The Orange are now down a man for the 2015-16 season as four-star commit Moustapha Diagne has elected to enroll in a two-year college rather than attend Syracuse University, according to a press release from the Athletic Department. No reason was given for his decision. Diagne signed a letter of intent in November 2014 and is one of four freshman who were set to play for Syracuse this fall.
This could proved to a be a significant blow for the Orange this season and in the future. Diagne was the 12th rated Power Forward in the Class of 2015, according to ESPN, and could have added much needed depth to the Syracuse front court.
The health– or lack thereof– of DaJuan Coleman is still a major question mark and, though he is naturally a Power Forward rather than a Center, Diagne could have helped to alleviate some of the front court worries.
This leaves the class of 2015 with three members: Malachi Richardson, Franklin Howard and Tyler Lydon, who, as a result of Diagne’s decision, could see increased playing time in his freshman year.
Lydon was just as highly recruited as Diagne, as he was the tenth rated Power Forward in the nation, according to ESPN. There is little doubt that the Orange will need Lydon to step up as they are now down yet another scholarship player.
There are positives that can be taken away from this. The Orange will now certainly have a scholarship available for Tyus Battle in 2016. Also, the Orange can begin the scholarship reductions as part of the NCAA’s sanctions, as they are now down to ten scholarship players.
Needless to say this is a blow for the Orange as they lose a depth player for this season, and a player who could have proven a valuable player in the future.
