The transfer portal doesn’t officially open until Monday, but Syracuse already has its hands full with rebuilding next year’s roster.
Freshman guard Elijah Moore is the second Orange player to hit the portal after it was reported that forward Chris Bell was also leaving, according to On3 Sports.
Moore’s departure isn’t that surprising considering Syracuse’s struggles this year, but it is disappointing. It feels like Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry never gave Moore a chance to prove himself with the Orange, especially after the freshman’s hot start to the season.
His best month came in December when he scored 10+ points in three games, highlighted by a 24-point performance against the Tennesee Volunteers on Dec. 3. For reference, Moore accomplished that against a team that just beat UCLA in the second round of March Madness and will be advancing to the Sweet 16.
Despite those encouraging performances, Moore struggled to maintain his hot start. After a Dec. 21 game against the Maryland Terrapins where he dropped 16 points in only 22 minutes, the freshman didn’t play more than 20 minutes in a game for the rest of the season. He only scored in double figures once, putting up 11 points in a Feb. 8 game against Boston College.
Some of the blame for Moore’s inconsistency falls on Autry’s shoulders, as he failed to give Moore a consistent spot in the rotation. Despite making the freshman a starter for the rest of the season on Jan. 7, Moore’s minutes heavily fluctuated, playing less than 10 minutes in three of those starts. Now, we’ll have to see Moore potentially achieve his potential after leaving Syracuse, which is becoming a troubling trend.
Outside of Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White, Syracuse hasn’t landed any notable talent in this recruiting class. The Orange will need to hit the transfer portal hard, especially now that Moore’s minutes also have to be replaced. His departure will put even MORE pressure on Autry in what could be a make-or-break year for Jim Boeheim’s replacement in his third year at SU.
