Both the Syracuse men’s basketball and football programs are sitting in a bit of a ditch.
Jim Boeheim and company have no postseason implications to play for these next few weeks, while Scott Shafer and Orange football reunite this spring to rebound from a dismal 3-9 season on the gridiron. These head coaches, however, each have lights at the end of the tunnel to move past these tough times: prized recruits for the future.
We’ll start with Boeheim. With the self-imposed postseason ban set, The Per’Fesser has simply challenged his current roster to close the regular season as strong as possible. But let’s not fool ourselves here. We very well know Boeheim and his staff are keeping tabs on the 2015 prospects that unite as what Boeheim likes to call SU’s best recruiting class ever. The missing piece to the puzzle remains Rochester native, talented big man Thomas Bryant.
As for Shafer, the third-year head man has transitioned into spring football practice inside the practice facility. Losing nine of ten to close last season may be hard to forget. Shafer needs appropriate personnel to take more steps forward in furthering the program. Syracuse had to accept the fallout of 2014, 4-star WR KJ Williams, and failed to reel in a prospect 4-stars or higher in the 2015 class. The whispers of 2016 RB Robert Washington heavily considering the Orange, though, does provide some promise.
With all that said, who ya got? If you had to pick one of these recruits to enroll at Syracuse, do you go with Bryant, or Washington?
- Bryant’s Case
Even though the men’s hoops squad has played well with the top physical teams in the ACC, it’s done so with Rakeem Christmas manning the middle. Bryant ensures a valuable replacement with his length and scoring ability. Place Bryant in a rotation already gelled between the injured pair of DaJuan Coleman and Chris McCullough. Not a bad mix. Big picture, it’s obvious the hoops program guarantees winning immediately. SU loses Rak after this season. If you’re impatient with SU football’s slow grooming process, vote Bryant.
- Washington’s Case
An instant face. That’s Washington. He’s already on record he wants to wear #44 and literally carry the load for the Orange to return to relevance. As The Fizz noted, Syracuse.com reports Washington has SU in his Top Six, recently adding the Orange as well as TCU and North Carolina. Oh, and how ironic: he has 44 total offers. Maybe it’s a sign. Washington also plans to announce his choice in April instead of March. Sooner rather than later gives Syracuse the better chance When you’ve got HCs like Nick Saban talking on the phone with him for 30 minutes or so comparing him to Marshawn Lynch, Washington cannot just hang up. HIs case relates similarly to former SU recruit, current Clemson DE Ebenezer Ogundeko. He played the game smartly and let the process ride out completely. The fact that Washington wants to decide right away means he wants to feel at home quickly. So if you believe SU football still embraces a home-feel and you’re sick and tired of football missing an identity, vote Washington.
What do you guys think?
