any given season over the previous half-decade, it's looking to me like the bottom half of the league will be more well-rounded and thus should boost the ACC overall. For the first time since 2009-10, I expect every team save one to finish in the top 100 at KenPom.
Let's take the tour and lead with the headliners.
Louisville's Jordan Nwora is the CBS Sports ACC Preseason Player of the Year
Preseason Player of Year: Jordan Nwora, Louisville
Here's the irony: For as good as I expect the ACC to be this season, it's been a long time since its best player in the preseason was this much of a toss-up. Jordan Nwora's a 6-foot-7 wing and was one of the best talents to bypass the NBA Draft and return to school. He averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists and had a solid 53.3 effective field-goal percentage last season. He'll lead the way for a Louisville team that's going to be intriguing to watch, given the expectations on the group. For us, Nwora beat out UNC freshman Cole Anthony and Duke sophomore Tre Jones. In order to win player of the year at the end of the season, he'll need to improve upon his averages and efficiency from a season ago. We think he'll do that.
Preseason Coach of the Year: Chris Mack, Louisville
Louisville's Chris Mack is only in Year No. 2 with U of L. He's handled the transition quite well. Given the tumult surrounding the program when he took the job and the TBD status of NCAA sanctions still expected to come (how severe is truly anyone's guess; Louisville has the most fascinating situation of any school connected to the FBI probe), I can't commend Mack and his staff enough for how they've found footing and thrived. We expect Louisville to battle Duke for the top spot in the ACC, and given all that this program and these players have played through, their coach gets the preseason nod. Mack should hit 250 career wins this season, and if Louisville makes the NCAAs as expected, it will mark 10 times in 11 seasons he's reached the Big Dance.
Preseason Freshman of the Year: Cole Anthony, UNC
It's been a long time -- almost a decade, dating back to Harrison Barnes -- since North Carolina had the projected best freshman in the ACC. Anthony could be a dynamo. He's strong, quick, ball-dominant and takes crap from no one. A scoring point guard with a deep bag of tools, Anthony has a chance to be the Trae Young of 2019-20. UNC lost a lost of production from last season's No. 1-seeded team that was upset in the Sweet 16 by Auburn. And now, after seeing what Coby White did, get ready for all that flash and volume to go up a notch. Anthony not only has the keys, he will own the car that is UNC's offense. Projection: 24.7 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.2 rpg.
ACC predicted order of finish
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Miami Basketball: Chris Lykes and DJ Vasiljevic obvious choice for ACC Operation Basketball (caneswarning.com; Rubenstein)
The Miami basketball program’s decision to send guards, senior Dejan Vasiljevic and junior Chris Lykes to ACC Operation Basketball in Charlotte on October 8 was the obvious choice.
The Miami basketball program is coming off of a 14-18 season. It was their first losing record in seven seasons under head coach Jim Larranaga. Guards, Senior Dejan Vasiljevic and junior Chris Lykes are the only double-digit scorers returning from last season. They will be the representatives for Miami at ACC Operation Basketball.
The 2019 ACC Operation Basketball event is Oct. 8 at the Charlotte Marriott City Center in Charlotte. Lykes, Vasiljevic and Jim Larranaga will represent Miami this season. It will be the first appearance at ACC Operation Basketball for both Lykes and Vasiljevic. CBS Sports picks Miami ninth in the 15 team ACC.
Lykes and Vasiljevic are the only primary starters back. Redshirt junior forward Sam Waardenburg started 11 games last season and averaged 5.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG. Waardenburg is likely to start with Vasiljevic, Lykes and redshirt juniors, guard Kameron McGusty, and center Rodney Miller.
Lykes led the Miami basketball team last season with 16.7 points and 3.2 assists per game. Vasiljevic is the second leading returning scorer at 11.8 PPG and led the Hurricanes in 2018-19 in three-point field goals made and attempted and in three-point percentage for Miami for players with 10 or more attempts.
CBS Sports projects Miami to finish ninth in the ACC during the 2019-20 season. Miami can exceed those expectations if the newcomers mesh. The lack of a true 2018-19 recruiting class is still hindering the Miami basketball roster. CBS considers the Hurricanes a year away because of that.
...
Other
City board to spend $300 million on Syracuse school renovations (DO; Geilman)
Several schools in the Syracuse City School District have been renovated as part of a state- funded project managed by the city.
A total of $300 million will be invested in city schools, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said at a media roundtable in September. About half of that sum has already been invested, he said. The district is renovating a total of 15 schools.
