What's Syracuse's best strategy to build a team?

[Cusefan0307]

I'll preface this by stating Tyler Ennis was expected to stay longer than a year, but what is our best strategy to build a team to compete for a final four regularly?

UCONN, Florida, and Wisconsin are lead by upperclassmen. Louisville was lead by Siva, smith and Hancock the last two years. Kentucky is lead by freshman. We had a relatively young backcourt this year, and the loss of Ennis makes it feel like we are starting over next year. Scottie Wilbekin was a two star recruit. Shabazz Napier is a senior, who as a sophomore was criticized as much as Trevor Cooney by UCONN fans. Waiting on guys to develop is difficult for fans. We want instant success. Napier, Wilbekin, and Kaminsky all really didn't take off until later in their careers. To we have the capability to be patient to wait for guys to improve. Maybe this could be Gbinije and Cooney the next two years?

I don't think you need a lot of NBA talent to win this day in age in college basketball. It's clear you need guys who can make shots, be a leader and take care of the ball. Should we continue to go after guys with high upside that may be less skilled and not stick around their entire career, or should we go after "program" guys more often like scoop, Arinze, rautins, triche, Rick Jackson, and cj fair?

 

[OrangeDW]

UConn almost went home in round 1. Kentucky almost went home in round 2, and were behind all game against Louisville in round 3. Louisville was actually better and controlled the game, but Kentucky made FT's and Louisville didn't.

The best team doesn't always win.

We sucked and lost by 2. If Ennis's shot went in, we would've sucked and won by 1, and our sucking would've been completely forgotten...especially once we beat Stanford and made the elite 8.

We're fine. We're in the mix almost every year, and we just went to the final 4 LAST YEAR. Some of you guys post like that didn't even happen!

 

[Cusefan0307]

UConn almost went home in round 1. Kentucky almost went home in round 2, and were behind all game against Louisville in round 3. Louisville was actually better and controlled the game, but Kentucky made FT's and Louisville didn't.

The best team doesn't always win.

We sucked and lost by 2. If Ennis's shot went in, we would've sucked and won by 1, and our sucking would've been completely forgotten...especially once we beat Stanford and made the elite 8.

We're fine. We're in the mix almost every year, and we just went to the final 4 LAST YEAR. Some of you guys post like that didn't even happen!

I agree we are, in the mix, I'm just seeing what everyone's opinion is on what should our strategy be.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Carmelo Anthony

 

[Jasoncuse]

Recruit more scorers. If the last week has proven anything, it's that teams with kids that can shoot and score in a number of ways will have greater success. Relying on defense won't cut it.

 

[orangefan13]

multiple isolation scorers who can take over games. I don't think the motion offense works as good in march, in the same way m2m doesn't work as good in dec. guys with a quick confident release under pressure.

And I Wouldn't mind 2 pg's on the court toghther for stretches. Also if you can get your hands on a 6'11-7 foot center, instead of all 6'9 centers for shotblocking, they need to be able to recover from the midpost to the baseline though. Need a forward who can put the strength on to post up and score before they leave. Spot up shooters can take years to average 3 threes against great competition, better used like gbinije was most of the year(not 6th man material)to they are ready(James Southerland Trevor Cooney). Love what were are doing with pg's like Mcw,Ennis and Joseph though however they are best used as a second go to guy until march if they are going to leave early. A on the ball guard defender or two up top is good for defense as opponents rely on throwing the ball around the perimeter until the attack or shoot a 3.

 

[stuckinbig11]

to paraphrase JB: you need to put the ball in the basket to win.

p.s., Those teams were LED by upperclassmen, not LEAD.

 

[SoBeCuse]

MULTIPLE good ballhandlers and passers at multiple positions looks like a common trend. Only Stauskas and Napier are the real potent scorers in all of these Elite 8 teams. Arizona had these qualities without the shooters and they overcame Ashley. Michigan freaking overcame McGary and both Arizona and Michigan nearly made the F4. Guys like CJ could only take a dribble or two before being stuck in a trap or hard double-team. He can't pass. Napier and Boatwright are studs and put LOTS of pressure on a defense. They also harass other guards when they play D.

 

[longislandcuse]

Find out what Michigan is doing and recruit those guys.

 

[FLorange04]

Find out what Michigan is doing and recruit those guys.

This!

Beilein is doing an amazing job.

 

[FLorange04]

I'll preface this by stating Tyler Ennis was expected to stay longer than a year, but what is our best strategy to build a team to compete for a final four regularly?

UCONN, Florida, and Wisconsin are lead by upperclassmen. Louisville was lead by Siva, smith and Hancock the last two years. Kentucky is lead by freshman. We had a relatively young backcourt this year, and the loss of Ennis makes it feel like we are starting over next year. Scottie Wilbekin was a two star recruit. Shabazz Napier is a senior, who as a sophomore was criticized as much as Trevor Cooney by UCONN fans. Waiting on guys to develop is difficult for fans. We want instant success. Napier, Wilbekin, and Kaminsky all really didn't take off until later in their careers. To we have the capability to be patient to wait for guys to improve. Maybe this could be Gbinije and Cooney the next two years?

I don't think you need a lot of NBA talent to win this day in age in college basketball. It's clear you need guys who can make shots, be a leader and take care of the ball. Should we continue to go after guys with high upside that may be less skilled and not stick around their entire career, or should we go after "program" guys more often like scoop, Arinze, rautins, triche, Rick Jackson, and cj fair?

Scottie's story is a bit unique in that gave up his 12th-grade high school eligibility to join the Gators. Had he stayed for his senior year of high school, he would probably be a 3-4* recruit.

But point taken.