Like the football season, the early struggles of the Syracuse basketball team is an early indicator of what is expected to come in the near future.
After the near loss to Villanova, it was not panic time for SU football.¬†After eight games for Syracuse basketball and a 5-3 record, it is not panic time for basketball. But, here’s the catch: start looking ahead past this season.¬†
This is not a rebuilding season, but more so it is one to look past because this team will not go very far. They do not have the tools and experience to get things done. They can’t shoot from distance, they can’t make free throws, so realistically, driving to the basket can only do so much.
This is the first time Syracuse basketball has not been ranked since the 2009 season. In the most recent Top 25 poll, Syracuse did not even get a single vote. It has two key players in Chris McCullough and Rakeem Christmas. McCullough is already getting lottery pick looks, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford, so it is highly possible that he does not return to Syracuse for his sophomore season.
Kaleb Joseph is not ready to handle the lead point guard role. Jim Boeheim favors having a freshman learn from an experienced point guard, but this year, there is nobody to teach him. This is one reason this team is struggling — the inexperienced ball handler who would have been much better had he been learning from someone like Tyler Ennis.
Trevor Cooney has his moments where he looks good but when the team is struggling, they need a guy with experience to step it up and be a leader. He has not. It is as simple as that. He needs to do more than just put up the long ball. Cooney is capable of driving to the basket. He may not finish, but he will get to the line and make his free throws.
Then there is that small forward position that is completely up in the air. Tyler Roberson is not a guy who is helping Syracuse right now. BJ Johnson showed early signs when he scored 19 points against Kennesaw State.
The bottom line is this: don’t completely give up yet, but start looking ahead to next season because the near future is much brighter for Syracuse basketball.¬†The team may be young, but it is young talent that does not exactly need to learn from someone.¬†
Look ahead because it is unlikely that this team will make it to the NCAA tournament. If it does, it is looking at one of the lower seeds. Perhaps the NIT is a place for the Orange this year. It is time to get excited about next season because that one is more promising and success is much more likely with the freshmen class coming in.
Posted: Austin Pollack
