Author: Tyler Aitken
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Anatomy of a Disaster: Not Enough Talent
There are so many issues with Syracuse men’s basketball this year. The Orange are on track to have a losing record for just the second time in the last 50 years. That doesn’t happen in a program like SU’s without issues at every level: coaches, players, and even overall roster managements. But at the end…
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Boston College loses to Syracuse in 3OT
Boston College fell 95-86 to Syracuse in triple-overtime yesterday. The phrasing of that is important. While yes, SU certainly deserve more credit, this game was mostly decided by the fact that the Eagles made more mistakes than the Orange. The ‘Cuse certainly made enough mistakes to lose, had BC not been even worse. With 20…
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Putting 2024-25 Syracuse Basketball in its Historical Context
Syracuse basketball is historically bad this year. That phrase, or something similar to it, has been thrown around by many Syracuse media members, fans, and others this season, and the conversation has gotten louder with every game. It’s true, but to be honest, it’s not good enough to just leave it at that. Let’s put…
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Marlowe Wax Kicks Off Syracuse Football All-Star Participation
Marlowe Wax gave Syracuse football a great start to the program’s participation in college football all-star games this offseason. On Saturday, the Hula Bowl, the first all-star game for college football players, was held down in Orlando, Florida. The Orange linebacker was a late invite to the bowl, but when he got there, he took…
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Defense: The Looming Concern for Syracuse Football
The hype and confidence around Syracuse football are higher than they’ve been in decades. The Orange just won 10 games this year, have a bona fide star of a head coach in Fran Brown, and there’s even hope that Kyle McCord could return at quarterback next year. Most fans are balancing the hope they have…
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How The First 12-Team CFP Could Hurt Syracuse
The first 12-team College Football Playoff, or CFP, is about halfway over. Unfortunately for Syracuse, what’s happened so far could hurt the Orange’s chances to both get in and advance going forward. ACC Disappointments It was a great sign for the ACC that the conference got two teams into the CFP. Clemson pretty much had…
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Fizz Report Card: Syracuse 102, UAlbany 85
Syracuse put up its best performance of the season in a 102-85 win over UAlbany on Tuesday night. That makes for some pretty good grades, but there’s still plenty of room to grow. After all, this is what an ACC team is supposed to look like against UAlbany. Jaquan Carlos: A This performance is what…
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Syracuse Needs to Run the 2-3 Zone
Syracuse basketball has irreversible schematic problems with its defense. This defense is worse than it’s been in my entire lifetime of watching the Orange play basketball. Transition defense has been bad, closeouts have been bad, rotations have been bad, and players aren’t even putting their hands up to pressure a shooter at times. Syracuse let…
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Why I Think Kiyan Anthony IS Choosing Syracuse
Firstly, I’d like to apologize to Fizz Nation for the woefully misinformed opinion posted by my colleague, and friend, Dan Papillo earlier today. He claimed that he doesn’t “see a world where Kiyan chooses Syracuse.” Wow. Just wow. Now, I’m no recruiting expert. I personally have no informed insight into where Kiyan Anthony, the son…
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Syracuse Can’t Lost to Colgate This Year
Colgate has been a respectable opponent for Syracuse basketball over the last few years. The Orange won every matchup from 1963 to 2020, but then, the Raiders won two in a row. Those were impressive wins for Colgate too, with a 100-point performance in 2021 and a 12-point win in 2022. Last year, it took…
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Does Fran Brown Have a Penalties Problem?
Fran Brown might have a penalties problem. Well, at some point. Syracuse football’s head coach has been impressive in a lot of ways through his first few games. He managed the clock masterfully in SU’s win over Ohio, he’s been an inspiring leader in press conferences, and he’s gotten the most out of long-time Orange…
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How Will Fran Brown Come Off Syracuse’s Bye?
Fran Brown has checked a lot of boxes during his first two games as Syracuse’s head coach. He’s managed the clock well, installed a successful offense, and made good defensive adjustments. Still, there’s a lot of challenges Brown hasn’t had to deal with yet. Right now, he’s in the midst of handling his first bye…
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When Could Syracuse Football Get Ranked?
