sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Baby Back Ribs Day!
National Baby Back Ribs Day, also known as Baby Back Ribs Day, National Barbecue Baby Back Ribs Day, and National BBQ Baby Back Ribs Day, is being observed today! It is observed annually on September 3rd.
SU News
Elijah Moore, a 6-foot-4 guard from the Bronx, will wear a number that hasn't been worn by a Syracuse player in nearly 100 years. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com)
Syracuse basketball’s 2024-25 roster: What number is going to be worn for the first time in 100 years? (PS; $; Waters)
A Syracuse legend’s number will be worn for the first time in nearly 100 years this season.
Syracuse freshman Elijah Moore will wear No. 8 this season. No Syracuse player has worn the No. 8 since Vic Hanson, a three-sport star at Syracuse in the 1920s.
Hanson played basketball at Syracuse from 1925 to 1927 and was a three-time All-American. In 1926, Hanson led Syracuse to a 19-1 record. The Helms Foundation named Syracuse its 1926 national champion and Hanson as the player of the year. Hanson also played football and baseball at Syracuse.
Hanson is one of 17 Syracuse players whose jerseys have been honored by the university and currently hang on display in the JMA Wireless.
Moore, a 6-foot-4 guard from the Bronx, becomes the first Syracuse player to don No. 8 since Hanson.
For many years, college basketball players couldn’t wear numbers above 5, but the NCAA recently relaxed its rules regarding jersey numbers.
Moore’s decision to wear No. 8 was just one of a few interesting revelations after Syracuse University released the basketball team’s complete roster for the 2024-25 season.
Freshmen numbers
While Moore will wear No. 8, another Syracuse freshman will wear another number that was formerly off-limits per NCAA rules.
Petar Majstorovic, a 6-foot-9 freshman from France, will wear No. 6. The last Syracuse player to wear No. 6 was Lawrence Crandall in the 1947-48 season.
Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9 forward from Washington D.C. and a member of the 2024 McDonald’s All-America team, will wear the No. 1, which was made famous by former SU forward Hakim Warrick.
Weights and measures
Two returning players have added weight from a year ago. Chris Bell, a 6-7 junior forward, has gained four pounds since last fall and is listed at 192 pounds.
Chance Westry, a 6-6 guard who missed all of last season with a knee injury, is up 15 pounds over the past year. Westry was listed at 190 pounds a year ago and is now at 205.
Two of Syracuse’s four incoming transfers are listed at heavier weights than they were at their previous schools.
Jaquan Carlos, a 6-0 point guard from Hofstra, is at 180 pounds; an increase of 10 pounds from his junior year at Hofstra. Jyare Davis, a 6-7 forward from Delaware, has gone from 215 to 220 pounds.
The only player to drop weight is Kyle Cuffe. The 6-2 junior guard is listed at 188 pounds. He was at 190 last year.
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Malika Andrews and Dave McMenamin attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on April 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)Getty Images
Syracuse alum marries fellow ESPN reporter Malika Andrews on a special date (PS; Herbert)
A Syracuse University alumnus married a fellow ESPN reporter on a special date last week, according to The New York Times.
Dave McMenamin, who was a student manager for Syracuse basketball’s 2003 national championship team, tied the knot with “NBA Countdown” host Malika Andrews on Aug. 24 in California. They exchanged their wedding vows at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge in his hometown of San Francisco and then celebrated with a reception at the Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito.
According to the Times, the couple met in 2017, the same year she started her first job out of college. The newspaper called them a “basketball journalism power couple.”
McMenamin, 41, joined ESPN as an NBA reporter in 2009 and primarily covers the Los Angeles Lakers, plus has contributed to “NBA Today,” “ESPN the Magazine,” and “SportsCenter.” He graduated from Syracuse University in 2005; in his sophomore year, he served as student manager for the Carmelo Anthony-led hoops team that won the NCAA title.
“I bleed Orange,” McMenamin told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard in 2021.
Andrews, 29, is nationally known as the host of “NBA Today” and “NBA Countdown,” plus became the first woman to host the NBA Draft in 2022.
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it,” Andrews wrote on Instagram with photos of their wedding.
