Summer Sessions 2025

[Dcuse]

Was there a scrimmage against Boeheim’s Army?

Boeheim’s Army wasn’t here long enough to have dinner much less scrimmage anybody.

 

[OrangeFoo]

All the caveats about it being a highlight reel, not even real practice, it's summer, yadda, yadda... are all there. But I saw more help D on that one clip where the guy drove right and beat his guy forcing a pass back to Donnie at the top of the three point line than I have in both of Red's two previous years here.

Of course the downside is the secondary help rotated to the wing to prevent a pass versus getting on the guy who actually has the ball leaving Freeman with a wide open 3... so still some work to do on rogations I guess.

Also found it interesting that JJ was guarding Freeman and Freeman vs guarding JJ. Does this mean JJ is a forward and not a guard? Probably where he should be honestly... an undersized 3.

 

[Niastri]

All the caveats about it being a highlight reel, not even real practice, it's summer, yadda, yadda... are all there. But I saw more help D on that one clip where the guy drove right and beat his guy forcing a pass back to Donnie at the top of the three point line than I have in both of Red's two previous years here.

Of course the downside is the secondary help rotated to the wing to prevent a pass versus getting on the guy who actually has the ball leaving Freeman with a wide open 3... so still some work to do on rogations I guess.

Also found it interesting that JJ was guarding Freeman and Freeman vs guarding JJ. Does this mean JJ is a forward and not a guard? Probably where he should be honestly... an undersized 3.

I thought Freeman made a pretty good pass fake there... Hard to know whether it's good offense or bad defense sometimes.

I think they try all kinds of matchups in practice, they want players to be able to play offense and defense in all situations in case of switches.

I was impressed Freeman was able to rip Starling in that clip. It showed good hands on a guy who is a very good offensive player off the drive. Notice how Freeman celebrated, getting right in Starling's face? I found that very interesting the first time I saw that clip... It's even more pronounced when it's in context of an all Freeman highlight.

 

[RedtheGOB]

How’d they get there? (Too soon?)

I think it was one of those trolleys where you have to all pedal.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I thought Freeman made a pretty good pass fake there... Hard to know whether it's good offense or bad defense sometimes.

I think they try all kinds of matchups in practice, they want players to be able to play offense and defense in all situations in case of switches.

I was impressed Freeman was able to rip Starling in that clip. It showed good hands on a guy who is a very good offensive player off the drive. Notice how Freeman celebrated, getting right in Starling's face? I found that very interesting the first time I saw that clip... It's even more pronounced when it's in context of an all Freeman highlight.

I agree. Doesn't even matter the nuances of each play they showed. They are playing legit Orange on Blue basketball in practice. 5 on 5 with talent on both side. Did not exist the last 2 years.

Think about the 5 on 5 last year in practice and even the year before, a mess of new bodies and freshman and injuries. Not even mentioning each year losing the backbone of the defense (really the only defense) in Jessie Edwards and then in Maliq Brown as well as having to carry the black plagues in the locker room/bench that were Benny Williams and then Chris Bell.

I see alot of people want to B and moan about Autry's "can he coach" in the comments on social media but that ship had sailed well before the season went to hell last year because they had constructed such messy rosters. Yes that's still on Autry's insistence that he could make position-less basketball work in CNY in the portal era and some money problems.

With a legit full roster now we'll see.

 

[Hopkins16]

All the caveats about it being a highlight reel, not even real practice, it's summer, yadda, yadda... are all there. But I saw more help D on that one clip where the guy drove right and beat his guy forcing a pass back to Donnie at the top of the three point line than I have in both of Red's two previous years here.

Of course the downside is the secondary help rotated to the wing to prevent a pass versus getting on the guy who actually has the ball leaving Freeman with a wide open 3... so still some work to do on rogations I guess.

Also found it interesting that JJ was guarding Freeman and Freeman vs guarding JJ. Does this mean JJ is a forward and not a guard? Probably where he should be honestly... an undersized 3.

