Author: Brad Klein
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Keifer Sykes is Everything Right with TBT
Boeheim’s Army took the The Basketball Tournament crown last night over Team 23. That gives Syracuse fans something to cheer about after seven years of agony for their beloved alums. It also gives each player an $80,000 paycheck. But it’s possible that the title or the Zelle payment aren’t even the most valuable prizes. After…
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Who’s Standing Between Boeheim’s Army and the TBT Crown?
With all eyes on Boeheim’s Army’s long-awaited TBT run, it’s time to meet the squad they lace up against for the team’s first TBT championship. This is the first time Team 23 is playing for the title since its first season in 2015. Since then, they have gone 3-4, taking 2020 off. Unlike Boeheim’s Army,…
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How Much did Barstool Disrespect the Dome?
Nothing screams Syracuse more than the Dome itself. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to its critics when Syracuse fans scream in defense of the Dome. Barstool recently posted a map identifying the best college basketball venues in each state. According to these judges, Hinkle Fieldhouse isn’t the historic hub of college basketball. Despite…
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Arms Race: The ACC Needs to Add these Schools
With the College Football Playoff likely expanding, and the cash flow ramping up to more and more schools for high-market TV deals, the entire nation is one big conference Rubik’s Cube. Oklahoma and Texas no longer feel the need to hide from the SEC in pursuit of a CFP spot and nationwide marketability. So, now…
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2022 4-Star Target Rises in the Rankings. What Does that Mean for SU?
It seems like the recent strategy for Syracuse basketball recruiting has been find underrated guys, get them on campus and have them sign on the dotted line before anyone realizes how good they are. That’s not the case in 2022, and that should be refreshing to Orange fans. Sharpshooting small forward Chris Bunch was just…
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Which Team Makes the Most Sense for Alan Griffin?
Well, he’s not coming back. As much as that might sting for Syracuse fans, it’s time to accept him as a potential alumni the Orange can be proud of rather than a missing piece to the puzzle that shouldn’t be missing. For the sake of this column, let’s narrow down Griffin’s NBA options to the…
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Ranking the Non-SU Boeheim’s Army Soldiers
Some might argue that four outside guys is too many for Boeheim’s Army, a squad many fans look to for nostalgia and hopefully a TBT championship. But others would argue that after coming up short the past few years, it’s time to dip into the talent pool from beyond, and take over TBT. But these…
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What Will NIL Look Like for SU Athletics?
Syracuse Athletics is already trying to get behind the wheel of the runaway train that name, image and likeness could be for the NCAA. SU announced a partnership with INFLCR (pronounced ‚ÄúInfluencer‚Äù) to help its athletes navigate new NIL rules. That’s the behind the scenes stuff, the nitty gritty. Everyone, including the athletes want to…
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Justin Taylor’s Syracuse Player Comparison
It’s never fair to compare one player to another, especially when they played in different eras. But the best way for Syracuse fans to understand what they’re getting in Justin Taylor is to do just that. At 6-foot-5, 180 lbs, Taylor will remind Orange fans of Andy Rautins. The 2010 All-Big East selection stood at…
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So, it’s Over for Dior Johnson. But You Knew That.
It’s officially official. Dior Johnson isn’t coming to Syracuse. That’s not new. What is new is his commitment to Oregon. That might come as a surprise to Syracuse fans. After all, the rumor was that Johnson dropped his commitment to SU because of academic struggles. For that reason, the consensus was that Johnson would take…
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Just How Good is SU Hoops’ Offense?
It seems a little premature to be talking about how effective the Syracuse offense will be on the hardwood in 2021-2022. But Head Coach Jim Boeheim recently said that even after losing three of their top four scorers, the Orange will be a “really, really good” scoring team. A lot of Syracuse fans are likely…
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Can SU’s Offensive Line Survive Without Willie Tyler?
Syracuse fans might be scrambling right now with Texas offensive line transfer Willie Tyler parting ways with the Orange program before even stepping foot on campus. For a while he seemed like just what SU needed to protect their signal caller, whoever that might be this season. Although one could argue that position is in…
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Which SU Football Alum is Poised for a Breakout Season?
