sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Dinosaur Day!
Today we celebrate those large, extinct reptiles: dinosaurs. Scientists believe they first appeared about 245 million years ago, at the beginning of the Middle Triassic Epoch, and existed for about 180 million years, going extinct about 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The period when they lived is called the Mesozoic Era. During this time they went through many changes, and various species of dinosaurs replaced other species. Some dinosaurs were bipedal, meaning they walked on two legs, and some were quadrupedal, meaning they walked on all fours. Some switched back and forth. Some were covered with feathers, while others had what was almost like body armor. Some ran fast, and others were slow; most were herbivores, but some were carnivores. There were at least 700 species of dinosaurs, and possibly more than 1,000.
SU News
Naheem McLeod, a 7-foot-4 center, has transferred from Florida State to Syracuse. Photo courtesy FSU athletics
What is Syracuse getting in Florida State transfer Naheem McLeod? ACC basketball analyst Jordan Cornette weighs in (PS; Waters)
On Feb. 8, 2023, the Syracuse Orange faced the Florida State Seminoles in the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Fla.
Syracuse won the 76-67 thanks to Joe Girard’s 26 points, but beyond the senior guard’s magnificent shooting performance, the game featured two vastly different centers.
Syracuse’s Jesse Edwards, in the midst of a stellar senior season which he would top off as an All-ACC third team selection, scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Florida State’s Naheem McLeod, struggling through a difficult sophomore campaign, came off the bench to score a career-high 16 points to go along with his eight rebounds.
What no one could have known at the time was following the season Edwards would transfer to West Virginia for his lone remaining year of eligibility and that Syracuse would recruit McLeod through the transfer portal to replace him.
Jordan Cornette worked that game as the color analyst for the ACC Network’s broadcast.
“Jesse was more skilled than Naheem, no question,’’ Cornette said. “Jesse is a skilled big who developed his game in his time at Syracuse. He’ll be missed.
“But Naheem provides instant height and size,’’ Cornette added. “He’s a young big man with a lot of potential.’’
Edwards averaged 14.5 points per game for the Orange last season. He attempted nearly 10 shots per game. McLeod scored 3.8 points per game on three shots per game.
“He’s not going to be asked to be a scorer,’’ Cornette said of McLeod. “He can rim-run, alter shots and rebound. He’s not going to dictate or facilitate your offense. Maybe he’ll graduate into that.’’
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Syracuse Basketball: Adrian Autry with another big get in 7-foot-4 center (itlh; Adler)
Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry and his staff continue to make encouraging moves on the recruiting trail.
On Monday afternoon, Florida State big-man transfer Naheem McLeod said via Twitter that he would commit to the Orange. The 7-foot-4 sophomore center hails from Philadelphia and officially visited the Hill two weekends ago.
McLeod had said on Twitter that he was eyeing a future college decision on Tuesday, but he went ahead and committed to the ‘Cuse on Monday instead. A big welcome to Naheem.
Since entering the NCAA’s transfer portal, McLeod had reportedly heard from a variety of teams. He has said that Syracuse basketball was among the first schools to contact him after he hit the portal.
Syracuse basketball has added critical depth at the center spot ahead of next season.
Reports suggested that McLeod was planning a possible official visit to Southeastern Conference member Mississippi State, but that trip didn’t transpire.
As such, his only official visit since entering the portal was to the ‘Cuse, and that led me to believe that the Orange would likely prevail in his recruitment.
McLeod said in several interviews that his official visit to Central New York went quite well, and he has spoken highly of the Syracuse basketball coaching staff, the squad’s 2023-24 roster, and the appeal of suiting up inside the JMA Wireless Dome in front of large Orange-clad crowds.
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Axe: Autry hitting all the right notes so far as SU basketball head coach (PS; $; Axe)
Adrian Autry grabbed the microphone from Jim Boeheim just over two months ago as the new Syracuse University men’s basketball lead singer and missed a note yet.
The latest jam SU fans bobbed their heads to came on Monday when Autry landed Florida State transfer Naheem McLeod, all seven-foot-four of him, out of the transfer portal.
McLeod may not solve all of SU’s issues at center in place of Jesse Edwards, but does fill a serious position of need for the Orange.
McLeod’s transfer comes on the heels of Donnie Freeman, a elite prospect in the Class of 2024, committing to Syracuse last week.
Add in already committed 2024 prospect Elijah Moore and Autry has a Top 10 class building, according to 247 sports.
Autry also brought in transfers JJ Starling and Chance Westry to jam with a band that’s really starting to cook.
If Judah Mintz doesn’t like what he hears at the NBA Combine in Chicago this week and returns to Syracuse for his sophomore season, Bruce Springsteen won’t be the only artist reminding of “Glory Days” at the JMA Wireless Dome.
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Naheem McLeod "The 315" 5-15-23 (ESPN; radio; The 315)
7’4″ center Naheem McLeod is the newest member of Syracuse men’s basketball after transferring from FSU, and he called in to chat with Brian Higgins just hours after announcing his commitment.
Brian Higgins begins The 315 with reaction to former FSU center Naheem McLeod committing to Syracuse. Then, the newest member of the Orange men’s basketball team joins the show to discuss his transfer process, why he chose to play for Coach Red Autry, and how he got the nickname “Duke.” Later, Tim Leonard joins Brian to discuss how SU fits into the ongoing conference realignment rumors.
SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 17: Naheem McLeod #24 of the Florida Seminoles goes to the basket against Posh Alexander #0 of the St Johns Red Storm during the AutoNation Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on December 17, 2022 at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
Monday’s ACC Player Movement News - Syracuse Gets Bigger (DBR; King)
Player movement is slowing down now that the portal has closed for this year, but there are still some chips to fall and in the ACC, it was Syracuse 1, Florida State 0 as 7-4 Naheem McLeod committed to Adrian Autrey’s program.
