Jeff Goodman thinks Providence is in lead over Syracuse for Bryan Hodgson (for now)

National analyst Jeff Goodman, the co-founder of The Field of 68, said in a podcast episode on Monday night that he thinks Big East Conference member Providence is "probably" in the lead right now over Syracuse basketball for head coaching candidate Bryan Hodgson, the Western New York native and head coach of South Florida.

On Tuesday morning, college basketball insider Adam Zagoria noted that Hodgson continues to be a top target for Providence and the Orange. The Friars are looking at other candidates, too, Zagoria says. The same can be said for the 'Cuse vacancy, after third-year head coach Adrian Autry was fired last week.

Meanwhile, Hodgson was asked on Monday about the rumors swirling that he's a candidate for the Syracuse basketball head coaching job. He said it's "great to be wanted," but he stressed that he's the head coach at USF and laser-focused on the Bulls' upcoming NCAA Tournament game. "Those opportunities come with success," Hodgson said.

South Florida (25-8 overall), the No. 11 seed in the East Region, will play No. 6 seed Louisville (23-10 overall) in the round of 64 on Thursday, March 19, in Buffalo, N.Y., in a homecoming for Hodgson.

Analysts weigh in on Bryan Hodgson and Syracuse basketball's head coaching search.

Goodman, in his podcast with Rob Dauster and Dalen Cuff, said rather matter-of-factly that both the 'Cuse and the Friars want Hodgson, who is 70–36 overall in three seasons as a head coach (two at Arkansas State and one at USF).

Goodman said he thinks that for the time being, Providence likely has the edge over Syracuse for Hodgson, although Goodman also said that he has a "lucrative offer" on the table to stay at South Florida, which in the 2025-26 campaign won the American Conference regular-season and post-season tournament titles.

As he said last week, Goodman cites that Providence is expected to have at least $10 million in NIL for its 2026-27 roster, while he thinks the 'Cuse is looking to be in the $8 million range. NIL can include schools directly paying their athletes in the form of revenue-sharing, along with third-party name, image and likeness deals.

Goodman went on to say that Syracuse likely would have a smaller NIL budget than Providence, but the 'Cuse would also have "higher expectations." Interestingly, Goodman also said that as part of the SU gig, the team probably would have to retain freshman shooting guard Kiyan Anthony, with Goodman adding that he believes not everyone wants to retain Anthony at this juncture.

Dauster said that he thinks Hodgson shouldn't leave South Florida for Syracuse, because he can win more consistently and compete for championships with the Bulls in the American Conference, rather than at the 'Cuse and in the rugged Atlantic Coast Conference.

Dauster added that living in Tampa, Fla., is perhaps more ideal than in Canada. Lol. Hey Rob - Syracuse University is near Canada, but it's actually located in Central New York.

Cuff noted that in recent years, Syracuse basketball has become irrelevant, and he's not wrong. But Cuff also said that Hodgson is from the Buffalo area, so the SU job could be appealing to him from that standpoint (Hodgson grew up a huge 'Cuse fan).

Let's see how this all pans out. If I had to venture a guess right now, Hodgson appears to potentially be the top target among SU brass for the Syracuse basketball head coaching position, but 'Cuse leaders are interviewing multiple candidates.