I like the fact that the “veterans/captains” were guarding each other. This helps when the opponent’s best player is either a guard or forward, and you have the option of putting either guy on that star player. With Freeman’s length, from time to time, being able to put him on a hot shot guard would help the team. I’m not saying he’s the second coming of Stacy Augmon, but we do complain about our players not being coached up and becoming better, so this would be great for Red if he could add another dimension to Freeman’s game.

 

[nocohalo]

The team finally looks like a squad of big athletes. Not clunky, unathletic 20-30 pounds undersized players of the last 10 years.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Niastri]

I agree. Doesn't even matter the nuances of each play they showed. They are playing legit Orange on Blue basketball in practice. 5 on 5 with talent on both side. Did not exist the last 2 years.

Think about the 5 on 5 last year in practice and even the year before, a mess of new bodies and freshman and injuries. Not even mentioning each year losing the backbone of the defense (really the only defense) in Jessie Edwards and then in Maliq Brown as well as having to carry the black plagues in the locker room/bench that were Benny Williams and then Chris Bell.

I see alot of people want to B and moan about Autry's "can he coach" in the comments on social media but that ship had sailed well before the season went to hell last year because they had constructed such messy rosters. Yes that's still on Autry's insistence that he could make position-less basketball work in CNY in the portal era and some money problems.

With a legit full roster now we'll see.

I agree with what you've said, with one minor quibble. This roster doesn't indicate to me that Red has given up on positionless basketball, but more of the opposite. Most of the players on this roster can play at least two positions,with several being 3-4 position guys.

The centers are really forwards with extra long arms, the forwards play like guards, and the guards are built like forwards. Guys like Kingz, Anthony, White, Betsey, Womack and Fennell are hard to label with a single position. (That's half of our roster!)

Our expected "three guard" lineup looks to me like a bunch of versatile guys who are tall enough to be forwards, but play like guards.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Only Fennell and George missing from the photo.

 

[pearl31]

Has it been made known why Fennell isn't in Syracuse yet?

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Has it been made known why Fennell isn't in Syracuse yet?

Bad Vegemite sandwich.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I agree with what you've said, with one minor quibble. This roster doesn't indicate to me that Red has given up on positionless basketball, but more of the opposite. Most of the players on this roster can play at least two positions,with several being 3-4 position guys.

The centers are really forwards with extra long arms, the forwards play like guards, and the guards are built like forwards. Guys like Kingz, Anthony, White, Betsey, Womack and Fennell are hard to label with a single position. (That's half of our roster!)

Our expected "three guard" lineup looks to me like a bunch of versatile guys who are tall enough to be forwards, but play like guards.

True but besides 1 guy you have listed they are not projected starters. And yea I agree the difference between a 2, 3, 4 can always be a little tricky. Important part being they should all be quicker and longer and more athletic than the past.

 

[SU in Hershey]

Bad Vegemite sandwich.

Kind of redundant, but I knew what you meant.

 

[cusefan88]

Has it been made known why Fennell isn't in Syracuse yet?

They probably follow summer session timelines. Since he couldn't make any, he'll probably land on campus when other students move in for fall.

 

[Niastri]

True but besides 1 guy you have listed they are not projected starters. And yea I agree the difference between a 2, 3, 4 can always be a little tricky. Important part being they should all be quicker and longer and more athletic than the past.

Yeah, I see a shift in strategy with the incoming players. All the freshman are versatile and long limbed. Diawara was a late add and the exception...

But even Betsey, Souare and Kyle fit that description. We only have one true center and one true point guard in the entire roster... Everybody else is notable for having the ability to play at least two positions (with varying levels of ability: i.e. Starling at point guard).

 

[letsgorange]

Yeah, I see a shift in strategy with the incoming players. All the freshman are versatile and long limbed. Diawara was a late add and the exception...

But even Betsey, Souare and Kyle fit that description. We only have one true center and one true point guard in the entire roster... Everybody else is notable for having the ability to play at least two positions (with varying levels of ability: i.e. Starling at point guard).