“We’re taking care of some punch list items on a handful of our schools and we have some work to do,” Walsh said.
“Big picture, I think that sends a strong message on the value that we put on educating our young people.”
The Joint Schools Construction Board, run by SCSD and the city, is managing he investments. The current renovations are part of the board’s Comprehensive Plan, which is in its second phase.
Temperature provisions and a new fence were installed in Bellevue Elementary School before the start of the school year. The school’s roof was also removed and replaced. Frazer Middle School received renovated masonry and data wiring, and its pool was removed. Edward Smith Elementary School’s first floor hallway remains under construction. The total cost of these renovations is estimated at about $66 million, according to JSCB reports.
Since 2006, the board has overseen renovations to Fowler High School, H.W. Smith School, Dr. Weeks Elementary School and the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central. Those projects were part of the project’s first phase.
The plan’s second phase was authorized 2013, when the New York state legislation was amended to allow JSCB to allocate up to $300 million for school construction. Corcoran High School, Danforth Middle School and Edward Smith K-8 School were among the 15 schools deemed eligible for reconstruction under the legislation.
...
National Butterfly and Hummingbird Day celebrates these small, flying beings, and is for appreciating them, learning about them, spreading awareness about them, and viewing them in person.
There are about 20,000 species of butterflies—some sources say there are 17,500, while some say there are as many 24,000. There are about 750 species found in the United States, where the white cabbage butterfly is the most prevalent. The life cycle of a butterfly begins when eggs are laid on leaves, which hatch into larvae known as caterpillars. They eat the leaves and flowers of the plant they are on, and grow in size while shedding their skin multiple times. They then turn into a pupa, or chrysalis, and then into a butterfly.
SU News
Commentary: Syracuse Basketball will be just fine, even with missing out on recruit (cnycentral.com; Tamurian)
On Wednesday, four-star recruit Andre Jackson committed to Connecticut over Syracuse and a few other schools. The 6'6" small forward was long rumored to be leaning towards the Orange before a late visit to UConn apparently changed the outcome. Regardless of your alliances, it's a great moment in that young man's life he'll never forget. He will be a very good player for the Huskies and potentially at the professional level too.
Syracuse obviously wanted Jackson as he's a very skilled player and his commitment would've been a great addition.
But I have to tell you-
The sky isn't falling in Syracuse.
I promise.
This isn't the first big name recruit Syracuse has lost out on and it won't be the last. At the same time, they will continue to win recruiting battles this year and well into the future. It's just the way this all works.
Stephon Marbury, Donyell Marshall, Julius Hodge and Quade Green are just a few incredibly highly touted players that didn't come to 'Cuse after being being heavily recruited.
As you can tell after all these years, Syracuse was just fine.
...
High school basketball recruit Andre Jackson commits to UConn over Syracuse, others (courant.com; Amore)
Andre Jackson was still undecided, planning a second round of visits to the schools on his short list when he got to UConn on Sept. 20.
After a weekend of watching coach Dan Hurley-run workouts and hanging out with current Huskies players, everything changed.
“Going into the visit, I wasn’t that confident that I was going to be going to UConn,” Jackson said Wednesday at his high school, Albany Academy in Albany, N.Y. “And then after the visit, it was clear. So I was like, ‘If it goes from zero to 100, then it’s definitely the right choice, I’m not going to overthink it.’”
Jackson, a 6-foot-6 guard generally considered a four-star, top-75 prospect in the Class of 2020, let Hurley know before he left that he was going to be a Husky. On Wednesday, Jackson let the world know, standing in front of his classmates in the school chapel, thanking the many coaches, friends and family members who have helped along the way, then taking off his warmup jacket to reveal a UConn T-shirt.
Dan Hurley returns to coaching UConn men following spinal surgery: ‘One of the toughest summers I’ve had in a long time.’
“Right after the visit, he said to us in the car service, ‘I’m going to UConn,’” said Tricia Altieri, Jackson’s mother, “’One hundred percent, I’m gong to UConn.’ He was very impressed with coach Hurley’s practice, how he ran practice, his whole presentation, how he would fit in the program. Andre was able to visualize everything he was saying.”
Most analysts projected Jackson going to Syracuse just a few weeks ago. After his visit to UConn, Jackson canceled a trip to Iowa, which was also in contention, along with UCLA and Maryland, and the deal was done. He returned to UConn last weekend to finalize things.
...