Syracuse football is 2-0 and is coming off a win over Georgia Tech, a team that was No. 23 in the nation at the time of the game. While the Yellow Jackets fell out of the AP Top 25, the Orange haven’t moved into it yet. SU did, however, receive 63 votes this week, which…
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Kyle McCord is a Heisman Contender
Kyle McCord is a Heisman contender. No, that’s not an overreaction. Syracuse football knocked off No. 23 Georgia Tech 31-28 today. While the Orange’s special teams unit had an abysmal day and there were still issues with SU’s run defense, that will all be covered plenty over the next two weeks. Today, Syracuse fans should…
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What’s Wrong With the Otto’s Army Blue Out? Nothing.
Otto’s Army, the leadership of Syracuse’s student section, has been a big part of the Syracuse fandom for years. They constantly get criticized for students leaving games early, showing up late to games, or having smaller showings for less-important games. Some of that criticism is fair. However, Otto’s Army is now being called out for……
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Marlowe Wax Out For Syracuse Football, Who Steps Up?
Marlowe Wax, Syracuse football’s star linebacker, left Saturday’s 38-22 win over Ohio with a lower-body injury. He was seen with a boot on afterwards, and head coach Fran Brown says that Wax is expected to be out for six weeks. Who’s going to step up in his place? Derek McDonald Derek McDonald has stepped up…
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Syracuse Football Depth Chart: Three Questions
Syracuse football just released its first depth chart of the season, and therefore, the first depth chart of the Fran Brown era. There were a lot of players that slotted in exactly where we expected them, but still some surprises ahead of SU’s season-opener against Ohio on Saturday. Where’s Justus Ross Simmons? Justus Ross-Simmons, a…
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Syracuse Football Rooting Interests: Week 0
College football is less than 48 hours away! While there are only four games in week 0, and Syracuse football doesn’t play, there’s still relevant games for Orange fans. Here’s who to root for if you want the best-case scenario for the ‘Cuse. New Mexico vs. Montana State: N/A Neither of these teams play Syracuse…
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Is the ACC the Worst Power Conference in College Football?
The ACC has gotten the short end of the stick in college football over the past few years. In each of the last three seasons, the conference has been completely left out of the College Football Playoff. That was particularly rough last year, when Florida State went 13-0 and were the ACC Champions, yet got…
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Marlowe Wax Named to Third Preseason Watch List
Marlowe Wax, a linebacker for Syracuse football, has picked up nominations to three major preseason watch lists over the course of the summer. First, all the way back in May, Wax was put on the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. The trophy has been handed out for the last 20 seasons to college football’s most…
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AP Poll Announced, Good News For Syracuse Football
Syracuse football has an easy schedule in 2024. It’s been said over and over and over again (guilty as charged). The release of the first AP Top 25 College Football Poll is another good reminder of that fact. In the Orange’s 12-game slate, there are only two ranked opponents: #19 Miami and #24 NC State.…
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Chance Westry Cleared to Play
Chance Westry hasn’t played a game of college basketball in over a year. Now, according to On3’s Joe Tipton, he’s finally cleared to play again. Westry’s career has taken some wild turns so far. He was a top-40 recruit in the class of 2022 in most rankings. Westry, a combo guard, is originally from Pennsylvania,…
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Which Syracuse Pass Catchers Will Be Left Out?
There are a lot of players that Syracuse fans want to see succeed this year, particularly on offense. Two big names are coming back from season-long injuries, there are several transfers and freshman coming in, plus the normal returning talent. Here’s the thing: not everyone will succeed this year. It just isn’t possible. Why can’t…
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Fizz Five 8/5: Training Camp Begins!
Tyler Aitken and Dan Papillo break down ACC Kickoff and the beginning of Syracuse football training camp.
