So uhhhh…are we back?!

[CU44SE]

We literally start ACC play with the 3 worst teams in the league. Let’s let the season play out.

 

[HyattsCuse]

We literally start ACC play with the 3 worst teams in the league. Let’s let the season play out.

Huh? Clemson, GTech, Pitt. No we didn’t, literally.

 

[CU44SE]

Huh? Clemson, GTech, Pitt. No we didn’t, literally.

Sorry I didn’t make this very clear. I ment this stretch we are on now, starting in the new year. Literally play the 4 worst teams in the ACC in a row. GT, Pitt, FSU, BC. They have a combined 2 wins in the ACC and they are against each other.

Pitt beat GT. And GT beat BC. These 4 teams are a combined 32-37.

Just putting some cold water on this recent winning streak. Doesn’t mean too much to me.

 

[longtimefan]

Sorry I didn’t make this very clear. I ment this stretch we are on now, starting in the new year. Literally play the 4 worst teams in the ACC in a row. GT, Pitt, FSU, BC. They have a combined 2 wins in the ACC and they are against each other.

Pitt beat GT. And GT beat BC. These 4 teams are a combined 32-37.

Just putting some cold water on this recent winning streak Doesn’t mean too much to me.

Beats the bejesus out of a losing streak.

 

[NineOneSeven]

We aren’t back until we see a number between 1 and 25 next to our name.

People know what that means, right? It’s been so long, not sure if the memory has faded.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

We aren’t back until we see a number between 1 and 25 next to our name.

People know what that means, right? It’s been so long, not sure if the memory has faded.

I 100% agree. This is a good standard.

Also we're totally back.

 

[TheHaze315]

It’s wild the fall from grace this program has seen, in 2026 a 3 game win streak against 3 of the worst teams in the conference has us questioning if we are back.

 

[721Comstock]

It’s wild the fall from grace this program has seen, in 2026 a 3 game win streak against 3 of the worst teams in the conference has us questioning if we are back.

 

[AlaskaSU]

Red still can’t coach half court offense. Very little off ball screening actions and not having players cut to the basket regularly. Donnie cuts into the lane but he just has the instinct for it. We should be running sets whenever we get into the half court. Instead Nait dribbles the ball forever way out near mid court. That must stop.

13 assists has to stop?

 

[AlaskaSU]

Donnie is scoring at a high rate and with unheard-of efficiency. If he stays healthy we will be playing in March. A few reallocations of player minutes would be helpful but is unlikely.

 

[Consigliere]

Eh, our last 3 games, we have scored 82,82, and 94 points. Not remotely abysmal. Donnie has made a difference and offense has not been a problem. What almost cost us last night was our D, so hopefully we can get back to early season form in that area.

And the best indicator of a functioning offense is the assist total. 57 in the last three games.
Granted the opposition defense has been weak but that stat still shows that the ball is moving and players are able to anticipate the movements of their teammates.
Need to clean up the unforced turnovers, individual mental lapses rather than a sign of coaching deficiencies, to take the next step.

 

[blust2i3d4]

How long should we extend Red for?

Lifetime contract right

Make that decision in the end of the season. I think this team is a sweet 16 team if the committee did not put us (8/9th seed) against No. 1 Michigan. I pick Michigan to win the national championship this year.

 

[Orangezoo]

We aren’t back until we see a number between 1 and 25 next to our name.

People know what that means, right? It’s been so long, not sure if the memory has faded.

I’ll add- for more than a week.

 

[newmexicuse]

We are Syracuse - for me - being back would mean at least three straight Dances to show high level continuity in the program. Even if we Dance this season, the odds are Freeman goes pro, would we be able to sustain success (if we even get that far) without him ?

 

[Cusefan0307]

We are Syracuse - for me - being back would mean at least three straight Dances to show high level continuity in the program. Even if we Dance this season, the odds are Freeman goes pro, would we be able to sustain success (if we even get that far) without him ?

