Class of 2020 G Bryce Zephir (CA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/16/25)

[IthacaMatt]

Kingz is long and rangy and won’t be undersized as a 3 nor is he just a spot up catch and shoot guy. Not to mention George is solid as a PG on the boards

Kingz shot better than 50% on uncontested catch-and-shoot 3s.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I’m generally curious what the complaints are about. So far they all are drenched in assumptions when a few folks have already said Deng or someone else like him is the last major target and we would fill out the roster with lower level guys not expected to contribute.

Generally speaking, this guy doesn't look like he's going to play. That's the disappointment. He's a guard who doesn't shoot the 3 and is not a PG.

We need a big wide body from a Montana State type of school much more than a limited but hardworking guard.

That's why people are disappointed. You can say we have enough guys for some positions, but center is still not one of them.

 

[IthacaMatt]

BUT HE SAID LIFE CHANGING OFFER

Yeah, that's kind of troubling. I hope they didn't have to pay much money for a kid like this.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Of course it is. But this board is ridiculous. This kid is a practice player. He is not going to play ahead of JJ, George or Fennell. Why are people upset about this addition? Not going to play ahead of Anthony either. So what exactly is the objection?

Two objections: (1) not the position we need more help, (2) how much money did we pay? "Life changing money" sounds like bad value.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Some dumbasss posted his Evan Miya and all his efficiencies like 5 mins after the announcement bashing him. As if they mean anything in the Mountain West and Juco leagues. He's 6'4 and 25 years old and it not injured. All 3 of those things are big upgrades.

LOL. That's a pretty low bar, but yes, at least Autry hasn't wasted 3 picks on guys coming off injuries from the portal this year.

 

[IthacaMatt]

The upgrades are pretty significant honestly and I don’t think that’s controversial either. The real unknown is coaching. With good coaching this roster should be hands down a tournament team once we add Deng or a similar player. With the coaching we have? A huge unknown.

We still lack a legit big man, someone with size who can get a basket or get to the line when you throw it into the low post. That is necessary to open up the outside shooting, folks.

It was no accident that Bell started shooting well late in the year when Eddie was playing so well offensively. They had to guard, if not double him in the post. That creates an open shooter.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Didn’t have anyone over 6’9 in 08-09 and 09-10 either. Dude is the 11th or 12th man at best.

Maybe so, but we had some big boys on those teams.
I don't see anyone like that on this roster yet, not even as depth pieces.

 

[Niastri]

We still lack a legit big man, someone with size who can get a basket or get to the line when you throw it into the low post. That is necessary to open up the outside shooting, folks.

It was no accident that Bell started shooting well late in the year when Eddie was playing so well offensively. They had to guard, if not double him in the post. That creates an open shooter.

Donnie Freeman is that guy for us next year. He was a ranked 33rd by RSCI as a junior in October of 23 (listed at 6’7, btw) because of his post game and overall athleticism.

By May of 24, he had shot up to 8th in those same rankings for three reasons, one major, two minor. First, he was now listed at 6’9 (those couple of inches and their corresponding additional length really matter). Secondly, he started showing much better handle on the perimeter. But most importantly, Freeman started showing he has consistent three point shooting.

But if you went back two years, Freeman was a top ranked prospect primarily for his post up game. Now it’s been widely reported he’s grown more, and is now 6’10. Freeman is going to need to be double teamed a lot of the time in the post next year, which is going to make everybody around him better.

Throw in his dribble penetration game, and his guard-like three point shooting, and I expect he’s going to be very difficult to guard.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Red said tonight that Donnie has grown another inch. He’s up to 6’10, 6’11”.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Donnie Freeman is that guy for us next year. He was a ranked 33rd by RSCI as a junior in October of 23 (listed at 6’7, btw) because of his post game and overall athleticism.

By May of 24, he had shot up to 8th in those same rankings for three reasons, one major, two minor. First, he was now listed at 6’9 (those couple of inches and their corresponding additional length really matter). Secondly, he started showing much better handle on the perimeter. But most importantly, Freeman started showing he has consistent three point shooting.

