Class of 2023 PF Ibrahim Souare (Guinea / AZ) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/6/25)

[M2MPrinciples]

Just hope there’s a starting-caliber C on the way who can actually block shots. Overall I’m more optimistic than not on the haul, but the pieces have to fit.

 

[Niastri]

Turnover machine I don’t see… he’s young and got good experience and is absolutely an end of the rotation guy vs a starters minutes guy.

At least vs the Arizona kid he’s got a lot of experience this past year to build on where the Arizona kid is basically a true freshman from a game experience standpoint.

17% TO vs 9% usage and only 2.4% assists. Turnover machine was over stating things, but you don’t want him doing anything with the ball but dunking or handing off to the point after a rebound.

If he’s stuck behind Freeman, Kyle, and White for our bigger man minutes, I’m fine with him. I just hope we get somebody else who can play center, as well. We’re setting ourselves up to be severely undersized if we have any more injuries next season.

 

[Sherman20]

The guy who rejected us for three times already?

Epppphhh him.

Nobody would remotely care if he was from anywhere besides CNY

Come on. I get that you feel we don’t need Ballard with Kyle and the Ga Tech guy in the fold. But he’s a top 75 player in the portal, one of the best centers available, with great size and defensive stats and some offensive abilities. Of course he’d help us. No need to minimize what he’d bring, even if you don’t think we don’t need to land him to be good.

 

[sweetpea]

Mike Woodson as a bench advisor to Red. He’s still getting paid by Indiana next year and has a great relationship with Carmelo

Good lord no! Who next, Martelli, Greenberg? Why do some of you keep pushing this crap. Red very well may need help, but this mentoring crap is ridiculous.

 

[Sherman20]

'Coveted'?

BTW, by definition, they're journeymen. Leaving a situation for one they hope is better.

Not looking to flame anyone, but if the freshmen aren't contributors of significance, we're not making it to the Sweet 16 based on the transfers..

Nait George is a top 50 transfer, if not higher. Kingz will probably be this . Most players in college are journeyman these days. Is that meant to be disparaging?

As for the freshman, you can expect Luke Fennel, Kiyan and Sadiq White to all be contributors this season but not be starters.

 

[Idiocuse22&]

People have to understand we literally have 2 players coming back. TWO. Then 4 freshman. Not every addition is going to be a sexy add. This is a good add. He’s only going to be a Sophmore. A position of need, good potential, had some good games this year and is still raw. He’s athletic and can run like a deer for his size. We need to fill out the roster. Not every addition is going to be an instant starter and averaging 10+ ppg at their last schools

Exactly, It is clear that they are focusing on athleticism, defensive speed/effort, all around hustle and attitude.
Also, so far all our adds rebound and block shots with authority with the exception maybe being Kingz in regards to rebounding.
Our new PG even averaged over four Rebs good for 3rd on SU last year and would have been 2nd in blocked shots only 1 behind our leader this past year.

Yes, a good add and the potential is there to be great.
Our current team with the incoming Freshman beats last years team 8 times out of 10...and I dont think I am climbing very far out on a limb saying that.
Looking back now...It is so glaringly obvious that our defense was going to be terrible. Literally 1 player was adequate, Taylor then maybe Cuffe...Wow.

 

[Ottoman]

I will take this guy on my 3 deep all day. He looks like a very solid development player (if that exists anymore). I liked Petar - but Ibrahim is on another planet athletically.

 

[Cusefan69]

Just hope there’s a starting-caliber C on the way who can actually block shots. Overall I’m more optimistic than not on the haul, but the pieces have to fit.

I believe Dasher indicated that our GM and HC believe the pieces fit. Who is the starting center they should be adding? Who is that difference maker that wants to join? I am not saying I don't want that but who is it? Souare is filling a bench depth role and has a few skills that can be developed.

 

[DomeHolmes]

I just went back and checked Georgia Tech‘s last 14 games because a few posters feel that these are “marginal” pick ups from a “bad ACC team”

Since Souare became a starter, Georgia Tech went 9-5, including victories on the road at Louisville and Vs Clemson and Pitt. We were curb stomped by those three teams.

Since both were starters, I have to assume both had something to do with those big wins. I don’t see the reason for the pessimism, but I do see a reason to be “cautiously optimistic”.

 

[newmexicuse]

Just saw the video. He is obviously very athletic. On O - he runs the floor very well and his stroke was better than what I was expecting when he is open and takes his time. On D he is a passing lane disrupter.

