D.A.: “Beware of digesting DC’s decision with more a sigh of relief than jubilation. Despite the ever-present fear he would choose elswhere, Orange Nation should be thrilled right now. The prospect of losing a top 5 recruit from your backyard after putting in so much effort would have been devastating, but this could truly be a difference-maker for SU. Props also to Team Coleman. They clearly identified three finalists early on, laid out a reasonable timetable and eventually took the only official visits he needed (SU and UK). When The Fizz has spoken to him, he’s come off as mature and level-headed (which he also did in today’s press conference). This is rare for a young man who has had the college basketball world thrown at him since middle school. Remember how far SU hoops has come. In the years following the glory era of the 80s, Jim Boeheim was not pulling in highly ranked recruiting classes, instead developing talent and grooming lesser athletes. But the last decade has been a steady cascade of McDonald’s All-Americans and elite players. Troy Weaver, Rob Murphy, Mike Hopkins and now Adrian Autry have changed the expectations of the talent SU can collect. What a five-day period for Syracuse fans. A tipping-point win for the football program and now the truest of game-changers for the hoops squad. Add in a preseason top 5 basketball team (without Coleman) plus a move to the ACC, and Syracuse may be entering it’s modern golden age.”
Craig Hoffman: “There was massive concern in Orange Nation when Rob Murphy left for Eastern Michigan. While there was concern about losing his ability on the bench, the big question is would SU be able to keep it up on the recruiting trail. Arinze Onuaku, Donte Green, Wes Johnson, Kris Joseph and many others were Murphy’s guys. He helped bring in the Three Amigos. And then there was DaJuan Coleman looming. Hopkins was the lead, but having Murphy around wouldn’t be a bad thing. Now, with Coleman headed to SU, Jerami Grant in the bag and Amile Jefferson still in the wings, Murphy’s name isn’t being brought up at all. Does that mean that Murphy really wasn’t that good? No, but it does mean that Hoptry might just be able to pick up where Murphkins left off.”
Steve Neikam: “Dajuan Coleman’s commitment is a monumental recruiting victory for a few reasons. First, the possibility of a prospect this highly touted growing up around the SU program and spending years building relationships with the coaching staff only to jilt them at the altar would have been devastating. Also, this commitment goes a long way towards supporting SU’s standing as a national recruiting power. Make no mistake about it, with Kentucky and Ohio State involved, Coleman’s recruitment was a national battle, even if it was fought on Syracuse turf. Coach Cal is the recruiting Godfather because of his charm and knack for churning out lottery picks. Anytime you can beat the Don, it’s a major victory. Calipari doesn’t often lose recruits he highly covets, but this time Boeheim, Hopkins and company protected their turf and sent Cal away empty-handed. The ability of this staff to win high-profile battles like this one will only become important as the program prepares for head-to-head competition with Duke and Carolina.”
- Read The Fizz’s Archive of Dajuan Coleman’s Recruitment