Agree with this take. We have to add replacement players and that’s a big concern considering we have ZERO recruits for next year.

 

[Orangezoo]

Agree with this take. We have to add replacement players and that’s a big concern considering we have ZERO recruits for next year.

Yeah I mean this looks like a program that’s expecting a new coach seeing that…yet at least for the moment this season is still very much there for it to be a major success for Red. I’m not betting on success but right now it is just odd.,

 

[2B20Again]

We are Syracuse - for me - being back would mean at least three straight Dances to show high level continuity in the program. Even if we Dance this season, the odds are Freeman goes pro, would we be able to sustain success (if we even get that far) without him ? Excellent ?
The issue is with a non existent recruiting class it becomes more difficult. There need to be a refurbished nascent each your buoyed by high end freshmen. Yes I know the portal, however, the portal costs $$$ big $$$. Now SU is no the little sisters of the poor, but they are not near the top tier either. SU brought in Donnie top 10 player, the next year White top 20,Anthony top 30. That keeps things going. The only reason not to bring in new HS recruits is when the previous year you brought in 5/6 top 20/40 recruits. My take fire away. Be gentle I’m old.

 

[Lame-0]

Agree with this take. We have to add replacement players and that’s a big concern considering we have ZERO recruits for next year.

If the NIL money is there, should be able to mine the portal.

 

[atlanticuse]

13 assists has to stop?

6 turnovers per guard has to stop.
Or the real zingers like JJ losing the ball and touching it on the baseline.

 

[atlanticuse]

we're KenPom 58... definite positive momentum

 

[EnviroSciGuy]

If the NIL money is there, should be able to mine the portal.

The big question is who will be mining the portal. That's why we're stuck in neutral on the recruiting front.

 

[newmexicuse]

Agree with this take. We have to add replacement players and that’s a big concern considering we have ZERO recruits for next year.

We may be over reaching with our recruiting, eg, it would be a longshot to get a Rippey away from Duke. Now, I am not saying that we shouldnt try and get the 5 stars, but it appears that we are not taking obtainable 4 stars. Why ?? If we can get a solid 4 star kid, take him and dont wait on a longshot 5 star.

 

[Sbucketball]

Yeah I mean this looks like a program that’s expecting a new coach seeing that…yet at least for the moment this season is still very much there for it to be a major success for Red. I’m not betting on success but right now it is just odd.,

It's a weird feeling season but I don't think the recruiting situation is odd because it makes sense from the recruit's perspective. Given the availability of the portal we only want high level recruits. And high level recruits have options so why make a huge gamble by committing to a coach who seems to have a greater than 50% chance of being fired, and risk losing other options. Whether or not Red makes it to next year it was always going to be a big portal year.

 

[Cusefan0307]

We may be over reaching with our recruiting, eg, it would be a longshot to get a Rippey away from Duke. Now, I am not saying that we shouldnt try and get the 5 stars, but it appears that we are not taking obtainable 4 stars. Why ?? If we can get a solid 4 star kid, take him and dont wait on a longshot 5 star.

I was told they want to keep everyone they have and would only lose JJ, Donnie, Kyle, and Zephir who barely plays..

Problem is that is 3 starters. I think we can replace JJ with who we have, but we need 2 impact players to replace Donnie and Kyle.

I am not sold on Sadiq being that guy yet.

 

[Consigliere]

I was told they want to keep everyone they have and would only lose JJ, Donnie, Kyle, and Zephir who barely plays..

Problem is that is 3 starters. I think we can replace JJ with who we have, but we need 2 impact players to replace Donnie and Kyle.

I am not sold on Sadiq being that guy yet.

Isn’t Kingz in his last year too?
And certainly if Donnie keeps playing at this level he’ll start to show up in mock draft first round projections. But if he has a lull and ends up in Judah territory it’s not inconceivable that he returns to dispel the injury prone label.