Class of 2025 PG Luke Fennell (Australia) COMMITTED & SIGNED TO SYRACUSE (10/23/24)

[Dcuse]

He might be the freshman I’m most excited about. He and Kiyan could be a really good backcourt as sophomores.

Sophomore…… I swear I’ve heard that term somewhere before.

 

[sutomcat]

He might be the freshman I’m most excited about. He and Kiyan could be a really good backcourt as sophomores.

At the least, these two are the start of a tasty recipe….

 

[skeeter223]

At the least, these two are the start of a tasty recipe….

Clever !

 

[Orangezoo]

one interesting thing in this new era is that while we of course are a top program historically but coming into the year we are a program fallen a ways back and yet we have 3 top 40 level recruits, who at least one or two in the pre portal world would be considered a likely option to start who are almost certainly coming off the bench.

Obviously that is a result of the new normal but it’s at least a positive for now before the lights come on that we can still command enough clout and respect to bring in such a good class and yet they would have to be even better than on paper to start.

 

[sufan59]

one interesting thing in this new era is that while we of course are a top program historically but coming into the year we are a program fallen a ways back and yet we have 3 top 40 level recruits, who at least one or two in the pre portal world would be considered a likely option to start who are almost certainly coming off the bench.

Obviously that is a result of the new normal but it’s at least a positive for now before the lights come on that we can still command enough clout and respect to bring in such a good class and yet they would have to be even better than on paper to start.

The way our offseason has gone shouldn’t be happening to a program coming off of a 14-19 season. I mean this in a very good way. We are navigating the headwinds that exist after a tough season for a program as well as we could have.

 

[Grbac]

Hopefully JJ doesn’t get premium minutes just because he’s the veteran. Kiyan and Luke are going to push for minutes. Play the hot hands.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Hopefully JJ doesn’t get premium minutes just because he’s the veteran. Kiyan and Luke are going to push for minutes. Play the hot hands.

I think JJ will play 8-10 minutes at point. It’s up to Anthony and Fennell to figure out who gets the 15-20 minutes available as the third and fourth guards. Kiyan can play the three against teams who play small.

 

[5OutFred]

I don't see Kiyan playing enough defense to stay on the floor - we thought the same about Choppa heading into last season. "Off the bench bucket getter" is often much better in theory than practice.

I expect a very similar first season to Choppa, actually, with a few big-time performances. It's going to take a year to build up enough reliability and durability to deserve significant minutes in Red's make or break year. And that's okay.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

I don't see Kiyan playing enough defense to stay on the floor - we thought the same about Choppa heading into last season. "Off the bench bucket getter" is often much better in theory than practice.

I expect a very similar first season to Choppa, actually, with a few big-time performances. It's going to take a year to build up enough reliability and durability to deserve significant minutes in Red's make or break year. And that's okay.

I disagree. Kiyan plays and acts very differently from Choppa. Moore was always a showman first. He was fun to watch and I wish it worked out but Kiyan’s been trained to be a pro not a character.

Tying this back to Fennell both are competing at a high level and receiving great training. Having four guards is a nice “problem”.

 

[Cappy3]

I don't see Kiyan playing enough defense to stay on the floor - we thought the same about Choppa heading into last season. "Off the bench bucket getter" is often much better in theory than practice.

I expect a very similar first season to Choppa, actually, with a few big-time performances. It's going to take a year to build up enough reliability and durability to deserve significant minutes in Red's make or break year. And that's okay.

He couldn’t be worse than Starling on defense.

 

[Niastri]

I disagree. Kiyan plays and acts very differently from Choppa. Moore was always a showman first. He was fun to watch and I wish it worked out but Kiyan’s been trained to be a pro not a character.

Tying this back to Fennell both are competing at a high level and receiving great training. Having four guards is a nice “problem”.

There’s going to be a game this year where one of our three starting guards is hurt or in foul trouble, and we’re going to have a collective sigh of relief that we have Anthony and Fennell to fall back on. These things always work out… you can never have too much pitching or bench talent.

