Potential 2025-26 Roster

[RF2044]

When Moore shot well he was still taken out of games early. He's a freshman. The amount of freshman that struggle in year one is quite high. He didn't get the same benefit of doubt as others.

And given your last sentence, his camp was not pleased with the way he got jerked around, the inconsistent playing time, etc. And that they are also aware that another shooting guard is on the way, with a famous last name, which could further block the path to PT next year.

 

[Nicknack]

When Moore shot well he was still taken out of games early. He's a freshman. The amount of freshman that struggle in year one is quite high. He didn't get the same benefit of doubt as others.

Fair enough. I don't remember that... it seems like years ago when he actually made a shot. In any case, too bad it appears he's leaving because I think he will end up being a solid player and would be nice to have him back.

 

[Nicknack]

And given your last sentence, his camp was not pleased with the way he got jerked around, the inconsistent playing time, etc. And that they are also aware that another shooting guard is on the way, with a famous last name, which could further block the path to PT next year.

Yeah, good point about Kiyan coming in. I'm sure Red will feel some pressure to give the young man a lot of minutes. I just hope he produces or things could get pretty uncomfortable for all parties involved.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Fair enough. I don't remember that... it seems like years ago when he actually made a shot. In any case, too bad it appears he's leaving because I think he will end up being a solid player and would be nice to have him back.

He started off hot against BC. He got the hook and never could get back in. The same against Cal. He was injured shortly after.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Yeah, I'm with you in theory but at this point, what choice does Red have? We have so many holes that have to be filled. He's going to have to take a chance on several new guys. I think getting Donnie back will be huge for Red. At least that would be one known entity that he can rely on to produce.

I think this is one of the keystones needed for next year. I think it would also give the fanbase a bit of hope that maybe we can turn this ship around. That and adding some significant portal pieces, of course!

 

[SUFaninNJ]

And given your last sentence, his camp was not pleased with the way he got jerked around, the inconsistent playing time, etc. And that they are also aware that another shooting guard is on the way, with a famous last name, which could further block the path to PT next year.

Is Kiyan a pure 2 or could he play the 3 as well?

 

[Scooch]

This isn’t factual and is just my gut feel. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bell return. I’d put it at 50/50.

If we actually build a coherent roster then Bell can be a valuable contributor. Far more so than Starling IMHO.

 

[Nicknack]

He started off hot against BC. He got the hook and never could get back in. The same against Cal. He was injured shortly after.

Yeah, and with Carlos getting a lot of minutes again (36 min a game over the last 6), it's tough for Moore to find many minutes (even if he wasn't injured) cuz you know JJ is going to get his.

 

[PauliePeppas]

Just finished catching up with this thread. A few thoughts...

- What exactly is Moore (and camp) not happy with? How about his inability to make a shot?

- I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd like Bell back. In the role that he's in now, it works. However, he's probably not happy with it and why he will leave. Oh well.

- I just don't see JJ working well for us next year. Could he if he accepted a lesser role? Maybe but I'm not sure I would want a guy who is so inefficient back. Bell works in a reduced role. I don't see JJ working like that - he's a volume shooter. I'd rather Cuffe get his minutes.

- If we can't hang on to Donnie, that signals a larger problem for us. He needs to return.

Spot on

 

[cuseincincy]

Is Kiyan a pure 2 or could he play the 3 as well?

From the little I've seen (2 games on TV + highlights) Kiyan looks like he could be like some of the classic Syracuse 2/3's like Raf Addison, Jason Cipolla, Elijah Hughes, or Michael Gbinije. A little different as players but I'd take any of them again. Kiyan may be more 2 than 3 but SU has seen many 2's play 3 on defense including all of those I mentioned plus others like fellow legacies like Andy Rautins and Buddy. I just hope he can find a role early even if it most likely is not a lead role initially.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

This isn’t factual and is just my gut feel. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bell return. I’d put it at 50/50.

I like Bell and think he could be a piece of the puzzle next year. He seemed to calm down a lot once he started coming off the bench.

He is a smart kid and is in the Maxwell School. He may want that Maxwell degree for his life after basketball, so, like you I am just conjecturing, he could conceivably want to stay.

Some posters have claimed that he has a bad attitude but I have never seen it. He clearly gets frustrated with himself when his shots aren’t falling, but we had a couple of guys on last years team with seriously bad attitudes and Chris isn’t even on the same planet as them.

Now, we all know his weaknesses. He is a poor rebounder and a poor defender and that is not likely to change at this point in his career. He does hustle back and gets those occasional blocked shots, so he isn’t dogging it on the court. He has been a spark off the bench and opponents have to account for him. Defenders don’t sag off of him and that helps open up the court for others.

Chris has to know that he wouldn’t start and his NIL$ would drop, but if he wants to return and the GM can find a place for him with the extra schollies next year, I’m fine with that. If Red wants a complete overhaul or if Chris wants to make a new start for himself, well, that is a whole different matter and I wish him well.

