Syracuse Hoops 2008-2009 Preview

Look for “Two Thumbs Up” from the critics about Syracuse basketball in 2008-09!

The last six seasons in Syracuse, New York have been very similar to the career of writer/director M. Night Shyamalan, the master of suspense-filled blockbusters whose films are rarely predictable and always leave the viewer with questions and sometimes filled with a feeling of unfulfilled potential.

Shyamalan burst on the scene in 1999 with his most critically acclaimed work of art to date, the spine-tingling The Sixth Sense, and he has been trying to reinvent the buzz created by that movie ever since.

In similar fashion, Jim Boeheim’s Orange have been trying to duplicate the magical run to the National Championship that took place when one-and-done superstar Carmelo Anthony and his supporting cast put their name in bright lights on the sport’s biggest stage in 2003.

Since The Sixth Sense, Shyamalan has produced a full spectrum of works, including the nail-biting and thought-provoking Signs, the underrated, hair-raising, suspense-filled The Village, and the ultimate in unfulfilled promise, The Happening.

Each of these movies were brilliant in their storytelling, had hugely successful leading men (Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, and Mark Wahlberg), and had viewers at the edge of their seats wondering what was going to happen next.

In similar fashion, the Syracuse basketball program has been trying to recreate the magic that was the 2003 NCAA Tournament, only to leave its fans with that tantalizing taste of potential mixed with unfulfilled dreams.

As with each of Shyamalan’s efforts since Sense, Boeheim has had his share of leading men (Gerry McNamara, Hakim Warrick, and the hugely disappointing Donte Greene), but this season the Syracuse Orange are banking on depth and teamwork to create a buzz at the box office. Look for a step in the right direction from this cast.

The Backcourt

Depth was something that last season’s Orange lacked, especially in the backcourt, where Big East Co-Rookie of the Year Jonny Flynn logged an astounding 35.5 minutes per game. Look for that number to come down a little this season, but for Flynn’s production (15.7 points and 5.3 assists per contest) to rise as he feels the effect of not having to play so many minutes.

A ferocious on the ball defender in high school, it is rumored that Flynn has been lobbying coach Boeheim to play less of the Syracuse 2-3 zone and play more man to man defense, which should make him an even more dynamic presence on the court.

A lead guard in every sense of the word, Flynn should be able to improve on his assist numbers with his ability to drive to the basket, draw in the defense, and kick it out to an improved set of three-point bombers.

Injuries to key backcourt running mates Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins were huge reasons for Flynn having to play so many minutes while learning on the fly last season. Both Devendorf and Rautins have recovered from torn ACLs and are looking to make a splash in 2008-09.

The former McDonald’s All-American Devendorf is ready to spark life back into the Orange with his “heart on the sleeve” style and his three-point bombing, and he looks ready to return to the form that had him thought of as one of the better guards in the Big East before the injury.

Rautins, the son of former Orange standout and team Canada Coach Leo Rautins, will provide depth and the ability to stretch opposing defenses with his long-range accuracy (40.6 percent from three-point range as a sophomore in 2006-07). He should not be affected by the new, further three-point line being instituted in college basketball this year.

Sophomore Scoop Jardine will provide depth in the backcourt. After having played some big minutes in key stretches during his freshman campaign, Jardine will be given the opportunity to grow and learn behind the upperclassmen.

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