Syracuse Basketball: Experts predict Orange will land transfer Patrick Tape

Syracuse basketball is reportedly once again in the running for Columbia grad transfer Patrick Tape, who recently de-committed from Duke.

Syracuse basketball, a few weeks back, got some bummer news that multiple guys had elected to move on via the transfer portal. Now, it seems, the Orange is reversing course and picking up positive momentum.

On Saturday night, Alan Griffin, a sophomore wing from Illinois and one of the top transfers on the market, revealed that he has chosen to suit up for the ‘Cuse for his final two years of eligibility.

And, it’s possible that Columbia graduate transfer Patrick Tape, a talented scorer in the paint, will make a decision this week. Tape, a 6-foot-10 power forward/center, recently de-committed from Duke.

Since that somewhat surprising development about the Blue Devils broke, a lot of Internet speculation has centered on Tape selecting Syracuse.

Several analysts and journalists who extensively follow the Orange hoops crew say it potentially looks encouraging for the ‘Cuse to secure Tape. Prior to pledging his services to Duke, he had considered Syracuse, along with other units such as Ohio State, USC, Maryland, and Georgetown.

"From The Athletic’s Matthew Gutierrez: “Grad transfer Patrick Tape ‘probably will’ commit to Syracuse, per source. Nothing at all is final, and a decision is coming soon.”"

On the 247Sports Web site, three recruiting experts, including CuseNation.com’s Mike McAllister, have in recent days predicted that Tape will opt for the Hill.

"Finally, here’s a tweet from Jeff Ermann, publisher of insidemdsports: “I’m hearing Patrick Tape decommitted from Duke because Syracuse managed to flip him. He’s got a long-standing relationship with their staff. Wouldn’t be surprised by a public Cuse commitment soon.”"

As we’ve noted in the past, Tape and Orange point guard Jalen Carey, who has entered the transfer portal, took part in the 2019 USA East Coast three-contest tour of Greece, held last June.

‘Cuse assistants Adrian Autry and Allen Griffin coached this team and apparently have gotten to know Tape well. That, I assume, can only help Syracuse’s chances of landing Tape, who averaged 11.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per affair for Columbia in 2018-19 before sitting out the 2019-20 campaign so that he could pursue grad-transfer options in 2020-21.

Similar to Alan Griffin, Tape is one of the premier transfers across the country, and he would give Syracuse’s 2020-21 line-up a legit low-post scoring threat.

I have no idea how Griffin’s commitment may influence Tape’s ultimate choice. It may not at all. What I do know is that should the Orange, which has several scholarships available, nab both Griffin and Tape, then the prospects for the ‘Cuse in the upcoming season will undoubtedly begin to climb.