Jim Boeheim already said this is a very experienced team.
Despite losing Marek Dolezaj, Quincy Guerrier, Kadary Richmond, and Alan Griffin Syracuse returns their entire backcourt. Forward Cole Swider brings in three years of collegiate experience from Villanova. Combo-guard Symir Torrence played two seasons at Marquette. The real question is what will the big-man situation look like.
Bourama Sidibe is back for what seems like his ninth season on the Hill. The 6’10” center suffered a knee injury in the opener against Bryant last year and missed the entire season. How well he will play and how much he will play is to be determined based on his now injury prone frame. The Orange are still chasing the pipe dream that he can be effective for the duration of a season.
John-Bol Ajak and Jesse Edwards are the other two bigs with NCAA playing time. Ajak entered the transfer portal, only to return when the phone didn’t ring. Edwards added 10 pounds of muscle from last season, but says his mobility hasn’t taken a hit. Boeheim says the only thing keeping Edwards from spreading his wings in the ACC is the physical leap he needed to take. Last year, he yielded at least five rebounds and blocked a minimum of one shot in every game he played double-digit minutes. Expect him to be the bread-winner in the middle of the Zone.
Syracuse fans are likely intrigued to see Frank Anselem. The sophomore played a grant total of 26 minutes over 4 games. But, he was getting some four-star love coming out of Prolific Prep, one of the best in the nation. It seems like Anselem has the higher ceiling compared to the other centers on the team. If he doesn’t get floor time this season, it would be surprising to see him return for a third.
Unlike any other position, it’s unclear how this position group is going to pan out. No matter how well the shooters play, it won’t matter if the men in the middle can’t step up.
