Syracuse Basketball: Best and Worst Case Scenarios for 2013 Recruits Next Year

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim just keeps rebuilding the program year after year with top recruiting classes. That is no different for 2013. The Orange's new class is ranked sixth by ESPN. While there are five new recruits heading to Syracuse next season, not all of them will see time with the Orange right away.

Two of the five recruits, Tyler Ennis and Tyler Roberson, are ranked in the ESPN top 100.

The 2012 Orange have just one senior starter, guard Brandon Triche. James Southerland, who leads the Orange off the bench, is also in his final collegiate season. Two starters, Michael Carter-Williams and C.J. Fair, could both declare early for the NBA draft.

Depending on the roster turnover that happens at Syracuse, more of the 2013 recruits could see increased minutes in their freshman year.

Let's take a look at the best and worst case scenarios for the crop of incoming freshmen at Syracuse.

F Tyler Roberson

Best Case: 

Tyler Roberson is  a top recruit who is sure to see the court in his first year at Syracuse. He is one of the best forward recruits in the nation, ranked as the seventh-best small forward by Rivals.com and the 11th best power forward by ESPN.

His size and versatility will be a perfect fit down low in the Syracuse 2-3 zone. While he needs to improve his offense, he is known for his defense and shot-blocking ability.

Roberson's best case situation for 2013 would be to crack the starting lineup early in the season. Although Syracuse is deep in the frontcourt, C.J. Fair could decide to leave school after this current season.

If that happens, look for Roberson to challenge the returning forwards, Jerami Grant, DaJuan Coleman and Rakeem Christmas for the starting spot.

Worst Case:

Roberson is too good not to play next season. If Fair decides to stick around, the frontcourt would become more crowded and therefore minutes would have to be spread around.

Even if that scenario plays out, Roberson will still be inline to take the place of James Southerland as the first forward in the rotation off the bench. Though Baye Keita will be in his senior year, the freshman has more upside and should pass him on the depth chart.

Syracuse fans will get to know Roberson next season either way. Chances are he will wind up starting, but if things don't work in his favor, he'll be the first person Boeheim turns to on the bench.

PG Tyler Ennis

Best Case: 

Tyler Ennis is one of the best point guard recruits in the nation for 2013. He would likely already be in line for major minutes as a freshman, and the situation at Syracuse will cause that to happen.

Current point guard Michael Carter-Williams leads the country in assists and is considered one of the best point guards in the nation. Though he's just a sophomore, Chad Ford of ESPN has him ranked as the ninth best NBA prospect this year.

If Carter-Williams goes early, that will open the door for Ennis to start from day one. Especially considering that the Orange could be left with just three other guards on the roster heading into next season.

Worst Case:

Ennis is going to play for the Orange next year, he's too good not to. However, his worst case situation would be if Carter-Williams decides to take one more year to develop and bypass the 2013 draft.

Even if that would happen, Ennis would see time on the floor, possibly even with Carter-Williams if Jim Boeheim wants to go with a more offensive lineup at times.

Trevor Cooney, who already sees 13 minutes a game as a freshman this season, could steal some of Ennis' minutes if Carter-Williams is still on the team.

C/PF Chinonso Obokoh

Best Case:

Chinonso Obokoh is a 6'10" center who will bring great size to the center of the Syracuse 2-3 zone. As mentioned before, the Orange are loaded down low, so minutes will be hard to come by in 2013.

His best case scenario would be near the bottom of an eight or nine-man rotation. He will likely offer little on the offensive side next year, but can contribute in both shot-blocking and rebounding.

Obokoh fits the mold of Baye Keita, a tall body who can clog the lane and change the direction of shots.

In 2013, he could hope for minutes that rival those of Keita when he was a freshman. During the 2010-11 season, Keita played 14.6 minutes a game.

Worst Case:

Redshirting is the most likely outcome for Obokoh next season. Though he would probably prefer to see minutes right away, that just doesn't seem possible with all of the post players in front of him on the depth chart.

Keita will be around for a final season, and having Obokoh on the bench may not make sense, as it seems the two have similar games.

On top of those expected to be around, if C.J. Fair decides to stay, that would take up another spot and surely force the true freshman to sit out the 2013 season.

SG Ron Patterson

Best Case:

Ron Patterson is another recruit whose position will land him minutes for the Orange in 2013. He is a shooting guard who is referred to as "a physically gifted guard" by his ESPN scouting report. His length will be very useful on the perimeter of the Syracuse zone.

Current shooting guard Brandon Triche is a senior, which will help give Patterson playing time, while 2012 freshman Trevor Cooney will present the only major competition for him.

Cooney, who has an outside shot that makes him a dangerous weapon, should have a firm grasp on the starting spot next season. However, look for Patterson to see significant minutes off the bench as a freshman.

Worst Case:

Syracuse is so thin at guard that there really isn't a worst case scenario for Patterson in 2013. He's going to see minutes, as long as he stays healthy.

The only thing that could complicate his situation would be if Michael Carter-Williams would decide to stay at 'Cuse for one more season. Patterson would still see minutes, but they could be lessened depending on which lineup Jim Boeheim would go with throughout the course of a game.

SF B.J. Johnson

Best Case:

Small forward B.J. Johnson will need a few things to go his way if he hopes to see the court in 2013. The Orange are set to return four post players who started last season and one who came off the bench. On top of that, top forward recruit Tyler Roberson will be added to the mix next season.

One thing working in Johnson's favor is, as mentioned before, that C.J. Fair may decided to leave early. That would at least open up the chance of a spot at small forward.

Starting as a freshman is out of the question for Johnson. The best that he could hope for is a spot on the bench near the bottom of the rotation and somewhere around 8-10 minutes a game.

 Worst Case:

Johnson is a raw talent who will need some time to develop. Pair that with how deep 'Cuse is at forward, and that equals a redshirt for him in 2013. Though it's labeled, the worst case, it's not actually that bad.

Sure, most young kids would want to see the floor right away. But Johnson just isn't ready to be effective at the collegiate level. Redshirting will give him time to grow and develop and get ready to make a contribution in 2014 as some spots at forward should open up by then.