Year 3 Improvements

[CU44SE]

Great question.

Weren't we a year later than we could have been with Alex Kline's hire as GM?

And I was shocked to read on this board recently, that we still have two open AC positions?
I thought Englestad filled the only spot we had available once GMac left for Siena, but I guess not.

Why are Red and/or the AD dragging their feet when it comes to these hires that can only help the program?

Yup, the limit is now 5. The extra 2 coaches can’t recruit. Which should be a perfect position for an older former coach that doesn’t want to recruit. That is where the dedicated X and O coach should be hired. We have had the ability to do this for over a year without any movement.

I think this is a giant red flag. I can only assume this is a lack of resources issue and not Red being stubborn, because why would you not want to hire extra people to ensure you are successful?

 

[Hopkins16]

We need a big man coach who actually played the position or have had success coaching the position but never played the game. Maybe coax Arinze from Siena which should be easy with more money, plus being at his alma mater and an ACC school should be an easy sell. Arinze would have been perfect for Lampkin and any future in the paint center we recruit.

Secondly, we need a veteran P5 point guard from the portal while we prepare Fennell for the job. Red can't afford a hit or miss with Fennell.

If Freeman, JJ, Moore, Cuffe and Petar returns (5 team vets), we add from the portal an experienced power conference Center and Point Guard (that makes 7 experienced players) to go along with the incoming freshmen, 3 who are highly touted and should be able to contribute from day one (White, Anthony and Fennell) that is a team that should be able to compete if Coach Autry by what would be year 3, can finally put together a system and step up in managing a team and games.

An experienced former head coach on the bench as an assistant would also be very helpful.

 

[kcsu]

If Red believes in what he says which is he want to get out and push the ball, then he needs to build a roster that can play that style.

JJ
Cuffe
Moore
Petar and Donnie if he sticks are the core.

White, Kyle, and Fennel are all able to get up and go so they fit the Mold

Add an athletic 5 if not a power forward 4 who can run and 1000% get the best PG money can buy. Get a player that can get you out on the break and as importantly get you a bucket when needed. Think Johnny . more than Ennis. I want a scoring PG.

Hire some new blood. Young aggressive coaches who can relate to the players. Think Gmac 10 years ago type of coach. I would seriously give Devo a role. He has passion and he won't take any crap from the kids.

Last point. Be their coach. Don't worry about being liked. Be respected. Reach out to as many coaches as you have in your rolodex and ask for advice and help. Look at film until your eyes bleed. Put the work in to make yourself a better coach. Most importantly make the next fall camp the most challenging, physically and mentally camp you have ever coached. In short break your own balls and theirs.

 

[Scooch]

I don't care about specifics, but the "improvement" that is a must is making the NCAA Tournament. It's that or bust, IMHO.

 

[HyattsCuse]

. Outside shooting. A true PG- Cuffe got me excited the other day— could it be him?

Which of his 2 assists got you excited? Or was it the lights out 1-8 from 3?

 

[SWC75]

I personally thought Straughn and Engelstad were good hires. I certainly wouldnt be sad to see Griff go though.

So Griff will be the scapegoat?

 

[SWC75]

Red needs to end the 'droughts' and play more than 3-4 minutes of good defense at a time.

 

[LAorange44]

I like looking at history for an idea of what type of task is in front of us. In the last 10 years, there have only been 4 instances where an ACC team in the bottom 4 has finished in the top 4 the following year: ND ‘15, Clim ‘18, Miami ‘22, and Pitt ‘23. With the exception of Pitt, all those teams were led by veteran coaches. Pitt ‘23 was Capels 5th season I believe. Expecting Red to turn this around to a top 4 in conference performance, which is the type of performance he will need to have to overcome the stench of this year, only 10% of ACC teams have pulled off that feat. Otherwise, looking at the end of season standings, the same teams seem to come in and out of the bottom 4 year after year. Hopefully our stay here is brief. Rooting for red but he has a tall task in front of him and history is not on his side.

 

[swish7]

To move on from the various 'fire Red' threads, and assuming Red is retained - I'm curious the board's thoughts on what a year 3 with Red should look like?

What improvements would you make to the roster, coaching staff, style of play? What has to be achieved in order for Red to be retained beyond next season?

Results: win 2/3rd to 3/4ths more than you lose.

Roster: 7-8 dudes none of whom you can point at and say that is a waste of a scholly or NIL.

Offense: team oriented to seeking easy shots against the opponents weaknesses.

Defense: 7-8 dudes who know what help D is. Aggressive & aware & gritty.

Culture: 12 dudes who seem appreciative of the opportunity.

Competitive games, whether or not we're overmatched.

