SYRACUSE BASKETBALL KEEPS IT SNAPPIN'

By Ron Bailey



October 22, 2008 – Syracuse University has a program similar to that infernal Energizer Bunny – it just keeps going, to competitor’s chagrin. No matter what the landscape of college hoops is, Hall of Fame member Jim Boeheim, the school’s coach, and his program never stops.

Such was the case last weekend when Baltimore, MD’s C.J. Fair orally committed to the Cuse. This Class of 2010 forward visited the school, and the decision was reached. (For a detailed report, see i95Ballerz.com).

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Many in Charm City are saying the town’s most famous hoops alum, also an ex-Syracuse star - Carmello Anthony - made a difference in the decision reached by C.J. and his dad, Carl, Sr. The same goes for recent Syracuse player and Baltimore resident, Donte Greene. Both National Basketball Association players were reportedly at the school during C.J.’s visit, and the word is they extolled the virtues of the school, in B’More-speak.

Don’t count C.J.’s high school coach, Mike Daniel in the group that believes Anthony’s impact was great.

“I don’t think so” opined Daniel via telephone, the coach of Baltimore’s City College High School who also coached Anthony in high school. “He’s always admired him, but I know he’s always liked Syracuse too”.

“I think it’s a good fit for him” said Daniel earlier in the conversation. “It’s what the kid really wanted to do. He had some great schools on him”.

Louisville was thought by many to lead for Fair, while Maryland, Georgetown, Virginia, Florida, Wake Forest, VA Tech and others sought to secure Fair’s services.

A 6’8”, 180 pound, multi-skilled left handed forward, Fair is recuperating from left knee surgery, and as such is not presently 100%. Regardless of that fact, Daniel has huge plans for, and expectations of, C.J.: “I’m looking for him to number one stay consistent. Next develop his body. And even as a junior, I’m looking for leadership from C.J. But first and foremost, he must come out of this year as a good student”.

“He’s a natural three ball shooter” shared Daniel of C.J., who helped lead City College to a 20-4, and Maryland State Tournament Regional Semi-Final appearance. “He can do some things on the court. His mid-range got better. I want him to capitalize on all these things”.

Skill wise, expect Daniels to demand Fair become a better rebounder and defender, illustrating consistency throughout. In doing so, C.J. will be more than prepared to impact the Big East as a 2010 frontcourt playing freshman and help the Orange have better college basketball odds at advancing in March.



Still Likes ‘Em: Word has been Dion Waters, the uber talented 6’3” plus, 211 pound shooting guard from Philly may reopen his recruitment: Having named Syracuse his future college home before every playing a varsity basketball game in high school while attending the school’s elite camp with fellow ‘Illadeph native, his South Philly mentor, and current Orange student-athlete Scoop Jardine, there are surely schools clamoring for him to re-consider. That is the case when there is very little a kid can’t do on the offensive side of the floor, and the student athlete is learning when to use what.

Upon being asked if he in fact planned to evaluate other schools at this time, the understated Waiters simply replied “Naw, I’m going to Syracuse”.

Cuse fans should rejoice, as Dion (seen in the picture with Georgetown commit Markel Starks at recent Philly-DMV Challenge) is the offensive truth, being able to drive and shoot almost at will. Waiters was tabbed Philly’s Junior Game MVP for work in the DMV vs. Philly Challenge. Adding to his performance’s drama was the preceding war of words and mano-mano in-game challenges between he and future Tennessee Vol, Josh Selby.

What does Dion feel must be improved upon in his game?

“First off, I have to lose a couple more pounds” he offered, laughing good naturedly. “And then just moving without the ball”.

During Challenge play, his defensive consistency could have also been amped. Of that, the ever competitive Waiters noted “Yeah, but I was tired. I was really playing hard out there. It was great competition. I just tried to play hard man”.


Speaking of Scoop: Sophomore guard Scoop Jardine will redshirt this season according to sources. The supposed reason is a loaded backcourt, with not only superstar in the making, sophomore Jonny Flynn returning but his buddy and teammate from Niagara Falls, NY, junior Paul Harris, playing a more perimeter swingman position. Add the return from injury of both junior swingman Andy Rautins and senior guard Eric Devendorf, along with swingman Mookie Jones’ addition to the roster as a freshman – Jones could possibly play some shooting guard – and it may be advantageous for Scoop to ‘chill’ this year and continue to allow healing of a leg injury that hampered him last season.

Who Is In Waiting? Conventional wisdom, let along widespread reporting in 2007 tabbed assistant coach Mike Hopkins the heir apparent to Boeheim. Though Athletic Director Daryl Gross denied it, the school of thought continued.

Current rumor sides with Gross. Given Boeheim having been Syracuse’s head coach since 1976 and first spending time on the bench as a coach in 1969, which followed a five year playing career at the Cuse, his clock is likely ticking.