I'd just like to find out the answers to those questions with him in a Syracuse uniform, not somebody else's..
My thoughts exactly. We can all see things differently on his potential, and what we believe he will be able to contribute here. But, I think we all probably agree that we would like to see those things come to fruition here. And not ending up with another BJ Johnson situation, where we have to watch his game come together for another school, when he would have been a much needed piece to that team in 16-17.
We had to add grad transfer White, and really didn’t have a prototypical Cuse forward on the wing with Lydon, Battle, and White as the only options. Granted, White was solid on the wing, just not quite the height we’re accustomed to there. Lydon was forced into minutes at the 5, with only a struggling Roberson, and the freshman matador on D, our favorite momma’s boy Taurean ‘The Bad Dream’ Thompson as the other guys able to play the 4. I wasn’t able to watch much of this season, so I’m having trouble remembering if Battle got any run at the back of the zone.
I won’t be shocked, or blame Bras if he decides to leave, as Griff is now in the picture, with Woody on the way too. But, if AG has to sit out a year, then I think it would be best for Bras if he sticks it out at least another season, and tries to earn time while he only has to compete against QG, Marek, Woody, and maybe Kadary for minutes. Two freshman, and two guys more suited to play the 4, though it doesn’t make much of a difference when it comes to the forward spots. Still, it’s probably more ideal to be able to pair a shooter with QG, or Marek at times, instead of always having both on the floor together. Depending on how JB wants to run the offense, but usually we’d like to have a threat from deep at forward, especially since Marek is likely going to be running the offense from the high post a good amount of the time. Though, I do think that QG, and MD can work well together with a different game plan on how to score, and use their skills to get more points in the paint than we typically do.
Granted, one, or both of them may become more of a threat from deep, and have shown the ability to do so in their past play, which will decrease the need for a guy like Bras. If Tape is in the picture, Marek is going to be one of the forwards for most of the game, and you gotta figure QG averages at least 25 MPG between both spots. In turn, there may only be around 15 MPG for Bras, Woody, and possibly Kadary at the 3, unless Marek gets some run at the 5 again, which of course we’d like to avoid, and will if Tape decides to join the fun.
Bras should theoretically have the leg up against the freshmen, depending on how well he returns from the injury, so it’s there for the taking. And by his senior year, he can possibly become a starter with Buddy, Marek, and maybe QG gone. Griffin could end up sliding to the 2 when Buddy leaves, so the 3 spot would open up for someone out of Bras, Woody, QG, probably/hopefully Benny, and the small chance again with Kadary. And you never know who is still around year to year with how CBB seems to work these days. Though, with Dior coming in 2022, and Girard being a senior then, they are likely our starting backcourt, so AG probably continues starting at the 3. Still, we may only have Woody, Benny, Alan, and QG around battling with him for the time. He will have the opportunity here to play, as long as he shows JB that it’s in our best interest to do so.
I really hope he bets on himself, and sticks it out here, but I understand if he thinks it’s in his best interest to go somewhere else. We will obviously survive either way, but it would be nice to get back to the days of having a senior wing fully developed, and helping to the lead the way as the guys in the past did like CJ, Kris Jo, Wallace, Burgan, and Shumpert. I’m not saying Bras will end up as good as these guys, but I think the possibility of having a similar leap in his senior season is definitely worth the roster spot.