 

[longtimefan]

The way our offseason has gone shouldn’t be happening to a program coming off of a 14-19 season. I mean this in a very good way. We are navigating the headwinds that exist after a tough season for a program as well as we could have.

This is the new paradigm--a one-year turnaround. See LVille and Mich (among others) this past season.
The Portal reigns.

 

[sufan59]

This is the new paradigm--a one-year turnaround. See LVille and Mich (among others) this past season.
The Portal reigns.

For sure, though they did coaching changes. We didn’t that’s the point of how unusual this really is.

 

[longtimefan]

For sure, though they did coaching changes. We didn’t that’s the point of how unusual this really is.

But there were instances where the coach didn't change--Maryland and Missouri, for example.

And going in the opposite direction--Kansas, which fell back (preseason #1 to a 7-seed) because they chose badly in the portal.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

But there were instances where the coach didn't change--Maryland and Missouri, for example.

And going in the opposite direction--Kansas, which fell back (preseason #1 to a 7-seed) because they chose badly in the portal.

Did Kansas choose badly in the portal, or did bad players choose them?

 

[721Comstock]

Did Kansas choose badly in the portal, or did bad players choose them?

Yes.

 

[longtimefan]

Did Kansas choose badly in the portal, or did bad players choose them?

Takes 2 to tango. KU decided whom to pay.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I don't see Kiyan playing enough defense to stay on the floor - we thought the same about Choppa heading into last season. "Off the bench bucket getter" is often much better in theory than practice.

I expect a very similar first season to Choppa, actually, with a few big-time performances. It's going to take a year to build up enough reliability and durability to deserve significant minutes in Red's make or break year. And that's okay.

Here’s what the difference is. Moore was asked to come in and make plays and be an impact player because the starters had already put the team in a terrible hole.

Kiyan or Fennel or Sadiq or any of the bench guys should be in the opposite situation. Hopefully We are rolling and playing well and they get on the floor to extend a lead or maintain a lead while a starter gets a quick breather.

It’s just much different. Putting an 18 year old with very little experience out there and saying you need to get us back in the game or stop the bleeding is not what should be happening

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think JJ will play 8-10 minutes at point. It’s up to Anthony and Fennell to figure out who gets the 15-20 minutes available as the third and fourth guards. Kiyan can play the three against teams who play small.

That's too many minutes. Give him 1 TV timeout at PG. He creates nothing for other players.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

That's too many minutes. Give him 1 TV timeout at PG. He creates nothing for other players.

If we had a system where more than one person were moving, there may have been more opportunities for playmaking.

But, yeah—point taken. He probably doesn't have that 'distributor/creator' gene.

 

[CuseIn282xx]

Kiyan or Fennel or Sadiq or any of the bench guys should be in the opposite situation.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Sadiq being the starting center.

 

[DomeHolmes]

I don't see Kiyan playing enough defense to stay on the floor - we thought the same about Choppa heading into last season. "Off the bench bucket getter" is often much better in theory than practice.

I expect a very similar first season to Choppa, actually, with a few big-time performances. It's going to take a year to build up enough reliability and durability to deserve significant minutes in Red's make or break year. And that's okay.

I thought Choppa had a good upside and wish we could’ve kept him, but he is not the same player as Kiyan. All his shots were three pointers and mid range shots.

I don’t recall him ever driving past someone to the basket.

Kiyan is more versatile and a multi level scorer for sure.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Sadiq being the starting center.

He's a rangy kid, very bouncy. He's probably better suited to playing center than Freeman. But that would be a surprise.

 

[Jasoncuse]

Hopefully JJ doesn’t get premium minutes just because he’s the veteran. Kiyan and Luke are going to push for minutes. Play the hot hands.

Hopefully one of them can play defense. Thats going to be a major issue with our G/ types.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Sadiq being the starting center.

That would be pretty wild.

He'd likely need a Rothsteinian growth spurt this summer. Both height and weight.