It’s time to dream for Syracuse fans as one of the nation’s top center recruits, Nerlens Noel, has reclassified to the class of 2012. The Tilton School (MA) has SU on his list, along with Kentucky, Uconn, Providence, Florida, Georgetown and UNC. Noel is a game changing prospect who has been compared to Anthony Davis. If the Orange could land him it would be an embarrassment of riches in the front court, even if Fab left for the NBA.
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How serious is Noel about SU? He’s already made an unofficial visit to the Hill and has now scheduled an official to SU for February 11. Syracuse coaches have attended a handful of Noel‚Äôs high school games. The interest is there on both sides, the question is can the Orange beat out some of the top programs in the country?
Syracuse has to be considered one of the favorites for Noel along with Kentucky. It could come down to Calipari vs. Boeheim again just like for DaJuan Coleman. It’s still very early in the process though, and the other schools can’t be counted out. Noel says he will make all of his visits. Just how desperate will other programs be for a big man with the talent of Nerlens?
Noel is an incredible shot blocker and has the potential to have an enormous impact on the defensive end. He also has incredible jumping ability and plenty of athleticism, which Jim Boeheim loves in the middle of that zone. Noel is powerful around the basket, but needs to work on his jump shot. That’s not unlike many Syracuse recruits through the years, but he’s very developed on the defensive end.
Some may question if there‚Äôs enough minutes for the uber-talented Noel, especially due to his one and done potential. With a potential Melo return, Rakeem Christmas, Baye Keita, and¬†DaJuan Coleman already up front, SU’s frontcourt is stacked. However, Fab‚Äôs turbulent time at SU, big man potential,¬†and being older than most college sophomores, he may decide to head to the NBA.
Regardless of Fab, Syracuse has to make a big play for Noel because of his natural gifts. The Orange will have to sell Noel on the program itself (winning, atmosphere, facilities), because it just can’t offer the minutes other schools can. Syracuse fans can dream of a Noel/Christmas/Coleman front court next season. What a dream that is.
Posted: Alex Plavin
12 responses to “Top Recruit Nerlens Noel Reclassifies, Official Visit to Syracuse Next Weekend”
If SU cuts down the nets, Fab is likely gone. I suspect Baye will be redshirted next year so remove him from the conversation. Boeheim said that the plan was to redshirt Baye last year, but then DaShonte Riley got hurt and they had to play Baye. Had DaShonte not transferred, I suspect Baye would have redshirted this year. Baye is a limited player, and needs the full 5 years in order to maximize whatever potential he has. So in reality, you are talking about Noel, Coleman and Rakeem. Coleman will start at the 4 next year and C.J./James will battle it out to start at the 3. Rakeem will play the 4 and the 5, but Noel is a must get. He would start immediately if Fab goes pro. The kid is the best shot blocker to come around in a long time, and his offensive game doesn’t have to be but so polished. He just needs to be able to catch Dion and MCW’s alley oops. Bottom line is that there is more playing time there for Nerlens than it may appear on the surface. It would be best for Fab to come back for another year, but if he’s a projected as a lottery pick, he’s gone. I have a friend who’s a Carolina fan, and all their boards (and everything I’ve read) says this is down to SU and Cheatapari. If he wants to stay closer to home, and even play in Boston, he’s coming to SU. We have a real shot at this kid. I think he’s going to be blown away by 34,000 in the Dome going crazy as SU puts the wood to UConn. I wish I was still going to that game, but fatherly duties trump even the beloved Orange.
I agree with Orangeskin, there will be minutes for this guy if he chooses to be Orange.
A defensive presence like this is something JB dreams about. I know he’s pretty high on cuse as is, just gotta hope that the coaches can reel him in.
I was already thinking next years team could be better than this years, getting this guy would only make that statement more true.
The UCONN game will be amazing, kudos to you orangeskin for having your priorities straight.
Let’s be honest here if Fab goes pro he will play maybe one or two years and then will disappear and never be heard from from again. Would be total waste just look at Jonny Flynn and the rest that have left early nowhere to be found. Only Melo remains for the knicks that’s it sad.
Flynn makes 2 mil a year that’s not bad at all he isn’t a star but he’s making dough and besides daunte green who else that’s left early has been wasted? Just think about the last time we got one of the top players we won it all Noel would do that for us if melo leaves are team quietly falls apart with Noel just look at the 3 games without him the importance of our center is a great recruiting point , as well as mentioning that ur 3rd in wins and have a crowd of 34 k … This kid just doesn’t seem like a Kentucky kid I see him in a current b.e school
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besides, I like his hair doo!!
OMG! A basketball post! Its like its basketball season or somthin? haha. Y does everyone think fab is gone? This yrs draft is goin to be so deep I dont see fab in the top 20 picks. Henson, zeller(maybe both), barnes, sully, t-rob, half kentuckys team, pj3, drawin blank on the two dudes from uconn? Thats 15 ppl that fosure be ahead of fab an I know im missin like 2-5 more. Fab would have to have a monster march to get into the top 15. Now stay one more yr an he will be no doubt a top 10 pick. Baye will get a redshirt next yr an maybe grant as well if noel comes. Tyler ennis gonna be at the dome as well durin that game. He just as big of a get as noel for the 13 class.
Don’t under-estimate Providence. He’s from NH and I believe he’s friends with Ledo. They have both Ledo and Kris-Dunn at the 1 and 2. I think he has played or knows them from AAU ball. I’m afraid if Noel reclassified to 2012 in order to play with those guys before they go 1 and done as well.
I want him in Orange, but I’m worried.
A few things…first it seems unlikely to me that Baye would be redshirted after already playing 2 years. I agree he’s nowhere near developed, but I’m not sure Boeheim would do that. As far as Fab I think due to his academic issues and first round potential he could go, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he stayed. Regardless no question there would be minutes for a guy as talented as Noel. I think Trex raises a very interesting point about Providence, with Ed Cooley they have nabbed 2 huge prospects already and Tilton is in the New England region. The Uconn atmosphere in the Dome should be a great experience for Noel and I think there’s no question Syracuse has to be right around the top of his list. Keep the comments coming guys love to hear from u
MCW is his best firend. I havent heard of anything /w dunn or ledo being good firends.
@Cuse – his option also weasn’t picked up by his team for CHEAP and he will be a free agent… that no one wants. He’s done in the NBA.
If Syracuse can land Nerlens he’s definitely going to see playing time. Theres also no way Fab will enter the draft unless he gets into more academic trouble later on this season. Winning the National Championship will make a couple guys probably leave including Dion, CJ, and maybe potentially Fab. Another thing that, in my opinion, will keep Noel away is DaJuan Coleman already committing. Calipari will get Noel to the next level quicker than any coach in the country, and thats coming from a huge Jim Boeheim fan. Syracuse needs to hit up Nerlens huge this weekend and get his interest level high because he already has a visit scheduled to Kentucky. When Calipari gets kids on campus, it’s all but over. Syracuse needs to make a lasting impression on Nerlens. Hopkins is one of the best recruiters in the country and they need to sell winning, the atmosphere and the facilities (as someone stated earlier). All in all, they definitely have a good chance at Nerlens Noel. Michael Carter-Williams being best friends with him doesn’t hurt either!!!