In the Syracuse Orange's postseason last year, they were eliminated by the UMass Minutemen in the NIT quarterfinals.
Jim Boeheim brings this team into the season feeling as though they were snubbed by the tourney committee last year, but they weren't able to back it up with their play in the NIT.
Key returnees include sophomore guard Jonny Flynn (pictured above) and junior forward Paul Harris.
Arinze Onuaku averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last year and also looks to be a big factor on both ends of the court. Kristof Ongenaet and Rick Jackson also look to contribute to the front court from the bench.
The Orange also get Eric Devendorf back, who is returning from an injury which held him out all of last year. Andy Rautins averaged 7.2 points per game two years ago and also returns this year from injury—adding much needed depth.
Someone will need to step up this season to fill the shoes of sweet-shooting forward Donte Greene, who jumped to the NBA after his first season at Syracuse. Greene led the team in points, rebounds, blocks, and three-pointers made—the Orange has big shoes to fill.
Freshmen will fight for minutes on a squad with a lot of depth.
6'6" forward Mookie Jones has a nice shot and the speed to drive it to the hoop. Montreal native, Kris Joseph, has the size of a forward, but the skills of a guard and can cause matchup problems for any defense.
Projected Starting Five
Jonny Flynn, Guard, 15.7 points per game
Eric Devendorf, Guard, 17.0 points per game
Paul Harris, Forward, 14.5 points per game
Kristof Ongenaet, Forward, 4.5 points per game
Arinze Onuaku, Forward, 12.7 points per game
Jonny Flynn will need to step up this season without Donte Greene around.
Last year, as a freshman, he was thrust into a leading role due to injuries to Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins. He proved he can dish the ball, averaging 5.3 assists per game.
The sophomore will need to take over more of a leadership role this season. Flynn needs to cut down on his 2.7 turnovers per game from last season to remain effective.
Key Games
Syracuse plays a very difficult schedule, as always, since they play in the very talented Big East conference.
The 'Cuse's season tips off at the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic on November 16.
On November 24, the Orange plays the Florida Gators, another team that missed the tourney last year and returns with something to prove. If Syracuse can win this game, it will be on the right track.
On December 20, the Orange play its premier non-conference game, traveling to the FedExForum in Memphis to play the Memphis Tigers.
The Tigers were the NCAA Champion runner-ups last season, but lost many of their star players. They did sign top recruit Tyreke Evans to replace some lost talent. If the Orange can get a win on the road at Memphis, we will know this team is poised to do some damage in March.
When their conference schedule starts, the going only gets tougher. In a one-week span starting January 14, they visit the Georgetown Hoyas, host the Notre Dame Irish, and travel to the playing home of the Pittsburgh Panthers—all perennial Big East powers.
On January 25, they host the Louisville Cardinals at the Carrier Dome. Louisville is one of the favorites this season, listed in most people's top three in the preseason.
No Big East matchup can be looked at as easy with Syracuse playing top-tier teams like the Villanova Wildcats, Marquette Golden Eagles, UConn Huskies, Cincinnati Bearcats, and West Virginia Mountaineers.
Even the Providence Friars can't be looked over this season, as they bring in their new coach, Keno Davis, who brought the Drake Bulldogs into the NCAA tournament as a No. 5 seed last year.
Outlook
Syracuse plays a very hard schedule, but lucked out in the scheduling by only having to play Big East favorites UConn and Louisville once.
They are going to need to win some big conference games down the stretch and beat all of the teams that they are supposed to beat in non-conference play in order to be successful.
The Orange can't afford any bad losses if it wants to make the tournament this year. I expect that they will make it this year as Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf lead the 'Cuse to a bid.
Don't expect it to be easy though.
9 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Brian S. 7 months ago
I like some of your break down, I am huge cuse fan however, if you have watched as much syracuse bball as I have over the years they never make things easy and always drop games they should win. The key really is bringing back Devendorf, which they missed his scoring, and Rautins, which they missed his big shot ability. Flynn needs to definitely take over as a leader. I would love to see some improvement out of Rick Jackson as well, thus far I think he is a bust. Syracuse will get in this year in a very tough and best conference in the country which most likely is going to send 8 maybe even 9 teams, Syracuse should be one of those!
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Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
I agree they always lose the easy ones and then win some big games in conference play to help them make the tourney at the end of the season but that wasn't the case last year. Devendorf needs to be more a passer because two years ago he tried to everything himself.
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Tom Gilmartin 7 months ago
I have been a Syracuse fan for over 25 years now. I hope they can finally make it back to the tourney, and hopefully make the final four!!
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Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
I hope they make it back to the tourney as well. With Devendorf back and Flynn getting better I think they will return to the tourney
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Ralph Schoeps 7 months ago
I think SU will be fine thisa year as it seems a lot of there losses were late collapses (pitt,umass,the first game against gtown) most of which were due to a tired line up due to lack of depth. they are in the tourney and i think you will see improvment from a rested Flynn.
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Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
Yes, having Rautins and Devendorf definitely adds some much needed depth to the guard position, as well as adding freshman Mookie Jones. Their forwards are also deep and I think Paul Harris is due for a breakout year.
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Ralph Schoeps 7 months ago
I agree harris started showing that he had added some range to his game at the end of last year and i think that he will be even more effective this year.
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Brian Reardon 7 months ago
To make it down the stretchit takes maturity and composure which Devendor brings when he is on the court. Him and Fylnn are dangerously quick combo. If Arinze, and Rick coming off the bench, can hold down the middle, multiple scoring threats will be an offensive advantage. Devendorf can bang the three and If Rautins improved his 3-point shot since '06-'07 season, he will be dagerous. The team's got chemistry, Harris, Onuaku and Devendorf have been playing three years together (minus Eric's "fe" game absence). Scoop showed some potetial last year to fill in. I'm interested to see how Mookie and Ongenaet perform as the season begins.
- A 'cuse fan stuck at St Johns Univ.
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Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
Yea, last year down the stretch it was hard with Johnny Flynn forced to be a leader as a freshmen. Devendorf has the experience needed to bring them back to the tourney. I think Mookie can be a big factor off the bench right away.
I feel bad for you being stuck @ st johns..
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