It has been 28 days since we've last seen the SU women's basketball team on the court. Since then, the Orange have lost 11 players to the transfer portal, in addition to losing Tiana Mangakahia to a WNBA contract.

Tuesday, Syracuse women's basketball coach Quentin Hillsman met with the media for the first time since the Orange NCAA Tournament run came to an end.

Immdiately, Coach Q addressed the elephant in the room, by stating that the Orange program is "in a good place right now." That, despite the roster turnover, he feels good about the program and the team. 

Coming into Tuesday, no team had seen more defectors from their program than the Orange. But, for Coach Q he looked at it two ways, calling it "half surprising and half not."

Referring to the amount of players who transferred, Hillsman stated that several of the Orange players were seniors who left, who were seeking other opportunities and new challenges.

He also took some of the players leaving to ACC schools as a compliement saying, "we recruit good players," while also noting that those schools notice good players. 

During the entirity of the 30 minute press availabilty, Coach Hillsman would not address specific players or reasonings as to why some felt the need to enter the transfer portal. He did make clear that he supports the portal and the players right to find a new opportunity.

He also went to say that during conversations with these players, he offered to help them in any way he could saying, "These girls are like my daughters. I will not say anything disparraging about them."

Coach did emphasize the importance of meeting the standards that have been put in place on and off the court by SU.

Coach also noted that the incoming transfers are great players that should help SU get back to the standard set by the 2016 Final Four team saying, "I know you guys are looking at the roster and seeing who we are bringing in. You guys know we are going to be OK."