Mandatory minicamps in the NFL are right around the corner, and while stars like Aaron Rodgers get all the press for not attending OTA’s, the Orange have been well represented in the optional lead-ups to the season. A lot of hard work is going unnoticed, and someone is going to shock a lot of people.…
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Why Should You Care About SU Lax Right Now?
Ever since the Fizz’s inception, Syracuse fans have flooded the site for Syracuse basketball and football recruiting news, insider information and the latest SU buzz. Before the Chase Scanlan investigation, the women’s run to the championship game, and now Hall of Famer John Desko’s “retirement”, lacrosse was nowhere to be found on the Syracuse blogosphere.…
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Can Oshae Brissett Make Team Canada?
Oshae Brissett is one of 21 players who accepted an invite to the Senior Men‚Äôs National Team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament training camp. The neighbors to the North haven’t made the Olympics in men’s basketball since 2000. They haven’t reached the podium since 1936, the first year of the program. Now that they’re hosting the…
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SU Athletics Reminds us What Memorial Day is all About
Let’s not forget why you’re off from work and the kids are off from school today. Memorial Day is a chance for you to celebrate what you have with who you love. Maybe that’s at the beach, on the golf course, or at home because others aren’t so lucky. But whatever you do on Memorial…
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John Bol Ajak is Coming Back. Now What?
Every Syracuse fan probably had the same reaction when they heard the news that John Bol Ajak withdrew his name from the transfer portal. Something along the lines of, “Oh, um… ok.” The truth is Ajak hasn’t done anything in his two years (one redshirt season) on the Hill to evoke a real response from…
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What Does this Postseason Mean for Melo?
Ever since Carmelo Anthony‚Äôs championship freshman campaign (likely the best one-and-done ever), titles have eluded him. Melo is going to the Hall of Fame when he retires as a scoring champion, 10-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection. The Larry O‚ÄôBrien trophy is the only thing missing from his mantle. So an NBA crown, even as…
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What are SU’s Chances of Landing Zion Steptoe?
While all eyes are on the quarterback of the future, Dino Babers’ coaching staff is doing everything it can to surround that mystery man behind center with weapons. The Orange reeled in three-star tailback LeQuint Allen for the Class of 2022. But that class needs some help on the outside. The recent offer to Zion…
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Could Demetris Nichols be the Answer?
The longstanding gripe Syracuse basketball fans have had with the program is the inability to recruit upper-echelon centers. The last true big man the Orange had to anchor the Zone was Rakeem Christmas. But he only contributed at an elite level in his senior season (2014-2015). It was supposed to be DaJuan Coleman, but injuries…
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Top Three Former SU Hoopers Primed for an NBA Return
The ball doesn’t stop bouncing after college for a lot of Syracuse basketball players, even the ones who don’t quite make the league out of college. While Alan Griffin and Quincy Guerrier are probing the NBA draft waters with a lot of skepticism, it’s time to check up on the guys still trying to make…
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How Should Mama Boeheim Feel About This Syracuse Season?
With Mother’s Day in the rearview mirror, the gifts given and the Hallmark cards exchanged, Juli Boeheim is hoping both of her sons shine in the Dome next year. She won’t have to mix and match orange and Cornell red anymore. Jimmy and Buddy are on the same squad, but nobody knows exactly what to…
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If the NCAA Approves This, Call it the Sidibe Statute
Over the next few days, the NCAA is meeting in Indianapolis to discuss possible college basketball rule changes. Some are more likely to be approved than others, but one presents an interesting opportunity for Syracuse especially. There have been rumblings of a modified six-foul rule, unlike the six foul limit in the NBA. With it,…
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Here’s Why Quincy Guerrier is Transferring
Just add fuel to the fire. Quincy Guerrier isn’t coming back to Syracuse if and when he bows out of the NBA Draft process. Instead, he’ll transfer, making it five from last year’s roster and seven departed when you factor in Marek Dolezaj and Alan Griffin turning pro. A lot of people assumed with last…
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Fizz Radio 5/1: Newton Loses Trust, SU QB Room, 5 Star Review
On this edition of Fizz Radio, Brad Klein and Cameron Ezeir debate the level of trust Syracuse fans should have in the Orange coaching staff after Woody Newton lost faith. Plus, Dino Babers says this is the most talented QB room he has seen on the Hill.
