Both of Syracuse's freshman were asked after the North Carolina loss abour their intentions. One was pretty firm and one was not.
It's an unfortunate business following something like the Syracuse Orange's 83-66 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Final Four. While the coaches and players just want to take some time to process what's happened and what's over, reporters have a job to do when it comes to their next steps.
So of course Jim Boeheim got the retirement question even though he's already answered it...
Boeheim: why do you ask me about retiring? Are you going to ask Roy? Why always me...
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) April 3, 2016
And freshman phenoms Tyler Lydon and Malachi Richardson were asked about whether or not they're going to take a look at going pro in the NBA.
Lydon seems to pretty firmly have his mind set.
Tyler Lydon tells me he is DEFINITELY coming back to Syracuse next year
— Salvatore Maneen (@SalManeenNC9) April 3, 2016
Tyler Lydon is "definitely" coming back next season, he said after the game. Good news for Syracuse fans.
— Syracuse Basketball (@cusesigel) April 3, 2016
NOW, I appreciate the sentiment but Syracuse fans have been down this road enough times where a guy says he's coming back but then goes pro (Donte Greene, Jonny Flynn, Chris McCullough) so I'll fully believe it when the NBA Draft entry deadline passes and Lydon hasn't submitted himself.
On the other hand, and probably unsurprising, Richardson is noncommital on his plans.
Malachi Richardson declines answering when asked about NBA next year
— Salvatore Maneen (@SalManeenNC9) April 3, 2016
Tyler Lydon said he's returning to Syracuse for sophomore season, Malachi Richardson declined to address it. #cusemode
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 3, 2016
Number one, fair enough.
Number two, given the new rules for NBA Draft testing periods, Richardson would be silly not to at least find out where he stands.
Number three, we'd love to have him back at Orange fans but if he does go pro wish him well.
Obviously we're not even a couple hours from the end of the season, so we'll let everyone take a breath and get some sleep before we take anything as a certainty.
