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Message: [QUOTE="Flacusian, post: 680984, member: 264"] It would be awesome to have Newton continue the flow of talent from Neumann-Goretti to the Syracuse Basketball program. Scoop and Rick were two fantastic contributors to the program, Rick for 4 years and Scoop for 5. The importance of players like Scoop and Rick to the stability of the program cannot be overstated enough. The template for 5 star players has become increasingly morphing towards "one and done" and while Syracuse has been obtaining players who are just under the very top echelon of High School players and they have wisely gone toward a "two and done" strategy with players such as MCW and Dion Waiters I wonder if we aren't on the precipice of that changing. The "2 and done" has allowed them time to learn the subtle nuances of Jimmy B's instantaneously responsive Active Zone and then provided them with the chance to let it rip the 2nd year. While there are players who are ready to contribute right away at the NBA level, most players would benefit from extra time at the college level in that they can work on their game, mature physically, mentally and emotionally so they might improve themselves to be more NBA ready. One thing that I've heard more than once from former players is their extolling the joy of the College experience and the Syracuse Basketball "family" experience that is a result of a close knit structure of coaches, players, trainers, and the college community at Syracuse. It would seem that intangibles such as those might help in attracting certain players who while their ultimate aim is to play in the NBA are also looking to garner as much as possible in all areas during their time at the collegiate level. I don't think it would be a stretch to assume that there are many players who may feel that they can someday play in the NBA but are aware that they do need to develop somewhat before they try to make that transition. It would seem that there is a qualitative difference in say, the Kentucky basketball experience from the standpoint of a player and the Syracuse experience. Kentucky has become inarguable "one and done" collegiate institution and there is certainly a different vibe inside of a program which is hard wired for a high percentage of players being on the team for only one season. There is certainly more fanfare and publicity surrounding the kids who choose Kentucky and with it the expectation to perform at a high level from day one. Coach Calipari has demonstrated that a Championship can be won utilizing it's template but it remains to be seen if that level of success is sustainable . The sharp contrast between the 11-12 team and the 12-13 team bears this out. I suppose there are differences from the perspective of the college basketball fan too. The game of College Basketball has changed so much over the past 25 years that it is hardly recognizable. If you are a Kentucky fan you become enamored with a short lived, compacted one season stand with your favorite player or players. In order to stretch out the duration of the fan/ player love affair you could start to include the recruitment experience and the NBA draft experience as part of the Kentucky Basketball player career. It's become a harsh reality that most great players have a very short collegiate shelf life. It's a shame but it is what it is. But because of all that, it makes players like Scoop and Rick all that more special. Watching them develop and hone their craft while seemingly getting to know them a little better over the course of 4 or 5 years has a special allure to it. It's a throwback to the way it used to be. Maybe that's why I like it so much. It also lends itself to the belief that experience, teamwork, and the esprit d' corp of a group of kids who have been through a lot together can trump superior talent. I don't rule out the fact that being a Syracuse Basketball fanatic has biased my perception but I really like the manner in which JB blends the 3 and 4 year "program" type players with the others who have a more direct NBA trajectory. It's also nice that he has managed to get 2 years out of the kids who ended up being high 1st rounders. But... maybe I'll change my tune when the likes of McCullough and perhaps several others who are going to be wearing Orange in the near future are only wearing Orange for 1 year. Perhaps that's why I like spending so much time on the recruiting board... gotta stretch that Chris McCullough experience out to make it a 4 year gig! [/QUOTE]

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