Their wedding date was Kobe Bryant Day, a celebration of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The NBA star, who died in a 2020 helicopter crash, is honored in L.A. and Orange County on 8/24, which represents his two jersey numbers, 8 and 24.
McMenamin, also known as @mcten on social media, has covered the Lakers for more than a decade, including during Bryant’s career and Melo’s final NBA season. He credited Bryant for agreeing to do a one-on-one on-camera interview about his Achilles injury in 2013, which encouraged McMenamin to pursue more work in sports television.
“I cannot emphasize enough how big of a break this was for my career,” McMenamin wrote on Instagram in 2020. “For more than 30 minutes on that Monday morning in June he opened up to me about so much — his leadership style, his rehab, his mentor role with younger players, how he watched movies like ‘The Lorax’ with his daughters rather than the playoffs because it was time for family time. I was only promised 10 minutes. He took care of me... The interview got heavy play on SportsCenter and gave me the confidence to really pursue the TV side of this job with far more intent and passion.”
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(youtube; podcast; Syracuse Orange)
On the latest episode of Syracuse Sports, Brent Axe checks in with ESPN National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi to get a report on Syracuse Basketball recruiting.
Biancardi tells Axe how incoming freshman Donnie Freeman and Elijah Moore will help the Orange this season.
What are the chances that Kiyan Anthony, the son of Orange legens Carmelo Anthony, comes to Syracuse and what are the biggest attributes of his game? What will highly-rated Class of 2025 commit Sadiq White bring to the Orange?
Axe and Biancardi also discuss players on Syracuse's radar like Shon Abaev, Ryder Frost, Acaden Lewis, London Jamieson and Tyler Jackson and what projected 2025 No. 1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg will bring to the JMA Dome as an opponent for Duke this season.
An analyst confirms to us that 2026 5-star SG Jordan Smith Jr. will unofficially visit Syracuse basketball later this month. / Anadolu/GettyImages
Syracuse Basketball: 5-star Jordan Smith Jr. sets 'Cuse unofficial visit, per analyst (itlh; Adler)
Later this month, 2026 five-star shooting guard and top-five national prospect Jordan Smith Jr. from the talent-laden Washington, D.C., metropolitan area plans to visit two Atlantic Coast Conference schools, including Syracuse basketball.
Per DMV insider and top analyst/scout Colby Giacubeno, the 6-foot-3 Smith will take an unofficial visit to blue-blood program Duke on September 28.
Giacubeno had a subscriber-exclusive piece via madehoops.com on Smith. I'll always, always respect Colby's VIP work. However, I did trade messages directly with him, and Giacubeno tells me that Smith expects to also take an unofficial visit to the Orange from September 21 to September 22.
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Naturally, this is an encouraging development for the 'Cuse staff, although the competition to ultimately prevail for Smith is intense - and growing.
Syracuse basketball will soon host five-star Jordan Smith Jr. on an unofficial visit.
The Orange coaching staff offered a scholarship to Smith in early May of 2023. Syracuse basketball coaches have recruited him hard for a while, and my assumption is that Smith is one of the team's top targets in the 2026 class.
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4-star Derek Dixon, who has Syracuse basketball in top 6, to decide later this month (itlh; Adler)
It looks like Syracuse basketball 2025 target Derek Dixon from Washington, D.C., is nearing the end of his recruiting process.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Dixon, a talented four-star combo guard and top-60 national prospect, plans to make his college decision at the end of this month, according to a report on zagsblog.com from top insiders Adam Zagoria and Sam Lance.
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Earlier this summer, Dixon disclosed a top six of the Orange, Vanderbilt, Arizona, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Virginia.
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Syracuse Basketball: 4-stars, 5-stars who 'Cuse may watch in fall recruiting period (itlh; Adler)
Later this month, the fall recruiting period will commence, enabling Syracuse basketball coaches and their peers around the country to watch recruits during open gyms at their respective high schools.
For the Orange, the 'Cuse coaching staff has already secured one verbal pledge in the 2025 class while continuing to heavily pursue various other top-flight targets. In 2026, Syracuse basketball has offered a variety of prospects.
