Syracuse Basketball: 5 Players Who Need to Step Up in a Big Way Next Season

With four major contributors moving on after a thrilling run to the Elite Eight, there are some big shoes to fill for the Syracuse Orange heading into next season.

Luckily, Jim Boeheim has several weapons returning to his squad, along with highly-touted recruits DaJuan Coleman and Jerami Grant.

Next year's success is largely dependent on whether this year's role players can blossom into stars. Players who once held lesser roles will now be relied on for most of the heavy lifting.

Here's a breakdown of five Syracuse players who need to step up in a big way next season.

Brandon Triche

Brandon Triche will be the only four-year starter on the Orange next year, and that role comes with greater responsibility on and off the court.

He'll be counted on for more minutes and crunch-time production than ever before, but his biggest improvement needs to be vocal leadership.

It doesn't have to be a dramatic difference or a change in personality. But a little more fire on the court and some behind-the-scenes captaincy from Triche could go a long way for the underclassmen.

James Southerland

Also entering his senior year is James Southerland, who saw intermittent and inconsistent batches of playing time this season. His minutes will come at a more consistent clip next year, so he needs to be ready to contribute in a major way.

Boeheim will continue to take advantage of his versatility. Southerland is one of the only players who can knock down threes and also mix it up in the paint.

He only averaged 3.1 rebounds per game and 34 percent shooting from distance last year. Both of those numbers need to climb in 2012-13.

Rakeem Christmas

During the 2012 NCAA tournament, Rakeem Christmas got a taste of what his increased role will look like next year.

When it comes to rebounding and defensive activity, Christmas is ready to produce as a legitimate Big East center.

Offensively, he's still a project. His footwork, spacing and court awareness all need refinement, not to mention his touch off the glass and short-range jumper.

Orange fans aren't asking for Rick Jackson numbers, they're just asking for him to take things up a notch.

C.J. Fair

After a superb sophomore campaign, C.J. Fair will play an even more pivotal role in Syracuse's zone and in its offense as a junior.

Out of all the Orange returners, he's the only one who played more than 20 minutes per game on the back line of the zone. Fair will be the key forward when it comes to containment and defensive rebounding.

Offensively, Boeheim will expect him to reach double digits consistently and improve further on his outside shooting. His baseline jumper could be a dagger for opponents next year.

Michael Carter-Williams

Michael Carter-Williams is the returner that Orange fans are most excited about.

Why? He showed flashes of brilliance during his sparse playing time this year. His successful stints as a freshman suggest that he'll have an electrifying career as Syracuse's point guard.

With his long frame, court vision and agility, Carter-Williams could be the piece that sets the Orange apart in the Big East.

My favorable projection? He'll average eight points and five assists per game next season.