Class of 2016 SG/SF Andrew White (VA; Grad Transfer from Nebraska)

[Day2]

That reasoning threw me also. Don't really understand what being a highly touted recruit means when you get to your senior year.

Because that's what got him the starting role in the first place.

 

[HoustonCuse]

I know memes are funny and all but curious as to your underlying thoughts on why its good for him to come here and not start

Playing big minutes at Syracuse vs starting at Nebraska? How is that even a discussion as far as exposure, coaching, experience, the entire 9 yards. There is no doubt he is in better position for his future at SU compared to Neb, even if he comes off the bench here. Not starting doesn't mean he won't play 30 mpg. And he'll play in front of a much bigger audience (TV) on a much stage.

 

[Dave85]

Playing big minutes at Syracuse vs starting at Nebraska? How is that even a discussion as far as exposure, coaching, experience, the entire 9 yards. There is no doubt he is in better position for his future at SU compared to Neb, even if he comes off the bench here. Not starting doesn't mean he won't play 30 mpg. And he'll play in front of a much bigger audience (TV) on a much stage.

I'm envisioning a game winning shot against Duke would help his NBA draft prospects.

 

[orangenirvana]

Since everyone is doing it, I'm going with:

Gillon
Battle
White
Roberson
DC

Lydon first off the bench for Roberson. Followed by Chukwu and Howard to sub out DC and Gillon/Battle.

Lydon will lead the team in minutes played.

Agree with this.

People have really short memories.

Yes, Roberson was huge on our Final Four run by averaging nearly 12 boards per game in the Tourney. But he's also the same player whom Boeheim said "If I had anyone else, he wouldn't play."

I get the Senior loyalty thing. But it's not an automatic. In fact, there have been a few players over recent history that did not start as Seniors (a couple of which despite having started the majority of games the previous year).

*Billy Celuck
Jeremy McNeil
Matt Gorman
*Josh Wright
Kristof Ongenaet (JUCO)
James Southerland (didn't start until Coleman went down with injury)
Baye Keita

Lydon, meanwhile, could have easily been a first-round pick last June if he had decided to leave. He did Boeheim and the program a favor by staying. Boeheim is not going to reward that decision by putting him on the bench to start games. Lydon has National POY potential and barring an injury this is going to be his final season. HE'S GOING TO START.

IMO Roberson has the perfect personality to handle going from starter to 6th man. He won't throw a chair at Boeheim in the locker room or fight teammates in practice. And coming off the bench is generally less pressure than starting the game. Maybe lessen the nerves. As a result I would expect him to respond extremely well to such a role.

 

[OrangeDW]

Huh? Dc never started a game until this pat year and he played borderline starter minutes. What does being a highly touted recruit have to do with anything at this point in dc's career?

Many were "token starts" where he was quickly yanked, but Coleman was a starter as a freshman.

 

[Ryand877]

People have really short memories.

Yes, Roberson was huge on our Final Four run by averaging nearly 12 boards per game in the Tourney. But he's also the same player whom Boeheim said "If I had anyone else, he wouldn't play."

I get the Senior loyalty thing. But it's not an automatic. In fact, there have been a few players over recent history that did not start as Seniors (a couple of which despite having started the majority of games the previous year).

*Billy Celuck
Jeremy McNeil
Matt Gorman
*Josh Wright
Kristof Ongenaet (JUCO)
James Southerland (didn't start until Coleman went down with injury)
Baye Keita

Lydon, meanwhile, could have easily been a first-round pick last June if he had decided to leave. He did Boeheim and the program a favor by staying. Boeheim is not going to reward that decision by putting him on the bench to start games. Lydon has National POY potential and barring an injury this is going to be his final season. HE'S GOING TO START.

IMO Roberson has the perfect personality to handle going from starter to 6th man. He won't throw a chair at Boeheim in the locker room or fight teammates in practice. And coming off the bench is generally less pressure than starting the game. Maybe lessen the nerves. As a result I would expect him to respond extremely well to such a role.

Starting and playing more minutes/playing at the end of games are not the same thing. Lydon will play more minutes than Roberson and will be in at the end of tight games. Last year Lydon did a great job coming off the bench. Speaking of short memories, Dion Waiters came off the bench in 2012, and was a NBA lottery pick. He's doing okay for himself. If Roberson "isn't plugged in " to start the season, this could change quickly. In my opinion, Roberson starts , at least at the beginning of the season. He will have a shorter leash this year, however. I'm just stoked about the potential of the team this year. Will be a fun year!

 

[Dave85]

People have really short memories.

