Monday Musings: Syracuse Basketball & Football Recruiting Notes

1. Donnie Freeman

Freeman is definitely going to take an official visit to Syracuse next month. The date has not yet been finalized, but it will happen. Freeman is looking for a place to call his home for his collegiate basketball career. He has already taken official visits to Iowa, Texas and Alabama, and did not commit after any of those trips. While those schools, specifically Texas and Alabama, are heavily involved and definite threats to SU, the Orange has a chance during this official to create that family feel. To make Freeman feel like he is home. The one challenge will be he was able to attend games (basketball or football) during his previous officials. There is not a game to attend that will showcase the Carrier Dome atmosphere to a recruit like Freeman. The fan interest/love will have to come via social media and students on campus during the visit. This is a critical, critical visit for Syracuse basketball's 2024 recruiting class.

2. Jarrett Henry

The junior college offensive lineman was a surprise official visitor over the weekend. He picked up an offer from the Orange and has one from Middle Tennessee State as well. Henry announced after his official to SU that he was on his way to officially visit Oklahoma State. Syracuse's chances here come down to whether or not the Cowboys offer. If they do, being that he is a Texas kid, it would seem logical that he would stay much closer to home. He played high school ball in Texas and JUCO in Texas. It is possible they do not offer, and he would be a nice depth add for the Orange in that scenario as he could play anywhere along the offensive line. This is one to watch over the next week or so.

3. Brenden Straughn

Still no official word on Brenden Straughn filling the vacant assistant coach position for Syracuse basketball. Rest assured, all signs point to this happening. We are just waiting for the Orange to officially announce it. There are likely some legal requirements to fulfill before that can happen. Things are never simple from that perspective. Still, this appears to be a really good hire for Syracuse. He has extensive recruiting ties and should strengthen the Orange's efforts in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia).

4. Team Takeover

One of the big reasons why Straughn is a good hire from a recruiting perspective is his ties to Team Takeover. Team Takeover is one of the top AAU programs in the country and Straughn coached for them for several years. That connection is why there are rumors of Syracuse's interest in players like George Mason transfer Josh Oduro and others that SU could potentially have interest in if they enter the portal like Villanova guard Justin Moore. Both are Team Takeover guys. That connection is going to be very beneficial for Syracuse moving forward.