Kouwe: Extra year at Syracuse would help Elijah Hughes’ NBA draft stock

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Feb 20, 2019; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Elijah Hughes (33) drives against the Louisville Cardinals during the Orange's 69-49 win at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Photo Credit: Kicia Sears, The Juice Online.

Former Syracuse basketball player Andrew Kouwe sounds off on the current state of the program with host Wes Cheng on The Juice on the Cuse podcast hosted by SNY.tv. TJO editor in chief Brad Bierman then calls in to chat about a surging Orange lacrosse team.

Here are the highlights from the show:

Wesley Cheng: Andrew, you just mentioned Elijah Hughes, and I want to pick your brain about him. I personally don’t think there’s any way Elijah Hughes stays. He’s going to be a first or second All-ACC player and he’s starting to appear in some mock drafts. You were teammates with Carmelo Anthony when there was speculation about whether he’d stay or go. You know good basketball talent when you see it. Do you see Hughes leaving after this season?

Andrew Kouwe: I think it’s in his benefit to come back solely because, people talk about [Hughes] being a late first round . I think he should go during the summer and go to the tryouts and use the opportunity the NCAA allows to go to  those preseason camps and see what you’re rated. If it’s in your benefit, then you should come back. But why would you leave now when the team is going to go to the NIT and you’re not getting the exposure? We talked about Carmelo, everyone knew he was going to be a top 5 pick. But when we won the National Championship, the conversation changed to, would you take him 1? Would you take him over LeBron [James] now? Because of the exposure you get in the [NCAA] Tournament. I’m thinking why not come back with the same team. The expectation is that the team is going to improve. […] I would say come back and there’s a better chance of making the tournament [next year]. You are that NBA player and the eyes are going to be on you and the talking points will be about you. You make a run in the tournament, you’re getting the exposure.

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Rundown:

1. Former Syracuse basketball player Andrew Kouwe calls in
2. Did this year’s basketball team perform to expectation?
3. Does Hughes come back?
4. If he does, can Syracuse be special again?
5. Impact of Dior Johnson committing in 2022
6. Editor in chief Brad Bierman calls in
7. Lacrosse edges No. 7 Army
8. Syracuse lacrosse in for special season
9. Closing thoughts and wrap up

» Related: Syracuse rallies from down 11 for win over Georgia Tech

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About Wes Cheng 2907 Articles
Wes has worked for Rivals.com covering the New York Knicks, as well as for Scout.com covering Syracuse athletics. Wes has also been a contributing writer for the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), for SportsNet New York (SNY) as a news desk writer covering all of New York professional sports, and reported on the NBA and MLB for the New York Sportscene. A native of Long Island, New York, Wes graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. Contact him at wes[at]sujuiceonline.com.