After a year off, Elijah Hughes is ready to play at Syracuse

While Tyus Battle’s return is huge for the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team in 2018-19, the biggest reason for SU’s improvement this year might be Elijah Hughes’s eligibility.

The East Carolina transfer sat out last year and now figures to be a key part of an offense that looks to bounce back from a rough 2017-18. Jim Boeheim already offered up some high praise for the New York native. Syracuse.com’s Mike Waters spoke to Hughes this week to see how he’s dealing with the pressure, and how he’s been working on his game since arriving on campus a year ago.

Ends up one of the keys to what should be an improved game for him is a diet change. Apparently Domino’s lava cakes are now off the menu, as are cookies, ice cream and McDonald’s. No word on what he’s replaced those snacks with, though the Orange staff has obviously helped fill the void with better items. He’s down five pounds to 215, and is more muscular than he had been previously. With luck, that adjustment shows itself on the court in November (and beyond).

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Syracuse basketball transfer Elijah Hughes cut out lava cakes and is ready to erupt (Syracuse.com)

“It was super hard,’’ he said. “There were stretches when the guys weren’t playing well and we were losing games and I was like ‘We’re losing by eight, I could go in and put up eight points.’ I wanted to go in and get that rebound or get that steal or make that play. It was hard, but I got through it.’’

Dino Babers’s Syracuse must finish strong for a change (SB Nation)

Dungey has yet to play a game after a November 7. In 2018, Syracuse plays Louisville, Notre Dame, and BC after November 7. He is a tough-as-hell veteran leader, but you can’t lead much when you’re not on the field, and I don’t know if he can avoid hits. It’s kind of his thing.

Why Louisville football can (and can’t) beat Syracuse (Louisville Courier-Journal)

So there’s really no way Lamar Jackson can play in this game? Because that would really help. Jackson makes a lot of teams look bad, but he made Syracuse look silly. In two starts, he produced 991 total yards — and one famous hurdle — and Louisville averaged 59 points.

Biggest recruiting need in 2019 for each top 25 team (ESPN)

Syracuse: Tyus Battle replacement Battle decided to return to the Orange for his junior season, but we can’t expect him to do the same again next spring -- so Jim Boeheim will need to find his heir apparent. They already have a pledge from guard Brycen Goodine, but the top target on the board for the Orange is Joseph Girard.

Coach: Syracuse OT signee Qadir White finishing class, expected to enroll ‘any day’ (Syracuse.com)

Syracuse football’s final signee in the Class of 2018 is expected to enroll in the coming days. Qadir White, a highly touted offensive tackle from the Bronx, is “finishing a class” and should be on campus “any day,” Cardinal Hayes High School head coach CJ O’Neil said on Wednesday.

Former Syracuse basketball C Dajuan Coleman to try out for ABA Stallions (Syracuse.com)

The Miami Heat’s Dion Waiters takes a significant step in comeback from ankle surgery (Miami Herald)

How to Trade Carmelo Anthony (Welcome to Loud City)

Historically Low Attendance At UConn Men’s Basketball, Football Games As Programs Try To Rebuild (Hartford Courant)