Syracuse Basketball: Who Will Take the Last Shot for the Orange Next Season?

Every basketball team selects one guy to take the last shot with the game on the line. For some teams it's their best player, for some their best shooter, but the keys to a great clutch player are his confidence in himself and his teammates' confidence in him.

Last season the Orange relied on Dion Waiters, Kris Joseph, and Scoop Jardine to take the late game shots. However, since all of them have moved on to the NBA, the Orange need to find a new player to take over the reigns.

Since the player must be able to shoot the basketball, that eliminates about half the team. That leaves Syracuse with James Southerland, C.J. Fair, Michael Carter-Williams, Brandon Triche, and Trevor Cooney as potential options. 

C.J. Fair has struggled with his outside shooting over the past two seasons, so that essentially eliminates him. Michael Carter-Williams seemed tentative during his limited playing time last season, so unless he became much more confident in his abilities, he is not an ideal candidate to take on this important role. 

Trevor Cooney is obviously an unknown commodity in this competition, as he is a redshirt freshman. So Cooney must prove himself before he is asked to take on such a big responsibility. 

This leaves coach Jim Boeheim to decide whether James Southerland or Brandon Triche takes the last shot. 

Although Southerland is a better three point shooter, I would have to give Brandon Triche the responsibility of taking the last shot. 

Triche, like Southerland, is a senior who has a lot of experience with the Orange. In fact, Triche has started every game that he has played in his Syracuse career. 

Triche also can create his own shot off the dribble, unlike Southerland, who is primarily a catch-and-shoot player. 

In the end it will be Jim Boeheim's decision to pick who is best suited to take the last shot for the Orange next season, but in my opinion, Brandon Triche would be his best option.