Moving to 2027, I'm aware of at least two rising sophomores who have picked up scholarship offers from the Orange. By extension, across all of these cycles, 'Cuse coaches could be showing an interest in other high school players, with offers still to come.
For one, in late August, Syracuse basketball coaches held their annual Elite Camp on the Hill, with prospects in multiple classes competing in front of Orange coaches.
In any event, with fall recruiting nearly here, I'm taking a look below at Syracuse basketball recruits who may see the Orange staff visit them at upcoming open gyms. Per this NCAA recruiting calendar, the fall period starts on September 4.
Syracuse basketball may watch these four-star and five-star prospects at open gyms soon.
2025 Class
Sadiq White Jr.
The five-star, top-20 national prospect verbally committed to the 'Cuse in late May of this year. White will spend his senior year at the powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He has unofficially visited the Orange twice, and I anticipate that White will take an official visit to Syracuse basketball during his senior season.
Kiyan Anthony
The four-star shooting guard and top-30 national prospect is a rising senior at Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y. Anthony has the 'Cuse in his top six. He took an official visit to the program in late October of last year and has said he's likely to visit Syracuse basketball again.
Acaden Lewis
A four-star guard and top-40 overall player in his class, Lewis stars for the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. He has the Orange in his top eight and unofficially visited 'Cuse on August 1. Based on what I've been told, Lewis is also likely to take an official visit to Syracuse basketball at some point.
Shon Abaev
This weekend, Abaev has been on an official visit to the Orange. He's a four-star wing/small forward and a top-40 national prospect in the 2025 cycle. Abaev attends the Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
London Jemison
The four-star wing/small forward and top-40 national prospect out of the St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., went on an official visit to Syracuse basketball in late December of last year. Jemison has the 'Cuse in his top six.
Derek Dixon
The elite DMV product took an official visit to the Hill in late September of 2023. Dixon, a four-star guard and a top-60 national prospect, stars for Gonzaga College High School in D.C. His top six include Syracuse basketball.
Tyler Jackson
The Baltimore native, a four-star point guard and a top-50 national prospect, took an official visit to the Orange in late January of this year. He is a rising senior in the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite.
Asher Elson
The four-star power forward/center, offered by the 'Cuse in mid-April of this year, is a top-120 national prospect in the 2025 cycle. Word recently broke that the New York City product will spend his senior year in Overtime Elite.
Ryder Frost
The four-star wing and top-100 overall player, a rising senior at the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., went on an official visit to Syracuse basketball in late June. Not too long ago, he unveiled a top eight, and the Orange made the cut.
Keyshuan Tillery
The four-star point guard and top-50 national prospect unofficially visited the 'Cuse in late August of last year when he competed in the team's Elite Camp. Sources have told me that he may visit Syracuse basketball again. The Albany, N.Y., native is a standout with the New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H.
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Syracuse Basketball: 'Cuse 2024-25 roster is much more experienced than a season ago (itlh; Adler)
In slightly more than two months, Syracuse basketball will embark on its 2024-25 season, as the Orange aims to get back to the NCAA Tournament following a three-year absence.
In 2024-25, head coach Adrian Autry and his top-flight staff will possess a roster that is much more experienced than a season ago, when the 'Cuse went 20-12 overall and won at least 20 regular-season games for the first time in a decade.
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Now, just to be clear, when I note the word "experienced," I'm referring to the class designations of 2024-25 players. It's absolutely true that the Orange's roster for this coming term has been overhauled, with guys transferring in and out of the program this past off-season, much like the team's peers around the country.
Between college transfers and incoming freshmen from the high school level, Syracuse basketball has numerous 2024-25 players who are new to the 'Cuse. But still, the Orange's 2024-25 line-up will contain way more veterans, so to speak, than in 2023-24.
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2002 South Carolina vs Syracuse Basketball (NIT) (youtube; video; Robby B)
This video is a telecast, broadcast, and production of the respected company. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This video is intended for historical and educational viewing purposes. Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107
GAME 2 SYRACUSE 0-1 @ TEMPLE 0-2 NCAA MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON 5 2025 (yiutube; simulation; Goats International)
Very realistic simulation other than all the ficitious players
GAME 2 SYRACUSE 0-1 @ TEMPLE 0-2 NCAA MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON 5 2025
Former Syracuse basketball star signs contract with Philadelphia 76ers (PS; $; Carlson)
Former Syracuse men’s basketball star Judah Mintz has signed a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, the team announced on Sunday. The team did not disclose details of the contract.
