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****THE OFFICIAL NCAA BASKETBALL OFFSEASON THREAD****


gangreenman

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Well, the season has long since come to an end and the April 30th draft declaration deadline is just a week away now. Therefore, its all about players leaving/returning speculation and recruiting rumors and chatter.

Being a Syracuse fan with connections to people close to the team, Im going to go through a run down list of everything involving player personnel, recruiting rumors, and next seasons schedule.

Players Leaving:

Jonny Flynn, So., PG = Declare for Draft

Eric Devendorf JR(RS). SG = Declare for Draft

Kristof Onganeat, SR, PF = Graduating

On the fence:

Paul Harris, JR, SF

Returning Starters:

Andy Rautins, SR(RS), SG/SF

Rick Jackson, JR, PF/C

Arinze Onuaku, SR(RS), C

Incoming players:

Wesley Johnson, JR(RS), F

Brandon Triche, FR, PG

DaShonte Riley, FR, C

James Southerland, FR, SF

Rumor mill:

--Arinze Onuaku had rather serious surgery on his troubled knee a few weeks ago and has been seen walking around Manley Fieldhouse on crutches the past week or so. The doctors and trainers say recovery time is between 4-6 months.

-- The Paul Harris/Jim Boeheim never ending feud, well, isn't over. A few weeks ago Boeheim released a statement on behalf of Eric Devendorf, Paul Harris, and Jonny Flynn stating that all three will enter their names into the draft. Paul Harris contacted the Syracuse Post-Standard less than a week later stating that he did NOT intend to enter his name and that he couldn't contact any of his coaches because he left his phone in a Memphis hotel during the Sweet 16. Originally, Harris stated that he would test the NBA waters since he thought Boeheim officially filed his declaration papers, but since learning that no such thing happened, has still not filed those papers himself. Leaving me, all of my sources, and, Im sure, his coach, all wondering just what exactly is going on in his head.

-- Something to keep an eye on in SU's 1st season in its post-Flynn era will be whether Boeheim decides to start redshirt Sophomore Scoop Jardine or standout Freshman Brandon Triche at Point Guard next season. Boeheim, at least publicly, seems to be giving the early lead to Triche.

Next Years schedule, so far:

-- The Orange are scheduled to take place in the 2009 2k Classic at Madison Square Garden. The other three teams appearing at the Garden will be Ohio State, North Carolina, and California.

-- SU is also scheduled to play the University of Florida in the Big East/SEC (non) challenge in Tampa, Florida.

-- The Memphis Tigers will be visiting the Carrier Dome as well next season, as the two sides complete the back end of a home-and-home agreed to prior to last season.

Once again, I enjoyed all of the discussion we had last season...And wish everyone here a good offseason, and I look forward to discussing more as next season roles around.

Enjoy, and, GO ORANGE!

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Villanova departing players:

Dante Cunningham - F

Shane Clark - F

Dwayne Anderson - G/F

Frank Tchuisi - F (returning as a grad. assistant)

Declared for the draft but no agent:

Scottie Reynolds - PG

Returning:

Reggie Redding - SG

Antonio Pena - F

Corey Stokes - SG

Corey Fisher - PG

Recruits: (top 5 in every service #1 by rivals #2 ESPN)

Malik Wayns - PG

Dominic Cheek - SG

Mouphtaou Yarou - F/C

Isaiah Armwood - F

Transfer/Redshirt:

Maurice Sutton - F

Taylor King - F

Highlight of our non-conference schedule will probably be the season tip-off in Puerto Rico. I'm not sure if there are any other big games in the early schedule.

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Lawson and Ellington just declared yesterday so as of now the Heels next year will look like:

Backcourt:

Larry Drew(So.), Marcus Ginyard(Sr.), Leslie McDonald(Fr.), Dexter Strickland(Fr.), Justin Watts(So.)

Frontcourt:

Deon Thompson(Sr.), Ed Davis(So.), Tyler Zeller(So.), John Henson(Fr.), Will Graves(Jr.), Travis Wear(Fr.), David Wear(Fr.)

That is amazing frontcourt depth but the backcourt will leave alot to be desired unless McDonald and Strickland are ready to go as freshman. The Heels will likely still have a chance a John Wall now that lawson and Ellington have declared but we'll see.

This team has a Championship frontcourt but unless they get Wall or LD takes a big step forward their backsourt maye keep them from being really good.

Departing players: Hansbrough, Green, Frasor, Lawson, Ellington, Copeland

Returning players: Ginyard, Zeller, Thompson, Davis, Watts, Drew,

Freshman class(rated #1 by most): John Henson, Travis & David Wear, Leslie McDonald, Dexter Strickland

As far as the sched. They have a tremendous non-conf schedule highlighted by:

-Coaches vs. Cancer Tourney in NYC w/ SU, Cal and Ohio State(they will likely play 2 of those 3 teams)

-at Kentucky

-vs. Michigan State in ACC/Big 10 Challenge

-at Texas in the Cowboys new Stadium

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I think SU's 09 recruiting class is going to be viewed as one of the most underrated in school history. Dashonte Riley is a 6'11 long armed, strong, Center that is a little raw on offense but will possibly see some time this season subbing in for A-O and Rick Jackson, and could very well be a key player in the Orange 2-3 zone in his soph-sr years after A-O's departure following this season. He happened to also sneak into the ESPNU top 100 last weekend. Brandon Triche is another highly underrated recruit who was voted the Gatorade Player award for best PG in the nation...Yet he is only a 3 star recruit because of a knee injury which caused him to miss AAU and summer leagues last year. He figures to see a lot of playing time this year, as he splits PG duties with Scoop Jardine. James Southerland is another player that may take a few years to get adjusted to the college level, but given his shooting and driving abilities, can very well see a lot of time and have a major impact a few years down the road as well. Factor in transfer Wes Johnson, who figures to start immediately at the 3 and have a major impact this year, and thats 4 players that will all have major impacts at some point in there college careers.

BTW: Eric Devendorf officially signed with an agent yesterday afternoon. Paul Harris entered his name into the draft but will not hire an agent until he starts going through workouts.

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