What you can expect from the Orange this year

by James Finneral

There were many questions circulating around the Syracuse basketball team after its NCAA violations. With recruiting being limited no one was sure if the Orange could be a big time program in the country. The Orange proved all the doubters wrong early in the season, winning their first six games and taking home the championship at the Battle 4 Atlantis. They have defeated two ranked teams in Uconn and Texas A&M. After the Battle 4 Atlantis things have gone a little downhill for Syracuse. They are 3-3 after the Battle 4 Atlantis and sit at a 9-3 overall record.

 The Orange have not yet played a game in the ACC. The ACC is one of the most powerful conferences in college basketball featuring UNC, Duke, Notre Dame, Virginia, Louisville and other great programs. This will be a difficult conference for Syracuse to play in, but they have to talent to win some big games and build their tournament resume. I believe that Syracuse will wind up anywhere between 6th place and 10th place in the ACC.

This year's Syracuse team is headlined by senior, Michael Gbinije. After transferring from Duke to Syracuse for his sophomore year, Gbinije has worked his way up the depth chart. This year he is the leader of the team and the guy they rely on to score. He has started the year averaging 19 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds.

Malachi Richardson is a freshman from New Jersey who has made an immediate impact for the Orange. He is an athletic 6'6" swingman with a decent three point touch. Richardson has averaged 12 points and 4 rebounds a game for Syracuse. Senior, Trevor Cooney is stepping up both his offensive and defensive game. The three point marksman is averaging 13 points and 2 steals. The Orange will need him to keep up this production in order for them to be successful. Tyler Lydon is another talented freshman that has been a strong big man averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds. Lydon will have his hands full with the many powerful and talented big men of the ACC. Lastly junior, Tyler Roberson is a 6'8" forward who has been a beast on the glass this year for Syracuse. Roberson and Lydon work well together in the front-court.

Overall this Syracuse team is a little small compared to some ACC teams, but they are very athletic. They have enough talent to be in the NCAA tournament, but playing in the ACC will not be easy for them. The Orange will be on the cusp of making the tournament this year, they will just need to pull out some big wins.