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Orange Selected: NFL Draft Day 2 Recap
As expected, Syracuse had a good second night of the Draft. All-American safety Andre Cisco was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the first pick of the third round, while cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu was drafted 101st overall, also in the third round, by the Detroit Lions. The general consensus is that these two are talented…
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Woody Newton Lost Trust in SU, Should You?
The mass exodus from Syracuse basketball makes it pretty clear. Seven departed players after a Sweet 16 run screams a lack of trust in where the program is going. So when Woody Newton told the Oklahoman that he transferred to Oklahoma State because he couldn’t trust the Orange coaching staff, it’s important to ask how…
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What Does Oshae Brissett’s Success Mean for SU?
After bouncing around the G-League for two years, Oshae Brissett finally has an NBA home. The Indiana Pacers signed him to a three-year deal after two straight 10-day contracts. Four straight starts later, it seems clear that this is no fluke. With centers Myles Turner (toe) and Goga Bitadze (ankle), Brissett was given an opportunity…
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Syracuse Basketball’s Current 2021-2022 Rotation
Syracuse basketball is going to look a lot different in 2021-2022. For the sake of this projected rotation, we will only work with the players on the roster. Point Guards Joe Girard Symir Torrence Syracuse fans are probably already shaking in their boots at the prospect of not having such a dynamic six-man like Kadary…
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Is Charlotte Really the Best Place for Braswell?
It’s safe to say that while Robert “Big Game Bobby” Braswell became a fan-favorite with his glimpses of greatness, he is a very replaceable asset. Benny Williams will likely command the ball and may never leave the floor. Now with Cole Swider and Jimmy Boeheim, the shooting is not an issue either. So it makes…
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Will Alan Griffin Be Back at SU?
The mass exodus from the Syracuse basketball program makes it hard to entertain the possibility that Alan Griffin will return to college after declaring for the NBA Draft. The junior left Illinois for Syracuse to show his scoring versatility, which he did in just one year on the Hill. The only question is was he…
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The Departed: How Will Syracuse’s Transfers Perform?
This isn’t the first mass exodus Syracuse basketball has seen recently. Prior to last season, the Orange lost three guards. Howard Washington (South Alabama), Jalen Carey (Rhode Island) and Brycen Goodine (Providence). Washington opted out of this season. Carey only averaged about four points per game. Goodine didn’t even average two points per game, a…
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Fizz Radio 4/10: Dolezaj Turns Pro, Kamari Lands Commits
Thomas Shults and Brad Klein look back on Marek Dolezaj’s scrappy Syracuse career, reassess the state of Syracuse basketball, and dissect what Kamari Lands’ recruitment means for the Orange.
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Alright, is Buddy Boeheim Really This Good?
Buddy Boeheim is making the country pay attention to Syracuse basketball right now. It’s not just that he led the Orange to the Sweet 16. It’s more than that. Boeheim’s recent excellence, his relationship with his father, and his newfound swagger makes Syracuse basketball cool again. While the fans and the program reap the benefits…
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Ultimate Selection Sunday Viewing Guide
Selection Sunday is fast-approaching, and it seems like every Syracuse fan will have their eyes glued to the TV, waiting to discover the Orange’s fate. Maybe SU will be in the First Four. Maybe the Orange won’t make it at all. Either way, here’s what you need to know for Selection Sunday. Date: March 14…
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Can Buddy Carry SU on a March Run?
After seeing what Buddy Boeheim was able to do in the second and third rounds of the ACC Tournament, it seems like the sky is the limit for the junior. Boeheim racked up a career high 31 points against Virginia in the eliminator to go along with 27 against NC State. It’s the best two…
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