 

[Oakland]

I like Bell and think he could be a piece of the puzzle next year. He seemed to calm down a lot once he started coming off the bench.

He is a smart kid and is in the Maxwell School. He may want that Maxwell degree for his life after basketball, so, like you I am just conjecturing, he could conceivably want to stay.

Some posters have claimed that he has a bad attitude but I have never seen it. He clearly gets frustrated with himself when his shots aren’t falling, but we had a couple of guys on last years team with seriously bad attitudes and Chris isn’t even on the same planet as them.

Now, we all know his weaknesses. He is a poor rebounder and a poor defender and that is not likely to change at this point in his career. He does hustle back and gets those occasional blocked shots, so he isn’t dogging it on the court. He has been a spark off the bench and opponents have to account for him. Defenders don’t sag off of him and that helps open up the court for others.

Chris has to know that he wouldn’t start and his NIL$ would drop, but if he wants to return and the GM can find a place for him with the extra schollies next year, I’m fine with that. If Red wants a complete overhaul or if Chris wants to make a new start for himself, well, that is a whole different matter and I wish him well.

I hope Bell is back and starts at least one game, for old times sake, because he might be the last old time HS recruit that starts all four years for us - the last or the dinosaurs after the comet hit (so to speak).

 

[Scott11]

I don’t think the guys I want to come back and the guys that are coming back are going to match up.

If the only guy that returns is Freeman, I’d be good with that. Though I see roles for Cuffe and JJ. But I don’t think JJ would accept a significantly reduced roll.

I don’t think Moore and Bell want to come back, so I’m assuming they are gone. Maestro is probably going to come back but. Ugh. He not as good as Jimmy Jr, who wasn’t ACC caliber. Petar just isn’t athletic enough for my taste.

We need an entire roster almost. Fennell really is the lynchpin of how the staff should attack the portal.

Kiyan shouldn’t be a starter at the 2.

I’d like to see a roster something like this, but probably needs a portal shooter and I’m not sure Fennell starts.

PG: Portal/Fennell
2G: Fennell/Kiyan/Cuffe
SF: Portal/White/Womack
PF: Freeman/White/portal
C: Portal/Portal/Freeman

But my point it we need at least 6 portal players and I think at least three of them need to be veterans who can start. And maestro is probably in the mix there, but he’s an emergency break glass guy for me unless he really improved.

JJ is probably in there too, as I think he wants to come back. Will be a tough manage for the staff.

Disagree on Petar. He played hard every minute he was on the court. Unlike Jimmy he didn't force bad shots nor was he a traffic cone on defense. There is a real value to having a program guy on the roster like Petar who the coach can always count on for instant energy. Plus he quietly has become a better shooter and I can see him improving from the outside and becoming a more valuable offensive player. When he committed he and the staff agreed that he would be patient and be worked into the rotation. Frankly I think he got more time than he and the staff anticipated. I'd happily welcome him back.

 

[cusefan88]

Disagree on Petar. He played hard every minute he was on the court. Unlike Jimmy he didn't force bad shots nor was he a traffic cone on defense. There is a real value to having a program guy on the roster like Petar who the coach can always count on for instant energy. Plus he quietly has become a better shooter and I can see him improving from the outside and becoming a more valuable offensive player. When he committed he and the staff agreed that he would be patient and be worked into the rotation. Frankly I think he got more time than he and the staff anticipated. I'd happily welcome him back.

Petar is exactly the dependable four-year player the program has thrived with. He will be an excellent bench piece and could start his junior/senior year.

 

[Nicknack]

I have to admit, I haven't been a big fan of Petar this year. I've thought of him as a poor man's Marek Dolezaj. However, after just looking back at his stats from this year, that's not fair. He actually compares very well to Marek's freshman year. If he can continue to produce as he gets more minutes, I can see him potentially being a great program guy to have off the bench.

 

[Sbucketball]

Petar is exactly the dependable four-year player the program has thrived with. He will be an excellent bench piece and could start his junior/senior year.

I like him as a program guy off the bench, but if he's starting, we're not where I want us to be.

 

[AcAndAc]

From the little I've seen (2 games on TV + highlights) Kiyan looks like he could be like some of the classic Syracuse 2/3's like Raf Addison, Jason Cipolla, Elijah Hughes, or Michael Gbinije. A little different as players but I'd take any of them again. Kiyan may be more 2 than 3 but SU has seen many 2's play 3 on defense including all of those I mentioned plus others like fellow legacies like Andy Rautins and Buddy. I just hope he can find a role early even if it most likely is not a lead role initially.

I thought Raf was 6'8" officially. I think he was allowed to shrink to 6'7" his senior year.

Andre Hawkins was the biggest shrinker from FR to SR... 6'8" to 6'5". I guess once he turned 21, he no longer needed the height for his Fake I.D. to work...

 

[Giants1973]

Steve Thompson was 6'4 as a freshman and 6'2 as a senior