NCAA Basketball: 8 programs with rough starts to 2023 offseason
8. Syracuse Orange
It’s been an offseason of ups and downs, but mainly downs. It started with the “retirement” of head coach Jim Boeheim, replaced by assistant Adrian Autry. The roster didn’t change too much as a result, with Joe Girard transferring out but being replaced in the backcourt by Notre Dame guard, JJ Starling.
The problem was what happened this past week. Starting center Jesse Edwards suddenly entered the portal and within a week, announced his intentions to join West Virginia. He all but said that NIL, and the reluctance of the Orange to help out, was the reason for his departure.
Add that with high-profile booster Adam Weitsman saying that he won’t support the program anymore financially, and that’s a major hit to what Syracuse Basketball. They’re in the same conference as Miami and its booster John Ruiz, who played a big part in the roster being Final Four good this past season.
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Roster-wise, the Orange is okay right now, assuming that Auburn transfer Chance Westry has an impact. But it’s what has happened off the court that is making this program look bad and in this era where NIL is playing a prevalent role, it’s hard to see how they can become a top-tier ACC team again.