Syracuse Orange Basketball: 2010-2011 Season Preview

The 2009-2010 version of the Syracuse basketball team was one that came into the year with a tempered outlook, viewed as a middle of the pack Big East team by many analysts. But they turned out to be a group that continually outperformed expectations at every step of the season, finishing as one of the most productive squads in coach Jim Boeheim’s 33 year tenure.

The team’s 30-5 overall record and 15-3 mark in Big East play was indicative of how well they met every challenge along the way and gelled as a complete unit.

Every player on the team had a beneficial contribution to make and a valuable role to play. Whether it be the leadership of senior Andy Rautins, the sensational talents of newcomer Wes Johnson or the off the bench energy of a player like Kris Joseph - it all made a difference in Syracuse’s ultimate success.

Now as the Orange get ready to embark on a new season full of challenges and tests, and try to wipe away the sour taste of last year’s Sweet Sixteen loss to eventual national runner up Butler, they must do so without some of last year’s most accomplished and proven players.

Gone is superstar forward Wesley Johnson, whose stay at Syracuse lasted just one season before a bolt to the NBA, as well as seasoned veterans Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku.

Replacing players has never seemed to be a problem for coach Boeheim though, and it looks like he has a talented bunch filled with a few potential breakout names.

This Syracuse team looks to have a lot of unproven potential and they could be in store for another entertaining ride if things break right.

Let’s take a look at how the Orange are shaping up for the upcoming season.

Key Losses

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Wes Johnson #4 of the Syracuse Orange against the Vermont Catamounts during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Small Forward Wesley Johnson
Selected 4th by Minnesota in 2010 NBA Draft
09-10 Averages
Minutes: 35.0
Points: 16.5
Assists: 2.2
Rebounds: 8.5

Shooting Guard Andy Rautins
Selected 38th by New York in 2010 NBA Draft
09-10 Averages
Minutes: 32.5
Points: 12.1
Assists: 4.9
Rebounds: 3.4

Center Arinze Onuaku
09-10 Averages
Minutes: 22.8
Points: 10.5
Assists: 0.6
Rebounds: 5.1

Point Guard: Scoop Jardine

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MARCH 11: Scoop Jardine #11 of the Syracuse Orange handles the ball during the quarterfinal of the 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

No. 11

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘2

Weight: 190

High School: St. John Neumann (Pennsylvania)

09-10 Averages
Minutes: 22.2
Points: 9.1
Rebounds: 1.9
Assists: 4.3
Steals: 1.2
Field Goal: 48 % 
Free Throws: 75 %
3 Point: 38 %

Combo Guard: Brandon Triche

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Brandon Triche #25 of the Syracuse Orange against the Vermont Catamounts during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Image

No. 25

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6‘4

Weight: 205

High School: Jamesville-Dewitt (New York)

09-10 Averages
Minutes: 21.3
Points: 8.1
Rebounds: 1.8
Assists: 2.8
Steals: 0.9
Field Goal: 50 %
Free Throws: 63 %
3 Point: 40 %

Small Forward: Kris Joseph

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Kris Joseph #32 of the Syracuse Orange goes to the hoop against the Vermont Catamounts during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewa

No. 32

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘7

Weight: 210

High School: Archbishop Carroll (Washington D.C.)

09-10 Averages
Minutes: 27.8
Points: 10.8
Rebounds: 5.5
Assists: 1.7
Steals: 1.4
Field Goal: 49 % 
Free Throws: 74 %
3 Point: 22 %

Power Forward: Rick Jackson

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Rick Jackson #00 of the Syracuse Orange dunks the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the championship game of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty

No. 26 

Class: Senior

Height: 6‘9

Weight: 240

High School: St. John Neumann (Pennsylvania)  

09-10 Averages
Minutes: 26.3
Points: 9.7
Rebounds: 7.0
Assists: 1.7
Steals: 1.0
Field Goal: 59 % 
Free Throws: 50 %
3 Point: N/A

Center: Dashonte Riley

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 21: Robert Sacre #00 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs shoots over DaShonte Riley #33 of the Syracuse Orange during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena at HSBC Arena on March 21, 2010 in Buffalo, New York

No. 33

Class: Sophomore

Height: 7‘0

Weight: 230

High School: Detroit Country Day School (Michigan)

09-10 Averages
Minutes: 9.2
Points: 1.4
Rebounds: 1.5
Assists: 0.6
Steals: 0.1
Field Goal: 60 % 
Free Throws: 45 %
3 Point: N/A

Key Reserves

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 19: Mookie Jones #3 of the Syracuse Orange lays up a basket against the California Golden Bears during their semifinal game of the 2K Sports Classic on November 19, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsa

Small Forward: Mookie Jones

No. 3
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6‘6
Weight: 220
High School: Peekskill (New York) 

