Would Mike Hopkins ever return to Syracuse?

Would Mike Hopkins come back to the Syracuse Orange basketball program after Jim Boeheim retired?

We’ve wondered as much since he departed for the Washington Huskies last year, and will likely continue to do so until Boeheim officially calls it quits. And while Hop’s been asked about returning to CNY before, the recent Syracuse.com profile on his first year at UW seemed to offer the most politically correct answer yet. Can’t blame Hop for it, either. There’s simply no way we’ll have a yes or no until it’s time for the position to actually be filled.

More on that and other Syracuse-related links today:

Could Mike Hopkins ever see himself returning to Syracuse basketball? (Syracuse.com)

“You’re supposed to never say never, but I don’t want the people here to read that the wrong way,’’ Hopkins said. “This is an incredible opportunity that’s been given to me. When you get this type of opportunity, you can’t take it with another job in mind. Not even one like Syracuse.’’

Syracuse football’s offensive line has something not seen in 30 years. (Syracuse.com)

What Syracuse does have, at the moment, is a core group of five battle-tested players that survived perhaps the deepest assembly of defensive line talent in recent ACC history -- and a victory against a Clemson program that returns its entire NFL-caliber defensive front.

NBA Draft 2018: The six college basketball players with the most agonizing stay-or-go decisions (CBS Sports)

But Battle’s got a curious choice. He’s projected by some to be a first round pick now. After helping Syracuse make the Sweet 16, Battle’s stock clearly got a nice bump in March. He averaged 19.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals for the Orange. He was the most played player in college basketball this season. Battle played in 96.2 percent of Syracuse’s minutes, more than anyone else in Division I.

Former Pittsburgh Panther commit Bryce Golden sets visit to Syracuse (Syracuse.com)

Bryce Golden, a 6-9 senior at Saint James School in Hagerstown, Md., who had originally committed to Pittsburgh, will visit Syracuse this weekend, according to a source familiar with his recruitment.

Syracuse seeks balance between its top two scorers (Daily Orange)

Eleven games later, the Orange’s offense is mostly dependent on the performance of its two top attacks, Levy and Emily Hawryschuk. The formula is there: When both are on, Syracuse often wins. When one isn’t, Syracuse has struggled. But the individual outputs are sometimes SU’s only chance of winning.

Syracuse football recruiting: JUCO DB Duwayne Johnson visiting for spring game (Syracuse.com)

Is Syracuse football ready to spring forward? (Syracuse.com)

Sammy Fernandez sets career hits record in softball sweep (Daily Orange)

For the Hill Academy lacrosse players, No. 45 isn’t just a jersey (Daily Orange)

‘New Girl’: Syracuse University’s Otto makes cameo in season 7 premiere (Syracuse.com)