The big omission or possibly the big negative, is that I saw no evidence that he can play the 5 defensively. He looked much more like a four to me.

I like taking this kid, but I do not see where it solves the need for a legitimate C1 or C2 who can defend the paint. We still need to add another piece IMHO unless there is more that the videos didnt show.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Just saw the video. He is obviously very athletic. On O - he runs the floor very well and his stroke was better than what I was expecting when he is open and takes his time. On D he is a passing lane disrupter.

The big omission or possibly the big negative, is that I saw no evidence that he can play the 5 defensively. He looked much more like a four to me.

I like taking this kid, but I do not see where it solves the need for a legitimate C1 or C2 who can defend the paint. We still need to add another piece IMHO unless there is more that the videos didnt show.

I agree we need another center. Whether it be for depth or size or both. It is a bigger need than a shooter to me. For the 3/stretch 4 we have both Donnie and Kingz who can play along side a PF and Center. (plus Womack and Kiyan) We now have three power forwards, but only one center, and one “emergency“ center.

so for me a big, fairly mobile 5 would be a priority. (Scorer optional)

Also I think Kiyan may play some small ball three with JJ at two and Nait at pg simply for the reason that there is a log jam at the 2, and I do not see a scenario where Carmelo Anthony’s kid comes to Syracuse, Carmelo is in the stands, and his kid does not play at least 15 minutes.

 

[50YRsofCuse]

Just saw the video. He is obviously very athletic. On O - he runs the floor very well and his stroke was better than what I was expecting when he is open and takes his time. On D he is a passing lane disrupter.

The big omission or possibly the big negative, is that I saw no evidence that he can play the 5 defensively. He looked much more like a four to me.

I like taking this kid, but I do not see where it solves the need for a legitimate C1 or C2 who can defend the paint. We still need to add another piece IMHO unless there is more that the videos didnt show.

Believe that the Center position is most likely filled with the two transfers that we have. I understand your perception of the need but do not believe that the coaches will go for a third Center. The next need will be for a forward that can score and rebound.

We have 2 and 1/2 ball handlers (George, Fennel, Starling), 2-3 players that can play off guard (Starling, Kingz, Anthony), two promising big forwards (Freeman, White), two small forwards (Kingz, Womack) and two centers (Kyle, Soare). We need an experienced forward who can play either SF or PF and maybe a little at C.

 

[RyanCuse44]

Just hope there’s a starting-caliber C on the way who can actually block shots. Overall I’m more optimistic than not on the haul, but the pieces have to fit.

I'm more worried about the coaching part.

 

[Niastri]

I explained it as being people unhappy in the position that they're in, hoping for a better situation.

Besides, you can pick and choose as much as you want. Yes, Rutgers sucked despite their supposedly superior freshman class, but there have been plenty of frosh this year who led their teams to the tournament and also for deep runs. Several of whom will head to the League next year. We're probably not even sniffing the tournament next year if our frosh don't make a difference. You know, like Rutgers.

Our freshman are likely to be in the rotation. As of right now, White is the first forward off the bench, and Anthony is backing up Starling, and maybe Kingz as well. Fennell will be our only PG besides George. Only Womack is likely to be deep depth, and that depends on recruiting over him, by getting Deng or another SF.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

houston plays a very ugly brand of basketball predicated on rabid defense and aggression (which allows them to get away with shorter players)

is that what we're going for here??

im not seeing that

The UConn women played more physical defense last night than SU did all last year

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Mike Woodson as a bench advisor to Red. He’s still getting paid by Indiana next year and has a great relationship with Carmelo

Publicly declaring you have no faith in your head coach is not a good strategy.

 

[CardiacCuse]

That ugly brand of basketball is in the national championship game.

But whether you like that style player or not, they have an identity. What's ours?

im not following you. houston has an identity. syracuse does not. and?

syracuse isnt copying houston and if they tried ...it wouldnt work.

they tried copying nc state with lampkin and that didnt exactly come up roses, did it?

going small at center isnt going to turn syracuse into houston and ...it isnt going to give the orange any kind of identity worth having, either.

 

[RF2044]

Come on. I get that you feel we don’t need Ballard with Kyle and the Ga Tech guy in the fold. But he’s a top 75 player in the portal, one of the best centers available, with great size and defensive stats and some offensive abilities. Of course he’d help us. No need to minimize what he’d bring, even if you don’t think we don’t need to land him to be good.