Who will start for the Orange? — 2019 Syracuse Basketball preview - The Juice Online (the juice; Cheng)
As we countdown to tipoff in November, we’re going to be tackling the biggest burning questions on the 2019-20 Syracuse basketball team. Today’s burning question: Who will start this year?
This question has become even more relevant this year with Syracuse losing four of its five starters in the offseason. Guards Frank Howard and Tyus Battle, forward Oshae Brissett and center Paschal Chukwu have all moved on from the Orange, and the only returning starter is guard/forward Elijah Hughes.
STARTING POINT GUARD: JALEN CAREY
With Howard out of the picture, the starting point guard role figures to fall to sophomore Jalen Carey. In his freshman year, Carey flashed his potential, going off for 26 points and seven rebounds in a loss to Connecticut at Madison Square Garden.
But Carey largely found himself out of the rotation by season’s end, because of his ball security issues (0.6 AST/TO ratio) and his shooting (17.4 3PT). Carey started during Syracuse’s exhibition tour through Italy, and was able to get inside at-will (albeit against lesser competition), and showed an improved shooting touch.
STARTING SHOOTING GUARD: BUDDY BOEHEIM
When Howard missed the first four games of the season with an ankle injury, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim promoted his son Buddy to the starting lineup. Though the younger Boeheim struggled in the early portion of the season, Boeheim became one of the best shooters in the ACC, finishing the season averaging 6.8 ppg on 35.3 shooting from downtown.
That carried over into the Italy exhibition, where he averaged 12.0 points per game on the trip. He was particularly sharp in a game against Oxygen Bassano, hitting four consecutive 3-pointers en route to 22 points in a 103-54 victory.
STARTING SMALL FORWARD: ELIJAH HUGHES
Well, this is the easiest call to make considering Hughes is the only returning starter from last year’s team. Hughes also figures to be the team’s leading scorer, since he averaged 13.7 ppg last year, second only to the departed Battle.
One thing to watch for Hughes this season is not just his scoring, but how he scores. Last year, Hughes established himself as an above-average 3-point shooter (36.9 3PT), but also sloppy on his drives (1.9 TPG). In the Italy tour, Hughes made a more concerted effort to score inside, and averaged a team-high 14.5 ppg.
...
ACC expert picks, 2019-20 preview: Duke will have its hands full trying to hold off Louisville, UNC and Virginia (cbssports.com; Norlander)
The ACC is regarded as the deepest and best men's basketball league in the country. Its coaching cradle is considered the crème de la crème of the sport, it annually puts more players into the NBA Draft than any other conference (and shows no signs of slowing down) and it's had five teams make the Final Four in the past five seasons, which is the best in college hoops.
But there is one thing evading the ACC that I find surprising: a No. 1 rating. That is, No. 1 conference rating, per KenPom. The league hasn't finished atop the sport per that metric since 2006-07. In fact, on average over the previous 12 seasons, the ACC has rated as the third-best league. The reason being volume more than anything else, of course. When you have 15 teams as opposed to 10 or 12, you're going to have a few schools dragging you down.
But I think this is the year that changes. While the top of the conference isn't as l-o-a-d-e-d as it's been heading into any given season over the previous half-decade, it's looking to me like the bottom half of the league will be more well-rounded and thus should boost the ACC overall. For the first time since 2009-10, I expect every team save one to finish in the top 100 at KenPom.
Let's take the tour and lead with the headliners.
Louisville's Jordan Nwora is the CBS Sports ACC Preseason Player of the Year
Preseason Player of Year: Jordan Nwora, Louisville
Here's the irony: For as good as I expect the ACC to be this season, it's been a long time since its best player in the preseason was this much of a toss-up. Jordan Nwora's a 6-foot-7 wing and was one of the best talents to bypass the NBA Draft and return to school. He averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists and had a solid 53.3 effective field-goal percentage last season. He'll lead the way for a Louisville team that's going to be intriguing to watch, given the expectations on the group. For us, Nwora beat out UNC freshman Cole Anthony and Duke sophomore Tre Jones. In order to win player of the year at the end of the season, he'll need to improve upon his averages and efficiency from a season ago. We think he'll do that.
Preseason Coach of the Year: Chris Mack, Louisville
Louisville's Chris Mack is only in Year No. 2 with U of L. He's handled the transition quite well. Given the tumult surrounding the program when he took the job and the TBD status of NCAA sanctions still expected to come (how severe is truly anyone's guess; Louisville has the most fascinating situation of any school connected to the FBI probe), I can't commend Mack and his staff enough for how they've found footing and thrived. We expect Louisville to battle Duke for the top spot in the ACC, and given all that this program and these players have played through, their coach gets the preseason nod. Mack should hit 250 career wins this season, and if Louisville makes the NCAAs as expected, it will mark 10 times in 11 seasons he's reached the Big Dance.