I agree we have a lot of versatility on the roster but disagree on the 1 true center point. Souare and Kyle are both true centers. A little undersized but neither can put the ball on the floor, pass and/or shoot an outside shot like a 4 man. I'd be very surprised to see either play a minute at forward

 

[Zelda Zonk]

I agree we have a lot of versatility on the roster but disagree on the 1 true center point. Souare and Kyle are both true centers. A little undersized but neither can put the ball on the floor, pass and/or shoot an outside shot like a 4 man. I'd be very surprised to see either play a minute at forward

I don’t remember ‘03 champion ’Warwick’ shooting many outside shots. They don’t have to be Stretch 4s.

 

[Niastri]

I agree we have a lot of versatility on the roster but disagree on the 1 true center point. Souare and Kyle are both true centers. A little undersized but neither can put the ball on the floor, pass and/or shoot an outside shot like a 4 man. I'd be very surprised to see either play a minute at forward

Considering they each have one three point attempt in their respective careers, I agree they aren't likely to take many threes this season.

However, if you watch the film on Souare and Kyle, they play more like forwards than traditional centers. Both have at least a hint of dribble penetration game, for instance.

The traditional center who can do nothing but rebound and post up is gone, though... So maybe they are the prototype modern center, and the traditional center is actually an aberration in today's game.

 

[jordville]

Kiy got some work in with Chris while in NY. Hard not to see Melo in a lot of his movements. Keeps getting better!

 

[Cuse4455]

Kiy got some work in with Chris while in NY. Hard not to see Melo in a lot of his movements. Keeps getting better!

No one ever misses a shot in that Gym lmfao.

 

[letsgorange]

I don’t remember ‘03 champion ’Warwick’ shooting many outside shots. They don’t have to be Stretch 4s.

Agree they don't have to be stretch 4's but Hakim had some ball skills and amazing footwork in the mid-range and post that I don't see from these 2 in the highlight videos. I see a lot of rim running and lob catches. I just see athletic, defensive minded centers. Definitely have defensive flexibility to guard forwards but IMO they would limit our offense playing forward. Regardless, super exited for this upcoming team. I see NBA type athletes all over the court!

 

[RedtheGOB]

Kiy got some work in with Chris while in NY. Hard not to see Melo in a lot of his movements. Keeps getting better!

Maybe it's me but I notice more and more shooters like this kicking the right leg out into a defender when taking 3's. I wonder if that's been drilled into his head in some of the more elite practice and coaching he gets with his shot.

We all know the refs in the ACC are hacks. Also that if a defender gets into Kiyan's legs he's prob more likely to get to the line than let's say Kyle Cuffe ha.

His form and shot just looks really smooth and in control and that has so much more to do with getting a call at the college level. Opposite of our guys the last year or two when they're airing up a prayer at the end of the shotclock out of control looking for the bailout.

Just thinking part of his game maybe getting to the line alot. Similar to Moneyball do I care if he scores points making baskets or from the FT line.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Maybe it's me but I notice more and more shooters like this kicking the right leg out into a defender when taking 3's. I wonder if that's been drilled into his head in some of the more elite practice and coaching he gets with his shot.

We all know the refs in the ACC are hacks. Also that if a defender gets into Kiyan's legs he's prob more likely to get to the line than let's say Kyle Cuffe ha.

His form and shot just looks really smooth and in control and that has so much more to do with getting a call at the college level. Opposite of our guys the last year or two when they're airing up a prayer at the end of the shotclock out of control looking for the bailout.

Just thinking part of his game maybe getting to the line alot. Similar to Moneyball do I care if he scores points making baskets or from the FT line.

Looks like Dirks old patented move tbh.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Maybe it's me but I notice more and more shooters like this kicking the right leg out into a defender when taking 3's. I wonder if that's been drilled into his head in some of the more elite practice and coaching he gets with his shot.

We all know the refs in the ACC are hacks. Also that if a defender gets into Kiyan's legs he's prob more likely to get to the line than let's say Kyle Cuffe ha.

His form and shot just looks really smooth and in control and that has so much more to do with getting a call at the college level. Opposite of our guys the last year or two when they're airing up a prayer at the end of the shotclock out of control looking for the bailout.

Just thinking part of his game maybe getting to the line alot. Similar to Moneyball do I care if he scores points making baskets or from the FT line.

When you shoot a fade-away, the front leg/push leg, will always be extended. When he was squaring up, his legs were pretty well under him