Syracuse Basketball: With Taurean Thompson news, what's next?

The Syracuse basketball team was rocked by the sudden news of Taurean Thompson’s departure. ITLH breaks down what’s next for the Orange.

In our weekly roundtable conversation we discuss a trending topic in sports. Well for this week’s edition we didn’t have to venture far to find something to talk about ie the Syracuse basketball team.

ICYMI Taurean Thompson isn’t coming back to Syracuse this Fall which puts the basketball team in a precarious position. Our staff gave their opinions on what’s next for the Orange and what this loss means.

Paul A. Esden Jr.- Site Expert

Follow: @BoyGreen25

There’s a bunch of conflicting reports with this Thompson news. I’ve heard everything from family issues, academic issues, possible rifts between Thompson and players/coaching staff. If it’s truly a family issue, I send my thoughts and prayers to him and his family.

While there’s never a perfect time for issues, the timing of this is puzzling. It essentially screws the Orange or at the very least limits what they can do this season with that scholarship. I read up on the NCAA rules and SU has options. They can bring someone in to fill that spot before classes start and even when classes start they can get an exemption from the NCAA due to ‘special circumstances’.

I think this classifies.

Thompson is a tremendous offensive talent. Although he leaves much to be desired defensively. The real problem for me is the current big men on the roster (Bourama Sidibe and Paschal Chukwu) are raw offensively. They can’t bring the same things to the table. I think the Orange are down but certainly not out. Expect Tyus Battle to take on a bigger role on offense to attempt to replicate the lost scoring.

Neil Adler- Contributor

It’s a double-edged sword in terms of how Taurean Thompson’s departure from the SU basketball squad could affect the program in the 2017-18 campaign and beyond.

Thompson, a rising sophomore, showed tremendous offensive potential in his initial stint with the ‘Cuse last season. I fully expected him to become one of the Orange’s two leading scorers this go-round, along with fellow sophomore Tyus Battle.

On the flip side, Thompson, who plays both power forward and center, represented a fairly substantial liability in head coach Jim Boeheim’s vaunted 2-3 zone. In all fairness, most freshmen struggle in JB’s defensive schemes, so it’s likely that Thompson’s defense would improve in his second year on the roster.

Since expectations for Syracuse in 2017-18 aren’t that high to begin with. But an outfit that perhaps may not get into the Big Dance anyway (pessimism, I know!) will just fall into more of a hole in trying to secure a March Madness bid.

Wow.

My main concern is that the current ‘Cuse roster is not all that deep, and our players are extremely

More from Inside the Loud House

young. Despite only entering his sophomore stanza, Thompson has more experience than perhaps any other guy on the team, save for Battle and junior Frank Howard. We have, among others, a bunch of promising freshmen like Oshae Brissett, a redshirt freshman in Matthew Moyer, and a graduate transfer in Geno Thorpe.

So many new pieces have to mesh together, and we all know that didn’t work out well a term ago. Regardless, stuff happens, and our Hall of Fame head coach will figure things out. Without Thompson, though, I fear our beloved Orange will end up a middle-of-the-pack group in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it will need big-time, marquee victories to sneak into the NCAA Tournament.

Now, a final thought here: I’ve read a bunch of comments from Syracuse fans slamming Thompson. If there are health issues within his family, I’m sorry to hear that and pray for him. Don’t knock this young man for doing what he has to do. Family and good health trump basketball. Best of luck to you, Taurean!

Andrew Carey- Contributor

Follow: @Papi_Carey

I think everyone needs to pump the brakes on the Thompson situation. Obviously on paper it is a huge loss, coming into this season Thompson was expected to take a huge load on the offensive end of the floor.

He was the second leading scorer among returning players and is a gifted mid range and low block scorer. However, Thompson was atrocious on defense last season and simply couldn’t figure out the 2-3 zone rotations.

In the past a lot of Syracuse’s great teams have relied on their defense to carry them, with the 6′ 9″ Thompson in, this wasn’t an option. I expect Syracuse’s offense to take a hit along with Thompson’s departure, but don’t be surprised if we see a big improvement on the defensive end of the floor.

Josh Peelman- Contributor

Follow: @jnpmessenger

I think Taurean Thompson could have had a great second year with the ‘Cuse. He struggled on defense and I think that would’ve continued, but his offense would be a little better, which I think really would’ve helped the Orange a lot this year. I am not terribly upset he’s gone. Now new opportunities are created for guys like Oshae Brissett. Syracuse will be just mediocre in the ACC anyways once again. I wish him the best of luck wherever he goes though. In the meantime, it’s onward and upwards for the Syracuse basketball team.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History

Zachary Weisleder- Contributor

Follow: @ZachWeisleder

Losing Taurean Thompson does Syracuse no favors, offensively speaking. Last season, Thompson averaged just under 10 points, and after his announcement of withdrawal from the program, the Orange have lost six of their seven leading scorers from 2016.

While Thompson would have dominated offensively this season, his departure won’t hurt the program as badly as most think. Syracuse’ success has always started with the 2-3 zone working well, and Thompson wasn’t nearly as productive on defense as he was on offense last year.

Home/Syracuse Basketball

Syracuse Basketball: With Taurean Thompson news, what’s next?

By Paul A. Esden Jr. | Sep 2, 2017