The long wait is over. Syracuse basketball, fresh off of a miraculous run to the Final Four is back and maybe better than ever. Or at least better than it has been in several years. The team has a lot of new pieces but even more talent and still more depth. So what should Syracuse fans look for in the season opener against Colgate on Friday.
Andrew White Ready to Make it Rain
The graduate transfer dazzled in Syracuse’s preseason finale against LeMoyne on Tuesday night. White knocked down eight of his twelve field goal attempts, including six out of his ten from downtown. After the game, White said it was all about his mindset. He said that he watched both Steph Curry’s 0-10 game that ended his three point streak and his game days later where he hit 13 three pointers, setting an NBA record. White said he could see it in Curry’s eyes that he believed he would make shots and he is trying to bring that same mindset.
The Press 
Syracuse gave their opponents a healthy dose of the press during the preseason. The Orange even mixed in a little man to man against IUP (which failed miserably). Now that the regular season is upon us and the games are beginning to count, it will be interesting to see how much Syracuse actually goes with the press, even in a winning situation. After Tuesday’s win over LeMoyne, Frank Howard said that they were experimenting with the press and said that he didn’t think that they would use it as often during the regular season. However, if Syracuse decides to press with an increased frequency they have the bodies to do it. Even with Matthew Moyer being redshirted, the Orange have plenty of depth and will likely run nine deep this year.
Colgate may not be the best opponent to judge Syracuse against but this is the first time in about eight months that the Orange are playing that counts. So buckle up. Syracuse basketball is back.
