There’s been a lot of turnover recently when it comes to Syracuse hoops. However, most of it has been for the better.
Of course, for SU fans, experience is the definition of 47-year head coach Jim Boeheim. But there’s a new show in town, and Boeheim is mostly out of the picture.
Judah Mintz, Justin Taylor, Maliq Brown, Peter Carey, and Mounir Hima have all announced their departure. Even Gerry McNamara took a head coach spot at Siena a couple of weeks ago.
So what’s the new identity of Orange basketball going to be from here on out? That remains to be answered.
Experience needs to be the hot topic when it comes to hauling personnel to Syracuse for next season.
The Orange are off to a great start. Yes, they’ve lost a few key players, but there aren’t many surprises when it comes to who has departed.
Syracuse can build around center Eddie Lampkin Jr. who transferred from Colorado. The 6-foot-11 senior did what SU fans are hungry for.
Lampkin played three games in the NCAA Tournament, including a run from the First Four to the Round of 32. The Buffaloes’ opponents weren’t crapshoots either. Colorado played 10th-seeded Boise State, seventh-seeded Florida, and second-seeded Marquette.
Lampkin scored 13 points each in the Boise State and Marquette matchups. Plus, his 21 points against Florida were one point shy of his season-high.
Syracuse has brought in a new coach, too. Head coach Adrian Autry hired Dan Engelstad earlier this week to be his new assistant. The Maryland native brings 11 years of head coaching experience to Syracuse. Engelstad spent five seasons at D3’s Southern Vermont before he roamed the sidelines for six years at Mount Saint Mary’s.
His signature achievement was leading the Mountaineers to an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. This marked the last time SU participated in March Madness.
Syracuse can build around its new center and use Engelstad’s experience in hopes of getting back to ‘The Big Dance’ in the near future.