Here's the problem, Donnie likes the 3 too much. He doesn't play in the low post, like ever. All he gets are put backs or dump offs down low. Nearly 1/3 of his shots were from the 3 point line in limited time last year. He's likely to shoot even more from three this year.

He thinks he's an NBA three, and so that's what he's going to want to do this year, just like Dontae Green or Oshae Brissett neglected what we needed them to do (be more physical) to try to show they can play outside at the next level. It wasn't about team.

If I were coaching next year's offense, I would go back to the high-low post of the Arinze & Rick years. Kyle plays the low block where he can finish a lob or a dump off. But we need him to be able to get up a decent shot with his back to the basket, or else this offense won't work.

To me, I'd rather see Donnie between the foul line / elbow and the three point line. Let him - not Eddie - be the screener, and you have a more dynamic offense. Donnie is made to shoot that midrange jumper over guards on the switch. He can obviously pop out to the 3 point line, or dive to the basket.

That's how he has to be used, not just stand around the 3 point line waiting for a pass. That's what I'm afraid of from Donnie next year.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Red said tonight that Donnie has grown another inch. He’s up to 6’10, 6’11”.

He also said our projected centers have 7’1” and 7’3” wing spans and Kyle has a 40 plus vertical. It sounded like he’s very comfortable with center.

 

[IthacaMatt]

He also said our projected centers have 7’1” and 7’3” wing spans and Kyle has a 40 plus vertical. It sounded like he’s very comfortable with center.

Except if even one of them gets in foul trouble, that means we are playing either Donnie or Saddiq out of position at center. And if somebody gets hurt, what then?

We would be in the same boat as the last couple years. Red hopefully has learned that the team needs a viable 3rd center in case of foul trouble or injury.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Except if even one of them gets in foul trouble, that means we are playing either Donnie or Saddiq out of position at center. And if somebody gets hurt, what then?

We would be in the same boat as the last couple years. Red hopefully has learned that the team needs a viable 3rd center in case of foul trouble or injury.

They are being picky with whats left in the portal. It has to be the right fit. Those were Red and Alex Klines words tonight.

 

[pearl31]

Yeah, that's kind of troubling. I hope they didn't have to pay much money for a kid like this.

umm cmon man

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

They are being picky with whats left in the portal. It has to be the right fit. Those were Red and Alex Klines words tonight.

Where are they talking?

 

[Cusefan0307]

Where are they talking?

They had a state of the program webcast for some donors/season ticket holders that I was invited to tonight.

 

[IthacaMatt]

umm cmon man

I'm not looking to complain, but to me we need another big body much more than we need a practice guard. It might be big money in this kid's life, and i respect that, but I only hope we didn't overpay for a guy less likely to play than a guy in a position of need (if they learned anything at all as coaches these last 2 years ...)

 

[Niastri]

Here's the problem, Donnie likes the 3 too much. He doesn't play in the low post, like ever. All he gets are put backs or dump offs down low. Nearly 1/3 of his shots were from the 3 point line in limited time last year. He's likely to shoot even more from three this year.

He thinks he's an NBA three, and so that's what he's going to want to do this year, just like Dontae Green or Oshae Brissett neglected what we needed them to do (be more physical) to try to show they can play outside at the next level. It wasn't about team.

If I were coaching next year's offense, I would go back to the high-low post of the Arinze & Rick years. Kyle plays the low block where he can finish a lob or a dump off. But we need him to be able to get up a decent shot with his back to the basket, or else this offense won't work.

To me, I'd rather see Donnie between the foul line / elbow and the three point line. Let him - not Eddie - be the screener, and you have a more dynamic offense. Donnie is made to shoot that midrange jumper over guards on the switch. He can obviously pop out to the 3 point line, or dive to the basket.

That's how he has to be used, not just stand around the 3 point line waiting for a pass. That's what I'm afraid of from Donnie next year.

