Social media and chat rooms proved to be an interesting place this weekend, as some Syracuse basketball fans are already predicting doom and gloom for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
If you've been on social media or chat rooms in the past day or so, you've probably seen this rumor. I haven't seen anything officially, so I won't go into it further.
Regardless of the debate over specific players, some fans believe the Orange coaching staff did a poor job this offseason in building the roster for the 2024-25 season. It's the feeling of
Whether I agree with this sentiment or not, I can understand this mindset and the skepticism towards the upcoming campaign. Since the transfer portal opened at the end of the 2023-24 season, seven players from last season's roster have reached the portal, many of whom have since found new college homes.
Additionally, sophomore point guard Judah Mintz is headed to the NBA Draft this summer. Conversely, the 'Cuse 2024 recruiting class is comprised of two high school seniors and three college transfers.
That means eight players will leave for the 2023-24 season, five players will return for the 2023-24 season, and five new players will join the program. This also means, as of this writing, the Orange staff still has his three scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year.
So, will Syracuse Basketball's 2024-25 roster be better or worse than last season? That remains to be seen, but my friend Jackson Holzer recently discussed this topic on his excellent podcast “Locked on Syracuse.”
Undoubtedly, some departures hurt, particularly sophomore big man Malik Brown, who is headed to fellow Atlantic Coast Conference team Duke.
The Orange appear to need at least one or two more big men for 2024-2025. In addition to having a 3-point specialist on the wing, another point guard is also a possibility.
But it was the first time in 10 years that the Syracuse basketball team won at least 20 games in the regular season, and the Cuse went 20-12 last season under first-year head coach Adrian Autry. , are we destined for below-average performance in 2024-2025? My answer is, how on earth would I know that now?
First, we don't know the Orange's entire 2024-2025 schedule. The Atlantic Coast Conference bracket of teams has been announced.Syracuse Basketball will compete in this year's Legends Classic at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in November
CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein recently reported that the 'Cuse will likely play fellow Big Ten Conference member Maryland at the Barclays Center in December. However, again, the complete record of his 11 non-conference contests will be determined in the future.
Additionally, it remains to be seen whether the Syracuse basketball coach will complete his addition to the current 2024-25 roster.
University transfers had to be registered on the portal by May 1, but the recruitment process can last weeks or even months. The Orange staff could look to bring in one or two more players through the portal, junior college (“JUCO”) route, or even the high school level.
Last week, Sheikh Sadib Ndiay, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center from the Prestige Worldwide Sports Academy in Lauderhill, Florida, visited the Hill. His head coach, Brad Traina, texted Ndiaye that his visit went well and that he liked Syracuse basketball, but SU coaches ultimately offered Ndiaye a scholarship. It has not been decided yet.
I understand that some Orange fans are a little anxious, nervous, and skeptical about what the Cuse will do in 2024-2025. But some of these blanket statements I've seen this weekend, declaring the 2024-25 season over before it even begins, seem a bit premature.
Let's all take a deep breath and see what the Syracuse basketball coaches ultimately do with roster construction in the coming weeks and months. The offseason isn't over yet.
I think that way you will be able to better assess what predictions our beloved orange will have in the next section.