A 2016 recruiting class that, as of now, only sees the Orange bringing in a pair of players is ranked as the 21st best in the nation by ESPN. Syracuse is set to bring in Guard Tyus Battle and Forward Matthew Moyer. Things may only get better for the Orange as they are in the midst of a massive recruiting weekend. 
This weekend, seven potential recruits are visiting the hill including uncommitted four-star forward Taurean Thompson. In addition, the Orange are hosting a pair of graduate transfer guards with year of eligibility remaining in former Michigan Wolverine Spike Albrecht and former Colorado Sate Ram John Gillon.
If Syracuse can land another recruit this weekend, the Orange are sure to jump into the top 20 in the class rankings. More importantly, Syracuse has the chance to add, at least one, much needed piece this weekend. Syracuse’s current roster is lacking an experienced guard that can mentor the young guards in Franklin Howard and Tyus Battle. It can be argued that the lack of a mentor contributed to Kaleb Joseph’s struggles. He was thrown into the fire the second he stepped onto to campus and was clearly overwhelmed by the role.
Though Battle may prove to be more talented than both of the two transfer guards, they have college basketball experience and they can teach him, not how to play basketball, but how to handle the life and pressure of a college basketball player.
On the other side, the Orange have a big chance to add a solid 2016 freshman in Taurean Thompson. Syracuse desperately needs depth in the frontcourt, even with the addition of Pascal Chukwu and Thompson could prove to be a crucial player early in his college career.
In short, the class of 2016 is looking strong as the calendar turns from April to May and, as early as this weekend, it has the chance to get even stronger. Syracuse has the chance to not just move up in the recruitment rankings, but also to address some needs and get this 2016-17 team to that next level, whether Malachi Richardson returns to school or not. 
