Monday Musings: Syracuse Basketball Recruiting Notes

Updates on prospects from the 2021 and 2022 classes.
Monday Musings: Syracuse Basketball Recruiting Notes
Monday Musings: Syracuse Basketball Recruiting Notes /

Syracuse basketball is after some elite talent in the 2022 class with one such player already committed. But the Orange was also successful in the 2021 recruiting cycle landing SI All-American Finalist Benny Williams. Even with the addition of Williams, Syracuse may not be done in the 2021 class. In this week's Monday Musings, we break down the latest on a 2021 prospect, a pair of 2022 Syracuse priorities and more. 

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1. Syracuse interested in 2021 forward

Class of 2021 forward Arthur Kaluma was originally a UNLV signee. He was released from his NLI recently and is now back on the market. Kaluma is a top 50 type player, is listed at 6-8, 205 pounds and can play either forward position. He previously had Syracuse in his top eight before committing to UNLV. Syracuse is expected to speak with Kaluma on Monday. The Orange would take the talented forward, and he would be quite the late addition to the roster. There will be plenty of other schools interested, including programs like Illinois and Iowa State. 

2. Latest on Kyle Filipowski

Filipowski has an official visit set up to Syracuse the first weekend in June. Syracuse will not be the only school he visits, however. Filipowski has an official visit to Ohio State and unofficial to UConn planned after the Syracuse trip. The Syracuse coaches remain in constant contact and have quickly made him a big priority in the 2022 cycle. 

3. Latest on Justin Taylor

Taylor also has an official visit set up to Syracuse for June 9-10. As with Filipowski, Syracuse is not the only school that Taylor will visit. He also has an official scheduled with North Carolina and an unofficial to Virginia Tech. Indiana also recently conducted a Zoom meeting with Taylor in order to for him to get to know new head coach Mike Woodson. Indiana will also receive an official visit in mid-June, after he visits Syracuse. 

4. Cisco, Melifonwu Will Help Recruiting

Syracuse had two defensive backs selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Off of a 1-10 team. That will help attract defensive back prospects in future cycles. The success of the Orange defensive backs with the turnovers they have forced already caught recruits' attention. Adding drafted players only helps. Expect Syracuse to make note of that with 2022 and 2023 recruits. 

5. Men's, Women's Lacrosse Going in Opposite Directions

Women's lacrosse played #1 North Carolina down to the wire. It was a two goal game late, but UNC went on a 3-0 run to end with a 9-4 victory. Despite the loss, Syracuse proved it can play with the best team in the nation even without its two star attackers. Do not be surprised if the two meet with the National Championship on the line later this month. 

Men's lacrosse, on the other hand, looked terrible against Notre Dame, falling 22-8 in a game that wasn't even that close. With the off the field distractions and two blowout losses in the last three games, Syracuse is in a world of trouble for its postseason hopes. A run to the Final Four would be a major surprise at this point. It has been a disappointing season for a team that was #1 in the nation when last season was cancelled and brought back most of the key pieces from that squad. 


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Mike McAllister
MIKE MCALLISTER

Title: Publisher All Syracuse Education: Roberts Wesleyan College Location: Syracuse, New York Expertise: Syracuse basketball, football and recruiting.  EXPERIENCE Mike McAllister has been covering Syracuse basketball, football and recruiting for more than a decade. Mike's career started with his own free blog as a way to vent following sporting events. Shortly thereafter, a network of basketball sites called Coast 2 Coast Hoops asked him to run their Syracuse site. That site was called Nation of Orange, and Mike quickly established it as a go-to for Syracuse fans.  After running Nation of Orange for several months, a position with the Syracuse site on the Scout network became available. After one year as the recruiting expert with Cuse Nation, he was named the publisher. Mike oversaw the transition from Scout to 247Sports, and ran the site on that network for years.  Presented with the opportunity to join one of the biggest names in the sports journalism industry, Sports Illustrated, Mike jumped at the chance. All Syracuse was started from scratch by Mike and the Fan Nation team. It has now become a staple for Orange fans of various sports.  Mike has broken news on recruiting, Syracuse basketball and football team information and has established himself as the top recruiting inside in the market. He has appeared on local radio shows, television broadcasts, national radio shows and much more. Mr. McAllister has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Information Management from Roberts Wesleyan College.