I agree with most of what you said. Freeman should be involved in all the offensive possessions. I want him posting up often, I especially want him setting screens in the pick and roll. Freeman is a walking mismatch, but he’s a merely good shooter, not a great one. Kingz can be the decoy a lot of possessions spreading the floor while Freeman and George (or Starling) are running the pick and roll.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

They had a state of the program webcast for some donors/season ticket holders that I was invited to tonight.

Oh nice! Any other good nuggets?

 

[Cusefan0307]

Oh nice! Any other good nuggets?

Striving to be nationally relevant. Alex Kline mentioned Houston and UConn(Barf) multiple times. Looked for guys who can play both ways and will play hard.

Height wasn’t everything for centers. They looked at wingspan and athleticism for that position. You can tell they are really excited about George.

Kline watched as many games as possible across all conferences to scout possible transfers last season. They rely on any means possible to find players. AAU coaches, Euro coaches, and tips they receive. Kline sounds really impressive. Reminds me of listening to someone like Bob Myers who was the Warriors GM forever.

 

[bnoro]

I'm not looking to complain, but to me we need another big body much more than we need a practice guard. It might be big money in this kid's life, and i respect that, but I only hope we didn't overpay for a guy less likely to play than a guy in a position of need (if they learned anything at all as coaches these last 2 years ...)

You have no idea what they paid, so why get upset over it? I'm sure it wasn't ridiculous.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

Striving to be nationally relevant. Alex Kline mentioned Houston and UConn(Barf) multiple times. Looked for guys who can play both ways and will play hard.

Height wasn’t everything for centers. They looked at wingspan and athleticism for that position. You can tell they are really excited about George.

Kline watched as many games as possible across all conferences to scout possible transfers last season. They rely on any means possible to find players. AAU coaches, Euro coaches, and tips they receive. Kline sounds really impressive. Reminds me of listening to someone like Bob Myers who was the Warriors GM forever.

Thanks! Good stuff.

 

[atlanticuse]

To me, I'd rather see Donnie between the foul line / elbow and the three point line. Let him - not Eddie - be the screener, and you have a more dynamic offense. Donnie is made to shoot that midrange jumper over guards on the switch. He can obviously pop out to the 3 point line, or dive to the basket.

That's how he has to be used, not just stand around the 3 point line waiting for a pass. That's what I'm afraid of from Donnie next year.

That would require... COACHING.

 

[cuseincincy]

Here's the problem, Donnie likes the 3 too much. He doesn't play in the low post, like ever. All he gets are put backs or dump offs down low. Nearly 1/3 of his shots were from the 3 point line in limited time last year. He's likely to shoot even more from three this year.

He thinks he's an NBA three, and so that's what he's going to want to do this year, just like Dontae Green or Oshae Brissett neglected what we needed them to do (be more physical) to try to show they can play outside at the next level. It wasn't about team.

If I were coaching next year's offense, I would go back to the high-low post of the Arinze & Rick years. Kyle plays the low block where he can finish a lob or a dump off. But we need him to be able to get up a decent shot with his back to the basket, or else this offense won't work.

To me, I'd rather see Donnie between the foul line / elbow and the three point line. Let him - not Eddie - be the screener, and you have a more dynamic offense. Donnie is made to shoot that midrange jumper over guards on the switch. He can obviously pop out to the 3 point line, or dive to the basket.

That's how he has to be used, not just stand around the 3 point line waiting for a pass. That's what I'm afraid of from Donnie next year.

I can't disagree about Donnie drifting too much to the 3 pt line. But a big part of that could have been...where was he going to post up with Eddie taking up the lane? I love the idea of Donnie as the screener, it could lead to a lot of open jump shots because Donnie may need to be doubled. How Donnie develops is basically the season to me.

 

[IthacaMatt]

You have no idea what they paid, so why get upset over it? I'm sure it wasn't ridiculous.

Do you know? All I know is what the kid posted.
I just hope it wasn't a lot paid for a guy who doesn't figure into our plans.