09-10 Averages
Minutes: 10.5
Points: 5.8
Rebounds: 1.6
Assists: 0.8
Steals: 0.7
Field Goal: 45 % 
Free Throws: 57 %
3 Point: 44 %

Small Forward: James Southerland

No. 43
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6‘8
Weight: 210
High School: Notre Dame Prep (Massachusetts) 

09-10 Averages
Minutes: 7.5
Points: 3.2
Rebounds: 1.2
Assists: 0.4
Steals: 0.6
Field Goal: 41 % 
Free Throws: 50 %
3 Point: 29 %

Key Newcomers

Fabricio de Melo

Syracuse's 2010 Recruiting Class

Fabricio de Melo
Position: Center
No. 51
Height: 7‘0
Weight: 260
High School: Sagemont Upper School (Florida)
Rivals Rating: #2 Center (5 Stars)
Scout Rating: #4 Center (5 Stars)

Dion Waiters
Position: Shooting Guard
No. 3
Height: 6‘3
Weight: 210
High School: Life Center Academy (New Jersey)
Rivals Rating: #5 Shooting Guard (4 Stars)
Scout Rating: #4 Shooting Guard (4 Stars)

C.J. Fair
Position: Small Forward
No. 5
Height: 6‘7
Weight: 200
High School: Brewster Academy (New Hampshire)
Rivals Rating: #19 Small Forward (4 Stars)
Scout Rating: #21 Small Forward (4 Stars)

Baye Moussa-Keita
Position: Center
No. 12
Height: 6‘10
Weight: 210
High School: Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
Rivals Rating: 3 Stars
Scout Rating: #15 Center (4 Stars)

Schedule

Joe Murphy/Getty Images

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange looks on in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regionals at the FedExForum on March 27, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo b

November 12th: Northern Iowa

November 14th: Canisius

November 16th: Detroit

November 16th: William & Mary

November 26th: Michigan (Atlantic City, NJ)

November 27th: Georgia Tech/UTEP (Atlantic City, NJ)

November 30th: Cornell

December 4th: North Carolina State

December 7th: Michigan State (New York City)

December 11th: Colgate

December 18th: Iona

December 20th: Morgan State

December 22nd: Drexel

December 28th: Providence

January 1st: Notre Dame

January 8th: @Seton Hall

January 12th: @St. John’s 

January 15th: Cincinnati

January 17th: @Pittsburgh

January 22nd: Villanova

January 25th: Seton Hall

January 29th: @Marquette

February 2nd: @UCONN

February 5th: @South Florida

February 9th: Georgetown

February 12th: @Louisville

February 14th: West Virginia

February 19th: Rutgers

February 21st: @Villanova

February 26th: @Georgetown

March 5th: DePaul

Season Summary

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Rick Jackson #0, Kris Joseph #32, Scoop Jardine #11 and Andy Rautins #1 of the Syracuse Orange react after a play against the Vermont Catamounts during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on

Syracuse’s success this season will depend largely on the development of Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph as go to players.

Many are expecting Jardine and Joseph to go from part time contributors to All Big East performers, but that type of elevation won’t come easy.

Yes, the two both have the talent to become some of the biggest names in the conference, but it remains to be seen how effective they can be when the pressure to perform is squarely on their shoulders.

Joseph, who many are expecting to become Syracuse’s next star, will have to step into the mighty big shoes that Wesley Johnson leaves, but he’s absolutely capable of handling it.

In the backcourt Jardine and last year’s point guard Brandon Triche will be in charge of running the show. Both are versatile players who can play either guard position, so it will be interesting to see who emerges as the main man to run the offense, even though it’s likely to be Jardine.

Steady senior Rick Jackson returns to provide a big presence down low, but the most crucial factor for Syracuse’s inside success will be the development of highly talked about freshman Fab Melo.

The seven foot Brazilian has already been voted the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year and many around college basketball view him as a possible one and done candidate. Melo’s agility, tremendous athleticism for his size and shot blocking ability provide Syracuse with a difference maker inside that few schools in the Big East can compete with.

Talented reserves like Mookie Jones and James Southerland as well as intriguing newcomer Dion Waiters bolster Syracuse’s bench and will allow them to be more fresh and flexible than most of the other teams in the conference.

With potential rising stars like Joseph, Jardine and Melo, as well as solid foundation players like Triche and Jackson, Coach Jim Boehiem has a team that is capable of making a run at not only a Big East Championship, but a National Championship as well.

If Wesley Johnson had returned for his final season, this would probably be a team worthy of No. 1 in the nation talk going into the season, but the loss of Johnson is moot right now. The players that are here are capable of developing into another special Syracuse team.

No, this team probably won’t roll to 30 wins and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament like last year. But if they enter the tournament with some steam, they’re the type of crew that no one in the country will want to match up against.