No, I feel that we don't need to chase a guy for a fourth time who's showed limited inclination to come here multiple times in the past.

And I reiterate -- nobody would even bring him up if it weren't for the original CNY ties.

 

[RF2044]

im not following you. houston has an identity. syracuse does not. and?

syracuse isnt copying houston and if they tried ...it wouldnt work.

they tried copying nc state with lampkin and that didnt exactly come up roses, did it?

going small at center isnt going to turn syracuse into houston and ...it isnt going to give the orange any kind of identity worth having, either.

What aren't you following?

You don't need 7 footers to field a solid interior -- you can win with 6-9 sized guys if they can play.

Nobody said "going small at center" is a strategic plan, or that we're actively trying to "copy" anyone. But this is where we are, due to how the dominoes toppled.

You're the one who introduced the topic of not wanting to emulate Houston, because to you it is "ugly basketball." I would rather win, and worry less about aesthetics, but that's just me. I just pointed out that Houston is an example of teams not needing a bunch of 6-11+ guys to play effective basketball.

 

[Orangezoo]

Houston has 4 guys that shoot 40 percent.

You think that’s a good comparison to what we have next year?

No - I was just pointing out the facts around undersized bigs. Having enough shooters is definitely a big part of the equation

Also Houston doesn’t put those 4 shooters on the floor together frequently and often play two non shooters on the floor together.

Back to us we have one guy in Kingz over 40 and another it seems in Deng(coming )that’s high 30s. Two frosh who can shoot it but no idea where they land pct wise. Plus then Donnie, JJ, Nait and Fennell who are capable from out there in spots but doubtful or unknown on getting anything near 40 pct.

 

[721Comstock]

What aren't you following?

You don't need 7 footers to field a solid interior -- you can win with 6-9 sized guys if they can play.

Nobody said "going small at center" is a strategic plan. But this is where we are, due to how the dominoes toppled.

Following now?

You're the one who introduced the topic of not wanting to emulate Houston, because to you it is "ugly basketball." I would rather win, and worry less about aesthetics, but that's just me.

144% THIS.

What may have been literally our best *TEAM* in the past 15 years,
The Wes Johnson “Shut it Down” crew -
Had 2 C’s that were both generously listed at 6’9”.

You don’t need a 7’ dude in the middle to play winning hoops.

In retrospect, that team was really ahead of it’s time:
A bully at C, surrounded by 4 guys who could hit 3’s at near or over 40%.

 

[Orangezoo]

This kid, Kyle, Deng(?), Donnie, Sadiq, Kingz, Womack, Kiyan, JJ, Nait, Fennell - that’s 11. Adding another center ahead of this kid on the depth chart means this new kid drops to 11th/12th in the pecking order.

I can’t imagine this kid has any desire to stay on board nor would another productive or ready to contribute center want to be either if competing for staying off the end of the bench. Just don’t see anything but depth/development that would be added beyond Deng at this point.

 

[Orangezoo]

What aren't you following?

You don't need 7 footers to field a solid interior -- you can win with 6-9 sized guys if they can play.

Nobody said "going small at center" is a strategic plan, or that we're actively trying to "copy" anyone. But this is where we are, due to how the dominoes toppled.

You're the one who introduced the topic of not wanting to emulate Houston, because to you it is "ugly basketball." I would rather win, and worry less about aesthetics, but that's just me. I just pointed out that Houston is an example of teams not needing a bunch of 6-11+ guys to play effective basketball.

Unless we are running a zone, finding a productive two way 7 footer at the 5 who isn’t going to be a liability in screening action is an expensive endeavor with a short list. Hopefully we can be able to pull such players when available
who are good fits.

In the meantime you need guys who defend the rim and play with a high motor to hit the glass and fill the lane.

I really don’t think there would be as much heartburn with going into the year without our traditional 7 footer or two if not for questions around Reds ability as a coach. That weighs on pretty much everyone and no matter the roster make up, it all falls on him now to grow into the role more and show he has what it takes to build, develop and captain a winning tournament stalwart and top 25 program.

 

[kingtidge]

Still plenty of time in the Portal...

Got to have bodies for practice.

If that is us done at the C position, there will be serious questions asked.

 

[M2MPrinciples]

Mike Woodson as a bench advisor to Red. He’s still getting paid by Indiana next year and has a great relationship with Carmelo

Woodson's coaching philosophy is outdated by a good 30 years. He should not be anywhere near a program with aspirations of being taken seriously.