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Syracuse Ranked 12th in ACC Preseason Poll
Yesterday, 170 media voters submitted their ACC Preseason Poll for the upcoming football season. The votes were tallied, and when it was all said and done, Syracuse was picked to finish 12th in the conference. That, to be quite blunt, is disrespectful to what the Orange have done this offseason. New head coach Fran Brown…
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Don’t Forget About Justus Ross-Simmons
Justus Ross-Simmons is a name that hasn’t been mentioned enough by Syracuse fans this offseason. It’s understandable, in a way. Kyle McCord is the most highly-touted transfer the Orange have acquired in recent memory, so he’s gotten more attention than any other offensive newcomer. In terms of other weapons, Oronde Gadsden should be healthy again…
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Kiyan Anthony Includes Syracuse in Final Six Schools
Kiyan Anthony, a 2025 four-star recruit, included Syracuse as one of his final six schools that he’s considering. The son of Orange great Carmelo Anthony released the list on Thursday evening. Anthony is ranked as a consensus top-40 player in the class of 2025. The guard is considering Syracuse, along with Auburn, Florida State, Ohio…
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Judah Mintz Impresses in NBA Summer League
Judah Mintz had his work cut out for him when he decided to leave Syracuse for the NBA. He wasn’t projected to get drafted, and as expected, was passed over for all 58 picks. After that, it took a few days to land on an NBA Summer League roster. However, since signing a Summer League…
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Ranking Syracuse Football Road Trips in 2024
Syracuse football games at the Dome are going to be fun to go to this year. Season tickets are going fast, and even single-game tickets are a hot commodity. Don’t be surprised if there’s a few sell outs this fall. Still, due to some fun out-of-conference games and a new-look ACC, there’s going to be…
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Syracuse Football Falls in 2025 Recruiting Rankings
At one point, Syracuse football’s class of 2025 recruits was ranked inside the top-20 in the nation according to ESPN. However, since the Orange peaked at 18, they’ve now dropped to 29. However, that isn’t as worrying as it seems. SU was aggressive with recruiting for 2025. After all, it will be new head coach…
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Cole Swider’s Two-Way Contract Withdrawn
After two solid performances in the NBA Summer League, Cole Swider has had his two-way contract revoked by the Miami Heat. He’s now an unrestricted free agent. Swider started his career as an unrestricted free agent for the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2022. He played limited minutes in the NBA, but was a starter…
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Top Four #4’s in Syracuse Basketball History
The number 44 has brought about a lot of controversy in the Syracuse basketball community over the last few weeks. On a lighter note, with it being the 4th of July, let’s run through the top four Orange players to wear “4” on their jerseys. Honorable Mention: Wesley Johnson Wesley Johnson was truly dominant at…
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Donnie Freeman: Projected First-Round Pick in 2025
Donnie Freeman might finally break a disappointing streak for Syracuse basketball. With no former Orange players getting picked in the 2024 NBA Draft, SU now has its longest drought of having a draftee since the early 1960s. The last time a ‘Cuse player was selected was in 2020, when Elijah Hughed was taken in the…
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Jesse Edwards, Former Syracuse Center, Inks NBA Deal
A former Syracuse basketball player has just signed a deal with an NBA team. However, it wasn’t Judah Mintz, who had fallen completely out of most mock drafts by the week before the draft. Instead, it was Jesse Edwards, the center who transferred and spent his final college season at West Virginia. The Netherlands native…
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Judah Mintz Not Projected to Be Drafted
In the spring of 2023, Syracuse guard Judah Mintz had a decision to make: enter the NBA Draft, or come back to play another year for the Orange. In the end, he decided to return, but Mintz’s draft stock didn’t rise much over the following year. Still, Mintz went all in on the 2024 NBA…
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College GameDay Picks Syracuse as ACC Sleeper
College GameDay has been the pinnacle of college football since it started airing in 1993. It visits the best matchups every week, which in turn favors powerhouse programs. Ohio State, for example, has hosted 23 times and appeared 59 times. However, there are six schools that have never hosted the crew: California, Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers,…
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