2007-2008 BIG EAST PREVIEW: 4) SYRACUSE

October 27, 2007



SYRACUSE ESSENTIALS:

Official Website of Syracuse Basketball

2007-2008 Official Syracuse Roster & Bios

Meet Coach Jim Boeheim

Carrier Dome

2007-2008 Syracuse Basketball Schedule


OVERVIEW:

Jim Boehiem, Syracuse Class of 1966, has truly had a remarkable run in his 31 seasons as head coach of his alma mater. The Basketball Hall of Fame inductee has taken the Orange to 25 NCAA Tournaments in his tenure, which has included three trips to the NCAA Final Four (1987, 1996 and 2003) and his career accomplishments as the Syracuse head coach hit the top of the College Basketball World with Syracuse’s National Championship following the 2002-2003 season.

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After a brief professional career following graduation from Syracuse, Boehiem returned to Syracuse as a Graduate Assistant under Roy Danforth and was a full-time assistant on the Syracuse staff that helped the Orange to their first Final Four appearance in school history in 1975. A year later, James Arthur Boeheim was named head coach at Syracuse and 750 wins (21st all-time) later, ‘Jim’ is still going strong leading the Orange, armed with a tremendous recruiting class, into the 2007-2008 season.

Syracuse has been a model program of consistency over the years in the Big East. Only two times in the history of the Big East have the Orange had a losing record in conference play. What is more incredible is that both times that it happened, the Orange ended up winning the Big East Conference Tournament (1981 and 2006) that season. No matter what happens year in and year out, you can count on the Orange being a serious factor in the Big East conference.





THE 2006-2007 SEASON:

Expectations for the recruiting class of Demetris Nichols, Terrence Roberts and Darryl Watkins had always been high, but the trio had not lived up to those expectations their first three seasons wearing Orange. Their last chance for redemption was the 2006-2007, but in a surprising omission Syracuse was left out of the NCAA Tournament and sent to the NIT.

For the first time in the history of the Big East conference (since 1980), Syracuse has gone three seasons without a win in the NCAA Tournament. After a pair of 1st round eliminations in 2005 and 2006, the Orange did not get an invitation to dance in 2007, despite a 10-6 record in the Big East. Even six months later, coach Boehiem still wonders if the 16-team Big East set-up is wise if a team does not get into the NCAA Tournament with 10 wins in the Big East conference.

Out of Conference home losses to Wichita State and Drexel, combined with their loss in New York City in their lone marquee out of conference match-up with Oklahoma State, left the Orange with very few resume building wins. However, a late-season upset over Big East champion Georgetown seemed to cement their place in the Big Dance. Yet, on Selection Sunday, the Orange did not see their names called.

Demetris Nichols turned in a big season as a senior, leading the Orange in scoring at nearly 19 PPG. However, Terrence Roberts and Darryl Watkins never seemed to improve their games by and great lengths while at Syracuse and their inconsistency continued to haunt the Orange time and again, leading to some painful losses that haunted Syracuse throughout the season. Now the Orange turn to a new group of young horses looking to get back into the NCAA Tournament and continue the Orange tradition of post-season success.





THE BACKCOURT:

The last few seasons Syracuse has been handcuffed by very inconsistent play at the point guard position. In many instances, they have been relying on scoring lead guards to run the show and the results have been very mixed. Through three seasons, Josh Wright has not shown any improvement in terms of ‘feel’ for the game. Wright is an exciting athlete but seems to play too fast and gets caught in between too often on his drives. He has never shown to be a consistent shooter and will settle for a perimeter jump shot at times that makes one scratch their head. His inability to lock down the role of point guard for extended periods of time has led to Syracuse relying on scoring guards like Gerry McNamara and Eric Devendorf to take on more ball-handling and distribution duties than they probably need. This year, Syracuse faithful hope their point guard woes will be cured by incoming McDonald’s All-American freshman Jonny Flynn. A native of Niagara Falls (NY), Flynn is also a superb athlete that can rise above the rim to finish and penetrate a defense with his lightning-quick handle. Where Flynn hopes to separate himself from Wright and other point guard candidates is his ability to run a team with his feel for the game. Knowing when to push the ball in transition and when to back off the gas pedal is a key for any point guard and Flynn has shown the ability to do this in the past.

Alongside Wright or Flynn remains junior shooting guard Eric Devendorf. The talkative and competitive Devendorf is one of the better scorers in the Big East with a knack for coming up with a creative bucket going into the lane when Syracuse needs points. Although he is right-handed, we have seen him time and time again go into the lane to his left and finish with the left hand. Devendorf can also knock down mid-range jumpers and step out to the 3-pt line more and more. As a sophomore, Devendorf averaged nearly 15 PPG and over 4 assists, while shooting 35% beyond the arc and 79% from the line.

