Syracuse Orange
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #55
Conference Rank: #7 ACC
The Orange lost four starters from their NCAA Tournament team from last year. Syracuse has not finished higher than seventh in the ACC over the last five seasons. And with four starters gone, this may not be the year for Syracuse to put an end to that little streak. Without Tyus Battle, Oshae Brissett, Frank Howard and Paschal Chukwu, Coach Jim Boeheim has a lot of holes to fill. However, as always, Syracuse has the talent to compete in the ACC and reach the NCAA Tournament.
2018-19 Record: 20-14, 10-8
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jim Boeheim
Coach Record: 946-385 at Syracuse, 946-385 overall
Key Departed Players:
Tyus Battle, Guard, 17.2 ppg
Oshae Brissett, Forward, 12.4 ppg
Frank Howard, Guard, 8.9 ppg
Paschal Chukwu, Center, 4.4 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Elijah Hughes, Senior, Forward, 13.7 ppg
Buddy Boeheim, Sophomore, Guard, 6.8 ppg
Marek Dolezaj, Junior, Forward, 4.1 ppg
Jalen Carey, Sophomore, Guard, 3.5 ppg
Robert Braswell, Sophomore, Forward, 2.2 ppg
Bourama Sidibe, Junior, Forward, 1.9 ppg
Key New Players:
John Bol Ajak, Freshman, Center
Jesse Edwards, Freshman, Center
Joseph Girard III, Freshman, Guard
Brycen Goodine, Freshman, Guard
Quincy Guerrier, Freshman, Forward
Projection:
Elijah Hughes is the only double-digit scorer returning. The senior averaged 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds last year and will be asked to do even more in 2019-2020. The 6-6 forward connected on 87 three-pointers at a 36.9 percent clip. He has the size to shoot over many defenders or use his strength and speed to attack the basket. Buddy Boeheim was a key player off the bench as a freshman, averaging 6.8 points per game. He too is a good shooter and will hit plenty of long balls. Fellow sophomore Jalen Carey will add more options on the perimeter, while Marek Dolezaj, Robert Braswell and Bourama Sidibe are all experienced options in the frontcourt. But the success or failure of Syracuse will largely rest on the shoulders of the five man freshman class. Brycen Goodine has the talent to make a big impact right away on the perimeter, while Quincy Guerrier is also a four-star recruit who will need to add options in the frontcourt. Guerrier is a strong rebounder and should at least be able to add a helping hand in that regard. This is a young team, but Syracuse has certainly had success with young teams in the past. If the pieces all fit together, this could be a very dangerous Syracuse team by March. But it remains to be seen if Syracuse can have enough success before that to put themselves into a position to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.7 (256th in nation, 11th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.1 (43, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.4 (280, 12)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.1 (21, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.1 (138, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.3 (233, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.5 (255, 15)
Rebound Margin: -2.3 (274, 12)
Assists Per Game: 12.0 (276, 13)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.5 (129, 7)
Madness 2019 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#80 Brycen Goodine
#141 Quincy Guerrier