What does it mean?
Well it depends on what Autrey is planning. Certainly he’d be a good fit in the ol’ 2-3 where he could hang around the rim and challenge shots, but there’s no guarantee that Autrey keeps it (although it could still work with more talented players).
Whatever the scheme is, Syracuse needs size and he certainly brings it. He’s also bringing in a sold class with 7-0 William Patterson, who might be better than McLeod, 6-6 Chance Westry from Auburn and 6-4 local kid JJ Starling, who comes over from Notre Dame.
And next year is off to a good start as Donnie Freeman recently committed, joining Elijah Moore in the class of 2024.
As we mentioned, Clemson has also done well in the portal and are well-positioned for next season. How is everyone else doing?
Here’s a rundown from Charleston’s Post and Courier of how everyone’s roster building has gone to date. Big spoiler - they like what Clemson did.
We’re not sure the take on Syracuse is right. Losing Jesse Edwards is a big deal - but he’s always been foul prone - and Joe Girard, who is taking his 16.4 ppg to Clemson. He was solid at Syracuse but not great.
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Syracuse Basketball: Mock-draft projections as Judah Mintz hits combine
The 2023 NBA Draft Combine will take place this week in Chicago, and Syracuse basketball freshman point guard Judah Mintz is an expected participant. The 6...
insidetheloudhouse.com
The 2023 NBA Draft Combine will take place this week in Chicago, and Syracuse basketball freshman point guard Judah Mintz is an expected participant.
The 6-foot-3 Mintz, who had a terrific first season for the Orange during the 2022-23 campaign, is testing the 2023 NBA Draft waters while maintaining his college eligibility.
The combine, per a media release from the NBA, will occur from May 15 to May 21 at the Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. The 2023 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 22 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn N.Y.
Without question, if Judah Mintz has a strong showing at the combine, that will only help boost his draft stock as the 2023 NBA Draft inches closer. Many ‘Cuse fans, myself included, would love to see him return to the Hill for another stanza, but if Mintz stays in the draft, I hope he’s a high pick and crushes things in the professional ranks.
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Syracuse Basketball has another huge news day as 7'4'' big man Naheem McLeod commits to the Orange. The former Florida State center helps answer the questions surrounding Jesse Edward's departure from the program. What does McLeod present skill-wise? What does the starting five look like? What else can SU do this off season?
What is Syracuse Getting in New Center Naheem McLeod? (orangefizz.net; Simone)
Syracuse has found its new center. After Jesse Edwards left for West Virginia, the Orange needed to make a move in the portal to bolster an inexperienced group consisting of Mounir Hima, Peter Carey and William Patterson.
It comes in the form of Naheem McLeod, a former Florida State Seminole, listed at a towering 7’4 255. McLeod spent his freshman season at a junior college before a couple of years in Tallahassee.
If you were hoping for a sure-fire production in the middle to replace Edward’s double-double average, McLeod doesn’t provide that. He averaged just five points and two rebounds two years ago, and four points and three rebounds last season. McLeod did average over a block per game in the 2022-23 campaign.
Those relatively low numbers came in limited action. He averaged 13 minutes per game last year primarily as the backup center. McLeod only played more than 20 minutes seven times last year.
His best game of the season, and probably of his career, came against Syracuse. McLeod scored a career-best 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, the second most he has ever had, but his highest mark against a power six opponent, with his career high of nine coming against Mercer last year.
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Other
Builders Frank Fava and Patrick Basset have proposed building a 162-unit apartment complex at Route 31 and Drakes Landing Road in Lysander's Radisson Community. The buildings would look like this apartment building they recently built on Center Pointe Drive in Radisson. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com)
Ryan McMahon takes a close look at tax break for Lysander apartments and calls for its defeat (PS; Knauss)
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said today that he will recommend against a controversial property tax break for upscale suburban apartments in Lysander that previously looked likely to be approved.
McMahon had spoken favorably about the tax break in the past, without explicitly endorsing it. His economic development director supported granting the incentive.
But McMahon said he took a closer look at the proposal for Drakes Landing Apartments, a 162-unit complex in the Radisson community, following a public hearing last week at which 15 people spoke against granting the project a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT.
The county executive said he agreed with criticism that the builders’ plan to collect an upfront development fee of $5.4 million – a whopping 12.4% of the total $44 million project cost – indicated they did not need a PILOT to proceed.
The PILOT sought by the developers would save them $1.3 million in school, town and county property taxes over a decade.
OCIDA will not approve the deal, McMahon predicted today.
That’s news to Pat Hogan, chairman of the OCIDA board, who had previously said he was leaning toward granting the incentive. Hogan said he has not heard from McMahon and is still inclined to vote yes on the PILOT.
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Upstate NY golf course unlikely to look or feel same for PGA Championship (PS; AP)
Major golf championships are nothing new at Oak Hill. The Donald Ross gem in upstate New York already has hosted three U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup. And yet the PGA Championship’s return to Oak Hill feels like a debut.
Part of that is because of the fabled East Course.
Oak Hill kept getting so far away from its Ross roots — the club dates to 1901 — that it finally took on a restoration project so thorough it’s a wonder any of the 32 players who have played it in the last two PGA Championships will recognize the place.
Three holes were not there when the PGA Championship was last at Oak Hill in 2013. Trees were removed, creating more vistas and recovery options. The bunkers are steep and penal, similar to what Ross had in mind.
And part of the newness to this PGA Championship is the calendar.
The PGA of America announced in 2017 it would be moving its premier championship to May, a decision that would eliminate northern courses from future consideration. Oak Hill, however, was already locked in for 2023, the last hurdle before a a lineup of courses in warmer climates.
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