Backing-up Devendorf is ½ of the Neumann-Goretti connection of out of Philadelphia, Antonio Jardine. With junior Any Rautins, last year’s top perimeter threat, out for the season after suffering a knee injury playing for the Canadian National Team this summer, Jardine will play a more prominent role in the rotation this season. Although definitely not the reliable shooter from the arc that Rautins was, Jardine plays the game with a Philly toughness that can be contagious and will add some more athletic ability to the Orange mix.

Rounding out the backcourt might be the key to the Orange season: Paul Harris. Coming into Syracuse last season with loads of preseason hype as a top recruit, Harris struggled finding a role last year as Demetris Nichols had a big year at the small forward position, which is Harris’ natural position. Forced to play a non-ballhandling two-guard role, Harris never found his niche in the Syracuse system or that vibe with a point guard. Now, good friend from home Jonny Flynn joins the squad and Harris will be back in his more natural point-forward position, where he is likely to handle the ball more, look for Harris to become a leader on this team, although just a sophomore. Harris is a tremendous competitor that plays hard and tough from tip to horn. With a team heavy in seniors last year, his desire to get down and dirty on the court never seemed to rub off on those set in their ways. Look for Harris to be more of an example to the younger players and the entire team to feed off his energy. His defensive abilities could also force Syracuse out of their zone more and extend pressure more often, something guards around the Big East will not be happy to see. Harris also is one of the best rebounders, not just for his size, in the conference and although just 6’4, he will hold his own on the boards on the back of the SU zone.


THE FRONTCOURT:

This is the area that Syracuse has the most question marks surrounding as they will not return anyone from last year’s team with any significant experience. The opening day starters are likely McDonald’s All-American frosh Donte’ Greene and redshirt sophomore Arinze Onuaku. Greene, a 6’10, 220 lb sophomore from Baltimore (MD) comes in with obvious comparisons to former Orange star Carmelo Anthony. Greene played at the same High School as Anthony (Towson Catholic) and for an AAU team that bared his name (Team Melo). The highly rated recruit has great size and skill level for a forward, but it remains to be seen if he has the mental edge and toughness that Anthony developed through the course of his freshman season with the Orange that helped lead SU to the national title in his lone season in Orange. Greene, no doubt, is a big-time talent that is silky smooth offensively with his 6’10 frame, however, he is more perimeter orientated for the Big East game at this point, so the expectations of the next ‘Melo could not a little mis-placed. The pre-season co-freshman of the year, along with Flynn, as voted by the Big East coaches, has a lot of pressure on him, but still should be very good right away.

Onuaku is one that many are overlooking, but the 6’9, 260 lb center might be one of the more surprising players to watch this season. Not the typical Orange center of the past, but Onuaku knows his job is to rebound, defend and convert the opportunities that come his way. He will bring the brawn next to the athletic Greene’ in the post. It is imperative that Onuaku does not throw his weight around too much and land in foul trouble, but the people who point to the center position as a Syracuse weakness might be surprised to find it manned very well by Onuaku, who missed last season due to injury.

Rounding at the frontcourt depth is JUCO transfer Kristof Ongenaet (6’8, 215 lbs), freshman Rick Jackson (6’9, 230 lbs), sophomore Devin Brennan-McBride (6’9, 250 lbs) and freshman Sean Williams (6’11, 220 lbs). Ongenaet and Jackson are most likely to get the minutes behind the starters, with Onganaet spelling Greene and Jackson playing the center position behind Onuaku. Onganaet will provide a more physical force spelling Greene and Jackson, Jardine’s high school teammate, is a more athletic option to Onuaku in the post.

2007-2008 PREDICTION:

There is a lot to like with this Syracuse team, but the unknown factor lies in their youth. Observers have felt that this is one of Jim Boeheim’s most athletic squads that he has had and the demeanor of Paul Harris is rubbing off on the players more this year, leading to more intense practices on both ends of the floor. The Orange have a mix of some veteran’s returning, but also the need for these newcomers to be good really quick will give them a chance to grow quickly. Boeheim does seem to shine on the bench with a younger squad hungry to prove their talent. With the added incentive to get back into the NCAA Tournament and but an end to the streak of winless NCAA Tournament season, look for a solid bounce-back year out of Syracuse.

BIG EAST PREDICTION: 12-6