Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Syracuse Orange.
An index and schedule for the Summer Recruiting Bible series is located HERE.
Scholarship chart
Seniors (2): SG Trevor Cooney, SF Michael Gbinije
Juniors (3): PF Tyler Roberson, C DaJuan Coleman, C Chinonso Obokoh
Sophomores (1): PG Kaleb Joseph
Freshmen (4): SG Malachi Richardson, G Franklin Howard, F Tyler Lydon, C Moustapha Diagne
Possible early entry losses after next season: None
Available scholarships for 2016: Two
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: SF Matthew Moyer (No. 51 in ESPN 100, Indiana Elite, 2016)
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Point guard, post player
Must-haves: G Tyus Battle (No. 27 in ESPN 100, PSA Cardinals)
Targets: G Tyus Battle (No. 27 in ESPN 100, PSA Cardinals), PG Alterique Gilbert (No. 23, CP3), PG Kobi Simmons (No. 6, Atlanta Celtics), C James Banks (No. 48, Atlanta Celtics), PF Sedee Keita (No. 83, We R 1), SG Kevin Huerter (No. 73, Albany City Rocks -- if he reclassifies to 2017)
Summer scenario
Syracuse's NCAA-mandated scholarship reduction -- the Orange can use only 10 scholarships for each of the next four seasons -- is clearly a hindrance to its efforts on the recruiting trail. With that said, Jim Boeheim and his staff haven't slowed down in terms of their pursuit of high-level prospects. But with Matthew Moyer already in the fold, the Orange have only one scholarship remaining. Tyus Battle decommitted from Michigan last week and immediately decided to take an official visit to Syracuse. There was some thought that Battle might commit on the spot, but the visit came and went without a decision. If Battle goes elsewhere, Syracuse will hope for Kobi Simmons or Alterique Gilbert. Up front, the Orange have only a couple of targets -- but with two frontcourt players in their 2015 class (plus Moyer), it's not as pressing of a need.