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Multiple reporters who cover the 76ers reported that the deal is an Exhibit-10 contract.
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An Exhibit-10 contract pays the player the NBA minimum but can be converted into a two-way contract by the team. A two-way deal allows a team to split a player’s time between their NBA and G-League franchises.
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Other
A funky Westcott St. burger place is closing. New owner may bring changes to the concept (PS; $; Cazentre)
LODED, a restaurant that introduced over-the-top burgers, fries and more to the Westcott Street business district earlier this year, is closing after business Sunday in preparation for a sale to a new owner.
A Facebook message posted on the LODED page late Friday did not identify the new owner or provide specific details.
“It is with a sad yet exhilarated heart to tell you LODED at 510 Westcott Street will be closing on September 1st.,” the post said. “We have been given an amazing opportunity to expand our brand just not in the typical sense as a brick and mortar. Our new owners/ partnership will be bringing LODED to another level one we just can’t accommodate here on Westcott street.”
The post did say the transition “may take some time.”
“As we shift into our next chapter we ask to be patient with us ... as it will be a big shift,” the post said. “Stay tuned on our social media.”
LODED opened in February at 510 Westcott St. after relocating from its original location on Thompson Road. It was the latest dining establishment operated by Danielle Mercuri. She is also involved with the Rise N Shine Diner (next door to LODED) and LaLa Lu on Carrier Circle.
Those other business are not part of the sale and will remain open, Mercuri told syracuse.com in a short interview. Staff at LODED will be offered positions at those restaurants, she said. She did not elaborate further on the situation.
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A downtown Syracuse restaurant dedicated to charcuterie has permanently closed (PS; Miller)
An eclectic restaurant in downtown Syracuse whose concept was built around charcuterie served its last meal on Saturday and will not reopen.
Board & Bar Charcuterie, located in Clinton Square, made the announcement on its Facebook page this morning.
“As of today, Board & Bar will be closed permanently,” owners Nick and Laurie Salvetti wrote. “We are so thankful for the continued support over the years and are grateful for all the relationships made along the way.”
The Salvettis, a husband-and-wife team that met at West Genesee High School, opened Board & Bar in July 2021 as restaurants were coming out of Covid restrictions. Nick had been the chef and CEO of Défi Cuisine, the previous restaurant in this spot.
Board & Bar offered a curated selection of locally-sourced cured meats, cheese and accompaniments broad together in a creative presentation. The restaurant, located next to the Saltine Warrior, had a sophisticated yet approachable vibe for get-togethers, date nights and special occasions. It was also one of few downtown restaurants offering brunch.
Syracuse.com restaurant critic Jared Paventi praised Board & Bar for its cuisine and an atmosphere that inherently had patrons sharing food and conversation. “The vast majority of customers were like our group; tables full of friends and family picking their way through the boards and immersing themselves in the relaxed, casual atmosphere the Salvettis have worked to create,” he wrote.
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A Central NY apple orchard has been picked as the best cidery in the US (PS; Hernandez)
As the last golden days of August give way to the crisp promise of fall, there’s no better time to raise a glass of hard cider—especially from a family-run orchard in Upstate New York, now ranked the best in America.
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, just west of Cooperstown, was awarded the title of Best Cidery in the United States by readers of USA TODAY.
The charming country farm began producing non-alcoholic cider in 1856 and visitors can still see cider being pressed from their original 1889 apple press, producing over 20,000 gallons each fall.
In 2002 the Mill started to offer hard ciders, apple wines and apple pie moonshine. They have a new tasting room that serves tasting flights and ciders by-the-glass.
Over 100,000 visitors come to the campus each year to taste their delicious wares like fudge, New York State cheese, homemade pies, dumplings and their apple cider doughnuts. Try their signature cider float made with French vanilla ice cream, cider and ginger ale.
The fresh-pressing season will kick off on September 12 with the arrival of the apple harvest. The Mill is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the season will run through December.