Yes, Roberson was huge on our Final Four run by averaging nearly 12 boards per game in the Tourney. But he's also the same player whom Boeheim said "If I had anyone else, he wouldn't play."

I didn't forget. I thought about the remark every time I did a lineup. The thing is, when Roberson is in beast mode he's so good!

 

[jgeorge322]

Because that's what got him the starting role in the first place.

Hey boss, its either that or the fact we didnt have a center other than him last year.

 

[jgeorge322]

Many were "token starts" where he was quickly yanked, but Coleman was a starter as a freshman.

Good clarification there dw but i think were beyond token start w dc right now

 

[Dave85]

IMO Roberson has the perfect personality to handle going from starter to 6th man. He won't throw a chair at Boeheim in the locker room or fight teammates in practice. And coming off the bench is generally less pressure than starting the game. Maybe lessen the nerves. As a result I would expect him to respond extremely well to such a role.

I really like this comment. I agree with your reasoning. It may work out better for him.

 

[reedny]

No doubt Gillon was more of what we needed than Mullins at guard and White is a better fit as a shooter who will play as a 2/3 (offense/defense) than Mystery Man who would have been a stretch 4 like Lydon on a team that already has a bunch of guys to play at the 4/5 spots.

It really is amazing how loaded our frontcourt is after last season where we were scraping bye and playing guards on the front line quite often.

For sure. Don't sleep on our younger bigs. Here are some of Devo's quotes in the PS -- from a pickup game facing the (soph/frosh/soph) front line of Lydon (SF), TT (PF) and Chukwu (C):

I just think the length and athleticism, especially when (Taurean) Thompson came in with Paschal (Chukwu) it's one of the biggest and most athletic teams I've seen in a while.

Thompson has some of the most talent I've seen a big freshman come in with," Devendorf said. "He can dribble it, he can shoot it. Once he figures out how good he is, he'll be special.

"The first time I played with him [7/2 Chukwu], I got by the defender, and I saw him, Thompson and Tyler (Lydon) down low," Devendorf said. "Man. That right there, his presence is intimidating. He's agile enough to move and block shots. ... He's still developing on offense.

Boeheim's Army members rave about Syracuse guards Frank Howard and Tyus Battle

 

[Cusefan0307]

Thompson is the Lydon replacement after this year.

 

[Day2]

Hey boss, its either that or the fact we didnt have a center other than him last year.

And what about the other two years, when apparently you weren't following Syracuse basketball?

 

[reedny]

You sure about that, chief?

DC started 20 games in 2012-13 as a freshman before his knees started having issues.
http://cuse.com/documents/2013/6/18/FINAL.pdf?id=7689 (page 21)

DC [Edit] started 12 games in 2013-14
http://cuse.com/documents/2014/5/14//FINAL2014.pdf?id=8330 (page 14)

DC Out 2014-15 recovering from surgery

DC started every game 2015-16
http://cuse.com/documents/2016/4/14//FinalNotes16.pdf?id=9537

 

[Dave85]

DC started 20 games in 2012-13 as a freshman before his knees started having issues.
http://cuse.com/documents/2013/6/18/FINAL.pdf?id=7689 (page 21)

DC didn't start in 2013-14 (playing injured, Christmas started at C)
http://cuse.com/documents/2014/5/14//FINAL2014.pdf?id=8330 (page 14)

DC Out 2014-15 recovering from surgery

DC started every game 2015-16
http://cuse.com/documents/2016/4/14//FinalNotes16.pdf?id=9537

Every time I hear the word "knees" and DC together my own knees give me a shot of pain.

 

[Cusefan0307]

DC started 20 games in 2012-13 as a freshman before his knees started having issues.
http://cuse.com/documents/2013/6/18/FINAL.pdf?id=7689 (page 21)

DC didn't start in 2013-14 (playing injured, Christmas started at C)
http://cuse.com/documents/2014/5/14//FINAL2014.pdf?id=8330 (page 14)

DC Out 2014-15 recovering from surgery

DC started every game 2015-16
http://cuse.com/documents/2016/4/14//FinalNotes16.pdf?id=9537

DC started the first few games of 13-14.

Grant moved to the starting lineup after the Nova game at the dome. That was pretty much the end of DC's season. He played sparingly off the bench against V. Tech after that.

 

[reedny]

DC started the first few games of 13-14.

Grant moved to the starting lineup after the Nova game at the dome. That was pretty much the end of DC's season. He played sparingly off the bench against V. Tech after that.