Preseason Freshman of the Year: Cole Anthony, UNC
It's been a long time -- almost a decade, dating back to Harrison Barnes -- since North Carolina had the projected best freshman in the ACC. Anthony could be a dynamo. He's strong, quick, ball-dominant and takes crap from no one. A scoring point guard with a deep bag of tools, Anthony has a chance to be the Trae Young of 2019-20. UNC lost a lost of production from last season's No. 1-seeded team that was upset in the Sweet 16 by Auburn. And now, after seeing what Coby White did, get ready for all that flash and volume to go up a notch. Anthony not only has the keys, he will own the car that is UNC's offense. Projection: 24.7 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.2 rpg.
ACC predicted order of finish
| 1 | Duke |
| This was no automatic. Duke didn't receive a sweep of No. 1 votes, but the Blue Devils narrowly finish on top nonetheless. Tre Jones is the biggest name among all players in the conference heading into the season. He's a top-five defender in college basketball, but the question is: will he grow into a reliable shooter? If he does, and if Duke wins 25-plus games, he can be national player of the year. Since this is Duke, there's a crop of freshman names you'll need to know. They are: center Vernon Carey, power forward Matthew Hurt, small forward Wendell Moore and shooting guard Cassius Stanley. Though we've got Duke No. 1 here, I do think the team's floor is relatively low this season. | |
| 2 | Louisville |
| If Louisville's roster can maintain toughness and confidence all season long, the Cardinals are going to contend for a top-two seed in the NCAA Tournament. That's the primary question heading into the season, because there's talent here and experience. The Cards tended to fold at times when up against difficult teams or situations last season. (That loss to Minnesota in the first round of the tournament was VEXING.) Can they shed that aspect of their personality? Outside of Nwora, there's the return of forwards Dwayne Sutton and Malik Williams, in addition to the key grad transfer addition of Lamarr Kimble (Saint Joseph's). I like Louisville's depth and backcourt. Final Four hopes here. | |
| 3 | N. Carolina |
| Roy Williams has never gone six straight seasons finishing with a top-10 KenPom team since he took over at UNC. He can do it this year, though it's going to be a challenge. The Tar Heels lost four starters from last season AND lost Seventh Woods to transfer, plus Nassir Little to the NBA. The only returning starter is junior power forward Garrison Brooks. But say hello to a lot of talent. Cole Anthony will rule many a day, plus Armando Bacot should be a double-double guy by season's end. Senior Brandon Robinson is unheralded, and of course, shouts to Leaky Black! This is Leaky's year, folks. | |
| 4 | Virginia |
| Oh, I'm very aware that it is dubious to put a Tony Bennett-coached Virginia team fourth in a preseason prediction. To be fair, though, the difference between the top four teams in this conference, at least how they're projected entering November, is miniscule. Reality is, the Wahoos lost their three best players (DeAndre Hunter, Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome) and have a lot of offense to make up. Fortunately, slender sniper Jay Huff's about to break out -- and Elite Eight hero Mamadi Diakite opted to return at the last minute. Kihei Clark will run the offense, and the defense will remain top-level. Virginia can and should land anywhere between the 1 and 4 line come Selection Sunday. | |
| 5 | NC State |
| Look out for Markell Johnson, who I expect to be right there with Tre Jones and Cole Anthony among the best guards in the league. NC State is a notch below the four teams listed above, but this should be a bounce-back season after last year's group was kept out of the NCAAs due to a horrendous nonleague schedule, which affected its reputation and its metrics (and rightfully so). The Wolfpack return three starters (Johnson, C.J. Bryce, Braxton Beverly) and figure to win on the strength and depth of their point guards, shooting guards and multi-functional wings. NCAA Tournament is absolutely the expectation. | |
| 6 | Florida St. |
| Leonard Hamilton is coming off the best three-year run of his career. FSU's won 26, 23 and 29 games the past three seasons. This year, a dip seems unavoidable -- but the Noles still should be plenty good enough to crack through and dance for the fourth consecutive season, which would match the longest streak in program history (2009-12). I'm big on Trent Forrest and think he's got a shot to pop and compete for All-ACC first team. Losing Mfiondu Kabengele a year ahead of schedule is a stinger, but there's enough talent -- vet M.J. Walker, freshmen Balsa Koprivica and Patrick Williams -- to keep FSU north of 20 wins by the start of the ACC Tournament. | |
| 7 | Notre Dame |
