Significant Change Is Coming

[LpoolNative]

It’s realistic to expect significant turnover after this season. A full staff change almost guarantees roster movement, and there will likely be a few departures that catch people off guard.

Donnie could transfer or at least explore the draft. It wouldn’t be shocking to see one of the freshmen—Kiyan or Sadiq—leave, though probably not both. You could also see someone like Betsey or Fennell move on due to a combination of NIL money and playing-time clarity.

Betsey, in particular, has been genuinely good all season and is good enough to draw real interest elsewhere. None of this is meant to be alarmist; it’s simply what happens when a program resets.

Losing Kiyan would be a bad look optically, especially with the family frustration being visible, but on the floor he’s more of a specialized scorer than a complete impact player. Crafty, yes. Transformative, no.

Short-term, it may feel like the program is unraveling. That reaction will be loud and emotional, but it doesn’t mean it’s wrong to clean house. Sometimes things have to bottom out before they reset properly.

If Syracuse is willing to spend on a real staff, modern player development, and competitive NIL like we dished out for this current roster, there’s no reason this can’t turn quickly. The brand still matters. The resources are there if they’re actually used. Make the right hire, align the money, and accept a brief uncomfortable transition, and this can absolutely set up a legitimate resurgence over the next few years.

The sky might look like it’s falling for a bit, but that doesn’t mean the foundation can’t be rebuilt stronger than it’s been in a long time.

 

[jdubs30]

This roster and staff will be 99% different next year. Literally can’t think of 1 player/staff that I’d say as better than a 50% chance of being here next year.

It’s possible if Melo likes the new HC hire (and the new hire likes them) Kiyan and Sadiq could come back. But seems easier for everyone for a fresh start.

Give me a coach who gets guys who he wants for his system, not trying to fit square pegs in round holes

 

[sufan59]

This roster and staff will be 99% different next year. Literally can’t think of 1 player/staff that I’d say as better than a 50% chance of being here next year.

It’s possible if Melo likes the new HC hire (and the new hire likes them) Kiyan and Sadiq could come back. But seems easier for everyone for a fresh start.

Give me a coach who gets guys who he wants for his system, not trying to fit square pegs in round holes

Agreed that it highly depends on who the coach is and style on player retention.

 

[Killdozer]

I couldn't care less what Melo thinks about the change or if any player stays including Kiyan. This Syracuse program needed a change the last five years of the JB era. To have JW hire a JB disciple that doesn't know any other system was a huge mistake and that is what has led to where the program is today. Get outside of this crazy "Syracuse Family Tree" crap and hire a high end coach and staff.

 

[Cusefan78]

I would think they would over spend just to keep Anthony here and Melo happy. if he leaves it would be a bad look, Melo is as royalty as we get

 

[HyattsCuse]

Short-term, it may feel like the program is unraveling. That reaction will be loud and emotional, but it doesn’t mean it’s wrong to clean house. Sometimes things have to bottom out before they reset properly….

The sky might look like it’s falling for a bit, but that doesn’t mean the foundation can’t be rebuilt stronger than it’s been in a long time.

I would wager the vast majority of this board already has feelings like the sky is falling, program is unraveled, and/or we are bottoming out right now.

If the transition into the Fran era for our football team is any indication, change/cleaning house will produce the exact opposite of those types of feelings. Most are chomping at the bit for change. I know I am.

The new head coach hire will be the catalyst that dictates how excited people get. Bring on the change.

 

[Sbucketball]

No one will be sad or think the program is unraveling if almost everyone leaves. It's expected. People will be excited for a new chapter.

 

[Fly Rodder]

if he leaves it would be a bad look, Melo is as royalty as we get

I'm trying to think of any situation where there was even a remotely similar situation and I can't come up with anything obvious. How many schools fire a coach after the freshman season of the kid of the University's biggest sports star with his name on a building? That said, Melo can either be part of the solution or not be part of the problem. At this point, Kiyan not playing defense and taking too many shots with the lowest TS on the team IS part of the problem. He should be getting about 5 mpg in conference not 16 min and 5 FGA. He's not THE problem, but it's certainly part of it.

Hey Hey Ho Ho this ISO offense has got to go!

 

[Todd23]

It’s realistic to expect significant turnover after this season. A full staff change almost guarantees roster movement, and there will likely be a few departures that catch people off guard.

Donnie could transfer or at least explore the draft. It wouldn’t be shocking to see one of the freshmen—Kiyan or Sadiq—leave, though probably not both. You could also see someone like Betsey or Fennell move on due to a combination of NIL money and playing-time clarity.

Betsey, in particular, has been genuinely good all season and is good enough to draw real interest elsewhere. None of this is meant to be alarmist; it’s simply what happens when a program resets.

Losing Kiyan would be a bad look optically, especially with the family frustration being visible, but on the floor he’s more of a specialized scorer than a complete impact player. Crafty, yes. Transformative, no.

Short-term, it may feel like the program is unraveling. That reaction will be loud and emotional, but it doesn’t mean it’s wrong to clean house. Sometimes things have to bottom out before they reset properly.

If Syracuse is willing to spend on a real staff, modern player development, and competitive NIL like we dished out for this current roster, there’s no reason this can’t turn quickly. The brand still matters. The resources are there if they’re actually used. Make the right hire, align the money, and accept a brief uncomfortable transition, and this can absolutely set up a legitimate resurgence over the next few years.

The sky might look like it’s falling for a bit, but that doesn’t mean the foundation can’t be rebuilt stronger than it’s been in a long time.

Even without a coaching change, in today's landscape I expect the entire roster to be different year to year.

 

[CuseTG2003]

I think Kingz, Donnie, Betsey, and eventually Sadiq can be key contributors on a good team w/ a good coach and would be happy to see any of them return. What likely what lies ahead isn't a gut rehab however. It's tear down and build anew from scratch.

 

[RedtheGOB]

Entire staff will be gone along with all the players. We turned over all but 2 guys after last year and there was no coaching change.

I’m not saying the current players wouldn’t be solid contributors in a new regime I’m just saying no incoming coach will keep them. They will bring their own guys and rebuild from there.

 

[HyattsCuse]

I’m not saying the current players wouldn’t be solid contributors in a new regime I’m just saying no incoming coach will keep them. They will bring their own guys and rebuild from there.

Ha, that would make me for one heckuva future thread:

Kiyan wants to stay, but new coach gives him “the talk”.