So Much For Syracuse in 2010

When it comes to predicting the early favorites for next season, the usual approach is to look at which teams appear to be coming back loaded with talent and ended the season playing well. Syracuse seemed to fit that bill.

They were poised to bring back their entire starting line-up, one of their top recruits from last year -- Mookie Jones -- was injured so he will be able to help, plus another top-20 recruiting class. Of course that depended on no one leaving early. With the encouragement of coach Jim Boeheim, point guard Jonny Flynn will be checking his status in the NBA draft -- without hiring an agent. Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf, at first blush, appear to just be leaving.
At least that would be the sense from the wording of the press release.

Syracuse men's basketball players Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris plan to enter their names into the 2009 NBA draft. Jonny Flynn has decided to submit his name for the NBA draft but will not retain an agent, enabling himself the opportunity to return to Syracuse for the 2009-10 season.

Specifying Flynn would not be hiring an agent and could return, while doing no such thing for Devendorf and Harris sure makes it appear that they are not coming back. Yet according to the Syracuse director of media communications, Devendorf and Harris are not hiring agents.

No explanation as to why. The cynical explanation would be to indicate which player is vital to Syracuse's hopes in 2010. Paul Harris has been an up-and-down player who has seemingly struggled under Boeheim's coaching. Eric Devendorf has had plenty of off-the-court issues, and has had a tendency to turn the ball over too frequently and just jack-up shots.

Or it could just be a poorly worded press release.