Not sure about that. Christmas (asterisk) started every game, unless he was playing forward and DC was C. DC only played 13 games. See page 14.
http://cuse.com/documents/2014/5/14//FINAL2014.pdf?id=8330

Christmas Game-by-Game 2013-14 Opponent MP FG 3PT FT REB A T B S TP CORNELL* 27 4-5 0-0 4-5 4 2 1 0 1 1 12 FORDHAM* 18 1-2 0-0 3-4 3 4 2 0 1 1 5 COLGATE* 15 1-1 0-0 0-0 7 3 1 0 1 1 2 ST. FRANCIS BROOKLYN* 22 0-1 0-0 0-0 3 3 0 0 2 0 0 vs. Minnesota* 22 3-4 0-0 0-0 4 3 0 0 2 0 6 vs. California* 18 1-3 0-0 2-2 2 4 0 1 0 0 4 vs. Baylor* 31 3-3 0-0 1-1 5 3 1 2 0 1 7 INDIANA* 24 1-2 0-0 1-2 4 4 0 2 3 1 3 BINGHAMTON* 10 1-1 0-0 1-2 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 at St. John’s* 20 3-3 0-0 2-2 3 4 1 0 2 0 8 HIGH POINT* 20 2-2 0-0 2-4 3 1 1 1 2 0 6 VILLANOVA* 15 1-1 0-0 1-2 3 2 0 2 0 0 3 EASTERN MICHIGAN* 22 7-8 0-0 1-2 3 3 0 1 2 1 15 MIAMI* 28 3-5 0-0 2-2 7 1 0 1 1 0 8 at Virginia Tech* 10 1-1 0-0 0-0 4 3 1 0 0 0 2 NORTH CAROLINA* 30 1-4 0-0 0-0 8 1 1 0 4 1 2 at Boston College* 14 2-3 0-0 0-0 1 4 0 1 0 0 14 PITTSBURGH* 29 4-4 0-0 2-2 4 4 1 1 3 2 10 at Miami* 21 3-6 0-0 0-2 3 2 0 0 1 0 6 at Wake Forest* 20 3-6 0-0 0-0 7 5 0 1 3 0 6 DUKE* 34 2-4 0-0 3-4 10 2 2 0 6 2 7 NOTRE DAME* 27 1-2 0-0 0-0 6 5 2 0 2 0 2 CLEMSON* 26 3-4 0-0 0-0 4 4 0 0 1 1 6 at Pittsburgh* 35 3-4 0-0 1-2 5 4 2 1 3 0 7 NC STATE* 35 4-7 0-0 6-6 12 3 1 3 7 1 14 BOSTON COLLEGE* 39 1-6 0-0 7-10 11 4 0 1 1 0 9 at Duke* 17 3-6 0-0 0-0 3 4 0 0 1 0 6 at Maryland* 12 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 4 1 3 0 1 0 at Virginia* 29 4-7 0-0 0-0 7 3 1 0 3 0 8 GEORGIA TECH* 28 1-2 0-0 1-2 10 1 0 1 4 0 3 at Florida State* 24 5-6 0-0 2-2 6 4 1 0 2 0 12 vs. NC State* 21 1-4 0-0 1-2 4 4 0 0 3 0 3 vs. Western Michigan* 23 0-1 0-0 2-2 4 4 2 0 1 1 2 vs. Dayton* 37 3-5 0-0 0-0 8 3 0 2 3 1 6

 

[jgeorge322]

And what about the other two years, when apparently you weren't following Syracuse basketball?

You must mean the one year he started and averaged 12.7 minutes. Pretty much got the early hook every game. Good call though.

 

[Trueblue25]

Still pisses me off that JB said the "if i had any other player" bs about Roberson. Kids clearly not a nuissance and JB wouldnt have had a final 4 birth without him too. Probably 1 less victory at Cameron too. Its arguable that we dont make the tournament last year without Roberson's key part in our Duke win.

 

[Brooky03]

I don't think Lydon can move as well as any of those three. He will play some 3. But he is a natural 4

That's where we disagree. Joseph might be somewhat of an exception because he could be pretty explosive if he was given a straight line drive, but Nichols and Fair weren't especially crafty with the ball on the deck or that explosive with their first steps. Leaping ability doesn't always translate to speed/agility, but Lydon is a better leaper than Fair and Nichols were, which I think speaks to his ability to 'move'.

 

[orangefog]

Still pisses me off that JB said the "if i had any other player" bs about Roberson. Kids clearly not a nuissance and JB wouldnt have had a final 4 birth without him too. Probably 1 less victory at Cameron too. Its arguable that we dont make the tournament last year without Roberson's key part in our Duke win.

