There are many layers here. On the football front, other than ND and USC, with the landscape transforming into what it has become seemingly overnight, private schools have never been more, let's just say, challenged, to compete at the level it takes nowadays. At least to be a player, and a consistent one at that.
For a school such as Syracuse University, with its somewhat rich history, this is such a tough pill to swallow. At least prior to the landscape being what is now is, there was this hope that if the powers that be would just make a larger commitment, etc. SU could get back to some of those 'glory days' and not just on a one off basis.
Hoops, IMO, and its fall from grace, also primarily falls on the powers that be that allowed and enabled its HOF coach to cause such self destruction to its golden goose. Shameful and regrettable aren't strong enough sentiments. Perhaps, willful, wanton gross negligence is more in line.
SU hoops nowadays is, and has been for a while now, circled on the map by our opponents counting W's vs. one of an given L, or one of huge significance, confidence building, marquee victory, etc. if somehow it's pulled off. Unfortunately, we've become the Seton Hall's, Providence's, BC's and the likes, far removed from being "Beasts of the East." Quite sombering.
Somewhat connecting the dots here...what are the benefits of Syracuse University remaining a private vs. public school, at least from a revenue sports standpoint? Additionally, Syracuse's academic standing, though respectable, has been passed by several public schools, ranking lower than some of the SEC schools (Florida, Texas, Georgia, A&M) where shade is thrown at the conference is that regard. Not to mention, that Flagship school in NJ that folks take so much pleasure in mocking, etc. is currently ranked at 42, some 33 spots ahead of Syracuse.
