2010-11 College Basketball Predictions: Syracuse
November 15, 2010
The Syracuse Orange are ready to return to a high level after last year ended with a Sweet Sixteen loss to eventual runner-up Butler. This Syracuse team has a mix of experience and youth, but they are loaded with talent all across the board. If you are ready to wager on NCAA basketball this year, you should check out BetUS. With a new account and deposit of $500 or more they are going to give you a $500 match bonus!
Key Losses: Before anything else, it’s going to be tough to replace the three players that this Syracuse team has had to say good-bye to. Arinze Onuaku was maybe the most dominant big man in the Big East last year and his injury in the first round of the Big East Championship cost the team quite a bit in the NCAA Tournament.
Andy Rautins is a fan favorite. His three point shot and all-out hustle was what he brought to the court every day. Syracuse also lost leading scorer and playmaker Wes Johnson. The Iowa State-transfer was a NBA Lottery pick and had a solid season with the Orange.
Frontcourt: Looking forward to this season the one player that has to play above his potential is Kris Joseph. Last season, Joseph averaged 10.8 ppg and added 5.5 reb. The 6’7 210lbs junior from Canada is now the team’s leader. He is going to be on the floor for a lot of minutes and be counted on by the Orange to contribute.
Also down low is senior Rich Jackson. Jackson matured a lot last season and really gained his form over the last part of the season. He contributed 9.7 ppg and 7.0 reb, which were big improvements from his freshmen and sophomore seasons. He is the heart of the vaunted 2-3 zone. Standing at 6’9 240lbs his wingspan is a major problem when players try to penetrate to the basket.
Syracuse has had a lot of ability in the past, but the Big East preseason Rookie of the Year, Fab Melo a 7’0 260lbs center has the most potential for the Orange since Carmelo Anthony. He is a five-star recruit and rated as the second best center in last year’s class. NBA scouts think there is a high chance he goes pro after just one season, but let’s see how he does at the college level before that decision is made. If the hype on him is deserved, Big East teams better take note and beware of the big man from Brazil.
Backcourt: Syracuse has a decent backcourt that is experienced. Junior Scoop Jardine was the floor general last season putting 9.1 ppg and 4.3 ast. Jardine isn’t afraid to shoot the ball and he is going to be a big part of the Orange success this year.
Back and next to Jardine is sophomore Brand Triche. As a freshman the Syracuse native added 8.1 ppg. He saw a lot of time on the floor which will help him as he sees a more expanded role this season.
Two players that were hurt last year and saw only a little time were James Southerland and Mookie Jones. They both face an uphill battle, but will be competing for minutes off the bench.
The other big recruit that Boeheim is receiving praise for getting is Dion Waiters a shooting guard who can really shoot the three. Aside from being able to shoot it at 6’3 210lbs he is fearless and loves to drive the ball to the rim. If he is a real offensive threat now watch out, because that’s another option for this talented squad.
Pick: This team is good. They bring back players who took care of the basketball and limited turnovers. Syracuse is going to have to find a way to hit the outside jumper and have a more efficient field goal percentage. This team has plenty of options to make up for what they lost in Rautins and Johnson.
Syracuse is going to contend for the Big East Championship this year, winning 26 or 27 games. Watch out because this has a lot in common with a team that went 30-5 and is Jim Boeheim’s only National Championship team.
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