JB knew how good Roberson could be. He was trying to light a fire under him. It worked in the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully he finds a way to motivate himself this coming year. If he comes off the bench, I want to see GMAC, Red and Hop surrounding him until he goes in, revving him up. Tell him that the other team has been talking about his mom or something.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Not sure about that. Christmas (asterisk) started every game, unless he was playing forward and DC was C. DC only played 13 games. See page 14.
http://cuse.com/documents/2014/5/14//FINAL2014.pdf?id=8330

Christmas Game-by-Game 2013-14 Opponent MP FG 3PT FT REB A T B S TP CORNELL* 27 4-5 0-0 4-5 4 2 1 0 1 1 12 FORDHAM* 18 1-2 0-0 3-4 3 4 2 0 1 1 5 COLGATE* 15 1-1 0-0 0-0 7 3 1 0 1 1 2 ST. FRANCIS BROOKLYN* 22 0-1 0-0 0-0 3 3 0 0 2 0 0 vs. Minnesota* 22 3-4 0-0 0-0 4 3 0 0 2 0 6 vs. California* 18 1-3 0-0 2-2 2 4 0 1 0 0 4 vs. Baylor* 31 3-3 0-0 1-1 5 3 1 2 0 1 7 INDIANA* 24 1-2 0-0 1-2 4 4 0 2 3 1 3 BINGHAMTON* 10 1-1 0-0 1-2 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 at St. John’s* 20 3-3 0-0 2-2 3 4 1 0 2 0 8 HIGH POINT* 20 2-2 0-0 2-4 3 1 1 1 2 0 6 VILLANOVA* 15 1-1 0-0 1-2 3 2 0 2 0 0 3 EASTERN MICHIGAN* 22 7-8 0-0 1-2 3 3 0 1 2 1 15 MIAMI* 28 3-5 0-0 2-2 7 1 0 1 1 0 8 at Virginia Tech* 10 1-1 0-0 0-0 4 3 1 0 0 0 2 NORTH CAROLINA* 30 1-4 0-0 0-0 8 1 1 0 4 1 2 at Boston College* 14 2-3 0-0 0-0 1 4 0 1 0 0 14 PITTSBURGH* 29 4-4 0-0 2-2 4 4 1 1 3 2 10 at Miami* 21 3-6 0-0 0-2 3 2 0 0 1 0 6 at Wake Forest* 20 3-6 0-0 0-0 7 5 0 1 3 0 6 DUKE* 34 2-4 0-0 3-4 10 2 2 0 6 2 7 NOTRE DAME* 27 1-2 0-0 0-0 6 5 2 0 2 0 2 CLEMSON* 26 3-4 0-0 0-0 4 4 0 0 1 1 6 at Pittsburgh* 35 3-4 0-0 1-2 5 4 2 1 3 0 7 NC STATE* 35 4-7 0-0 6-6 12 3 1 3 7 1 14 BOSTON COLLEGE* 39 1-6 0-0 7-10 11 4 0 1 1 0 9 at Duke* 17 3-6 0-0 0-0 3 4 0 0 1 0 6 at Maryland* 12 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 4 1 3 0 1 0 at Virginia* 29 4-7 0-0 0-0 7 3 1 0 3 0 8 GEORGIA TECH* 28 1-2 0-0 1-2 10 1 0 1 4 0 3 at Florida State* 24 5-6 0-0 2-2 6 4 1 0 2 0 12 vs. NC State* 21 1-4 0-0 1-2 4 4 0 0 3 0 3 vs. Western Michigan* 23 0-1 0-0 2-2 4 4 2 0 1 1 2 vs. Dayton* 37 3-5 0-0 0-0 8 3 0 2 3 1 6

Yep, Christmas played Forward. Just like he did when he and Fab started together.

 

[Day2]

Not sure about that. Christmas (asterisk) started every game, unless he was playing forward and DC was C. DC only played 13 games. See page 14.

See page 42. He started 12 of those 13 games.

 

[reedny]

Yep, Christmas played Forward. Just like he did when he and Fab started together.

See page 42. He started 12 of those 13 games.

Ok, that's probably right if Rak was playing PF. Trying to verify it from the SU pdf. If so, those 12 starts should be added to the 20 or so in DC's freshman year.

Clearly then he never started before this year ... except the 32 he started before that!

 

[Day2]

You must mean the one year he started and averaged 12.7 minutes. Pretty much got the early hook every game. Good call though.

You said he wasn't a starter until last year. You were wrong. Starting means being on the floor for the opening tip. He's done that in all but five of the games he's played at SU.