Despite 12-20 record and Will Sydnor’s ineligibility, Manhattan is poised to move forward with majority of roster potentially returning. (Photo by Manhattan University Athletics)
Gallagher, still chasing an elusive first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament victory after the Jaspers were eliminated by Fairfield, would have an excuse for the slight downturn this season if he wanted one. Sophomore forward Will Sydnor, last season’s MAAC Rookie of the Year, was ineligible for Manhattan this year for undisclosed reasons, not playing a single game. But that is not the way Gallagher, or anyone in his orbit, operates.
The ebullient head coach praised the challenge of not having his star player, highlighting the learning moment that can be extracted as he and his program now turn the page from a 12-20 campaign that should improve on paper, assuming the Jasper roster can withstand the transfer portal.
“It is what it is, that’s all I’ll say,” Gallagher said of Sydnor’s absence and lack of availability. “I’m proud that we had moments where we could have thrown the flag in this season. I’ve been doing this a long time, and this group came to work every day. We were one player away. We were in ten games this season where we were within one or two possessions under five minutes left. Sometimes it’s one player, and Fairfield’s a prime example of that, last year to this year. I’m proud of the group. They didn’t do anything you would say is disrespectful. They were one guy away, they were one player away.”
“It’s a different world in college athletics. Saint Louis lost in the quarterfinals last year in the Atlantic 10, now look at them. You really, really have to evaluate and you have to score in the portal, or you have to score with your freshman class or from Europe. Our real work, for this staff, begins now.”
Gallagher insisted Sydnor would be eligible next season, and his return would instantly boost Manhattan’s chances should he stay in Riverdale for his junior season. With the exception of senior Terrance Jones, every other mainstay in the Jasper rotation is also able to come back, but the specter of the offseason looms large regardless. Rather than convey fear or uncertainty, Gallagher embraced the direction of where his next roster may be headed.
“Let’s take the opposite route of it,” he declared. “I’m tired of the difficulty. We all know it’s difficult. We’re moving into a professional environment, so let’s adapt. Let’s study the European teams on how they do it. You’re gonna have to dive into the new world that we’re all living in, but at the end of the day, you’ve gotta get culture guys and AI’s not gonna find that. They can cut a list from 1,000 to maybe 75-80 to fit the criteria. This is a new landscape and we need to embrace it.”
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