This team has nothing close to a shot blocker

[Zelda Zonk]

I was disappointed to not see a single 2025 center on the recruiting thread and a short thread about a 2026 center. We really need two new centers for next year. Will the coaches going to the portal for both?

The plan is for one portal center and three 6’7” small forwards to back him up.

 

[Conrad13]

The plan is for one portal center and three 6’7” small forwards to back him up.

Not sure if this warranted a laughing or a crying emoji, because I know it's true.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don't disagree. He's been awful this season. It's odd that he went from serviceable to unplayable... Not sure if it's an injury or lack of development or a combination.

He had foot surgery in the off season.

 

[hoopsupstate]

He had foot surgery in the off season.

He has very little mobility since the surgery. He also appears heavy and more lumbering getting up and down the court.

 

[007]

He has very little mobility since the surgery. He also appears heavy and more lumbering getting up and down the court.

Lingering issues from his surgery are a reasonable assumption. However, it's hard to tell how much his physical issues, if any, are compounded by poor game awareness and slow reaction time in general.

 

[IthacaMatt]

He has very little mobility since the surgery. He also appears heavy and more lumbering getting up and down the court.

We haven't seen enough to know for sure, but Red certainly feels that way.

 

[bevosu]

Tallest men’s college basketball players for 2024-25 season
(the article was published in early November).

Tied for #3

The 7-foot-4, 265-pound Syracuse Orange senior says he has his sights set on Defensive Player of the Year.

McLeod enters the 2024-25 season fully recovered from the foot injury that sidelined him for most of last year. In his 14 starts, he averaged 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 0.2 steals.

“I actually have three more inches to grow,” McLeod said after talks with his doctors. “I’m supposed to be 7’7” when it’s all said and done.”

 

[kingtidge]

McLeod last year was serviceable. He can’t play d1 hoops anymore

10-4 on that.

err, I mean 7-4.

I guess he's permanently hobbled with a foot problem??

Honestly, I really do not understand.

2 years ago next week - 2/8/2023 - Syracuse vs. Fla St:

 

[CardiacCuse]

Well, we do have McLeod. I would think he's good to play 5-10min a game. Depth was supposed to be our strength.

in preseason i ripped mcleod after an exhibition and hes been benched ever since...but i think mcelod should be playing

i dont like his game...but he is 7 4

use him as a rim protector and full court press

use him in pick and roll with carlos/jj

use him in the back of the zone

these are kinds of things they havent even tried and I dont understand why

not much creativity in schemes from the staff

just tell him when he is in the game hes guarding the rim not his man and see what happens

i think rim protection would help this team so much on d...but not sure a shot blicker is really the biggest problem the team has

i think the biggest problem is that the players dont play intelligently

 

[CardiacCuse]

The plan is for one portal center and three 6’7” small forwards to back him up.

i would laugh if it wasnt so sad

 

[Trueblue25]

Got a lot of shot missers, but nope no shot blockers