| This could come to be too low, as Notre Dame returns five starters ... and no coach in the league wants to face a Mike Brey team with five returning starters. But ND went 14-19 last season and won just three games, its worst campaign in the near-two-decade history of being coached by Brey. So long as Notre Dame can go a season without serious injuries to any of its five best players -- which it couldn't dodge many times in recent seasons -- the Fighting Irish should be an NCAA Tournament team. Look for Prentiss Hubb to break out, and remember, Rex Pflueger returns for one more season after going down last December with a knee injury. | |
| 8 | Syracuse |
| This is right about where the at-large line gets blurry in this league, and yes, we're zagging a bit. Cuse, which has been young in some recent seasons, will be nearly as inexperienced as it's ever been. Despite the fact that four starters from last year are gone, Jim Boeheim has had some success with green rosters in the past. Out: Tyus Battle, Oshae Brissett, Frank Howard, Paschal Chukwu. Back: Elijah Hughes, Marek Dolezaj, Buddy Boeheim, Bourama Sidibe and Jalen Carey. That just might be enough to squeak into the field of 68. |
Miami Basketball: Chris Lykes and DJ Vasiljevic obvious choice for ACC Operation Basketball (caneswarning.com; Rubenstein)
The Miami basketball program’s decision to send guards, senior Dejan Vasiljevic and junior Chris Lykes to ACC Operation Basketball in Charlotte on October 8 was the obvious choice.
The Miami basketball program is coming off of a 14-18 season. It was their first losing record in seven seasons under head coach Jim Larranaga. Guards, Senior Dejan Vasiljevic and junior Chris Lykes are the only double-digit scorers returning from last season. They will be the representatives for Miami at ACC Operation Basketball.
The 2019 ACC Operation Basketball event is Oct. 8 at the Charlotte Marriott City Center in Charlotte. Lykes, Vasiljevic and Jim Larranaga will represent Miami this season. It will be the first appearance at ACC Operation Basketball for both Lykes and Vasiljevic. CBS Sports picks Miami ninth in the 15 team ACC.
Lykes and Vasiljevic are the only primary starters back. Redshirt junior forward Sam Waardenburg started 11 games last season and averaged 5.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG. Waardenburg is likely to start with Vasiljevic, Lykes and redshirt juniors, guard Kameron McGusty, and center Rodney Miller.
Lykes led the Miami basketball team last season with 16.7 points and 3.2 assists per game. Vasiljevic is the second leading returning scorer at 11.8 PPG and led the Hurricanes in 2018-19 in three-point field goals made and attempted and in three-point percentage for Miami for players with 10 or more attempts.
CBS Sports projects Miami to finish ninth in the ACC during the 2019-20 season. Miami can exceed those expectations if the newcomers mesh. The lack of a true 2018-19 recruiting class is still hindering the Miami basketball roster. CBS considers the Hurricanes a year away because of that.
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Other
City board to spend $300 million on Syracuse school renovations (DO; Geilman)
Several schools in the Syracuse City School District have been renovated as part of a state- funded project managed by the city.
A total of $300 million will be invested in city schools, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said at a media roundtable in September. About half of that sum has already been invested, he said. The district is renovating a total of 15 schools.
“We’re taking care of some punch list items on a handful of our schools and we have some work to do,” Walsh said.
“Big picture, I think that sends a strong message on the value that we put on educating our young people.”
The Joint Schools Construction Board, run by SCSD and the city, is managing he investments. The current renovations are part of the board’s Comprehensive Plan, which is in its second phase.
Temperature provisions and a new fence were installed in Bellevue Elementary School before the start of the school year. The school’s roof was also removed and replaced. Frazer Middle School received renovated masonry and data wiring, and its pool was removed. Edward Smith Elementary School’s first floor hallway remains under construction. The total cost of these renovations is estimated at about $66 million, according to JSCB reports.
Since 2006, the board has overseen renovations to Fowler High School, H.W. Smith School, Dr. Weeks Elementary School and the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central. Those projects were part of the project’s first phase.
The plan’s second phase was authorized 2013, when the New York state legislation was amended to allow JSCB to allocate up to $300 million for school construction. Corcoran High School, Danforth Middle School and Edward Smith K-8 School were among the 15 schools deemed eligible for reconstruction under the legislation.
...