 

[CnyTarheel]

I like looking at history for an idea of what type of task is in front of us. In the last 10 years, there have only been 4 instances where an ACC team in the bottom 4 has finished in the top 4 the following year: ND ‘15, Clim ‘18, Miami ‘22, and Pitt ‘23. With the exception of Pitt, all those teams were led by veteran coaches. Pitt ‘23 was Capels 5th season I believe. Expecting Red to turn this around to a top 4 in conference performance, which is the type of performance he will need to have to overcome the stench of this year, only 10% of ACC teams have pulled off that feat. Otherwise, looking at the end of season standings, the same teams seem to come in and out of the bottom 4 year after year. Hopefully our stay here is brief. Rooting for red but he has a tall task in front of him and history is not on his side.

You can only do the comparison starting with the first year of the portal.. that's how Capel got Pittsburgh to finish that high in the Acc, he hit the portal

 

[CnyTarheel]

I watched the Arizona Cincinnati game yesterday.. Arizona has 4 guys 6-11 or taller and they are athletic, I'd get ahold of one or two of them and tell them they'd start here.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

You can only do the comparison starting with the first year of the portal.. that's how Capel got Pittsburgh to finish that high in the Acc, he hit the portal

We hit the portal. The portal-potty

 

[Bulldog04]

One thing I can comment on- the morph of “how they play”. Last year it was apparent. Way more speed and pushing the ball and could live with the lack of rebounding. Won 20 games.

This year totally shift the roster make up to address rebounding and more low post plays and not get killed on offensive rebounding. However this has literally resulted in no transition points or shots ever. It’s also resulted in tons of turnovers. Also resulted in a very slow PG. And simply has not worked. We all know that.

I doubt we ever see the “get bigger” element. I think Red learned he shoulda stuck with his first instinct of play faster and get out on the break instead of trying to prove toughness. You can get guys that can rebound without them being Eddie-like.

I know a big part of the plan is a center next year but I don’t think it will ever resemble Eddie again. Can’t imagine red not going back to what won him 20 games

 

[phil77]

One thing I can comment on- the morph of “how they play”. Last year it was apparent. Way more speed and pushing the ball and could live with the lack of rebounding. Won 20 games.

This year totally shift the roster make up to address rebounding and more low post plays and not get killed on offensive rebounding. However this has literally resulted in no transition points or shots ever. It’s also resulted in tons of turnovers. Also resulted in a very slow PG. And simply has not worked. We all know that.

I doubt we ever see the “get bigger” element. I think Red learned he shoulda stuck with his first instinct of play faster and get out on the break instead of trying to prove toughness. You can get guys that can rebound without them being Eddie-like.

I know a big part of the plan is a center next year but I don’t think it will ever resemble Eddie again. Can’t imagine red not going back to what won him 20 games

Top PG with a defensive athletic rim-running center (Mintz/Brown). Easy formula that most on this board have been screaming for. That formula works almost every time in college.

 

[swish7]

I watched the Arizona Cincinnati game yesterday.. Arizona has 4 guys 6-11 or taller and they are athletic, I'd get ahold of one or two of them and tell them they'd start here.

There are so many teams that have a handful of these types of players. I'm lost as to why we cannot recruit one. We got either beanpoles who cannot bang, or bangers who can barely walk.

 

[Newhouser]

Let's not forget how much a wing with handle, motor, scoring ability and toughness could help too.
I want a distributing PG not Judah. I want my wings to create and bail us out of bad situations.

 

[Hopkins16]

Let's not forget how much a wing with handle, motor, scoring ability and toughness could help too.
I want a distributing PG not Judah. I want my wings to create and bail us out of bad situations.

I agree. It would be great if we focused our recruiting on wings and players in general who can dribble, create and pass. A team full of 3 star guys who can do those things is more valuable than one dimensional limited players highly ranked or not.

 

[swish7]

I just want to add that I want Red to succeed. Obviously, the alternative is very painful to watch.

Hopefully he is self aware enough to recognize what's not working & fix it.

 

[MikeSU02]

To move on from the various 'fire Red' threads, and assuming Red is retained - I'm curious the board's thoughts on what a year 3 with Red should look like?

What improvements would you make to the roster, coaching staff, style of play? What has to be achieved in order for Red to be retained beyond next season?

I'm looking at this at program level.

Next year there has to be a clear plan announced to the public after this mess of a season. Alex Kline needs to be more public. There needs to be a clear statement of what we want our identity to be on O and D and what the expectations are for the Syracuse program.

Then, I want to hear what we are doing at center and point guard (do not tell me the Aussie kid is the solve and even if he is good enough to play, we need more than one lead guard on the roster). I want all portal guys mapping to what the identity is of the team.

I want to then see Red execute the strategy and plan on a game to game basis of what the stated identity is. I want to see guys in roles that help achieve that.

I am done listening to the PR spin about obviously poor players or ill fitting players.

Then there has to be wins, competent play and an NCAAT berth that is not in question.

 

[torque]

If Autry is retained he should be forced to fire a few people within the program

U mean Alan, Allen or Aileen?

 

[djcon57]

I don't care about specifics, but the "improvement" that is a must is making the NCAA Tournament. It's that or bust, IMHO.

1000 percent. “20 wins” or some other arbitrary goal doesn’t cut it. We need to make the tourney. NOT FINAL FOUR. Just make the tourney. Even first four works