On Friday both Syracuse Men’s and Women’s Basketball had their annual Media Days as well as the Orange Tip-Off event at the JMA Dome. We had coverage throughout the day, and there was plenty to dissect from both programs. Here are some of the big takeaways garnered.
Felicia Legette-Jack Is Exactly What Her Program Needed
She is nothing but a bundle of joy and a preacher of positivity. When she addressed the media today, Legette-Jack made sure to discuss her philosophy of “Character, Academics, Basketball”. That philosophy is exactly the culture shift this program needed. It’s one thing to want to win and push your players as hard as you possibly can to make that a reality. It’s another to want to help your players grow both on and off the court as student-athletes and as people. After she spoke, we caught a few players making TikToks, and Legette-Jack joined the fun. Could you imagine this happening a year ago? Her players also spoke with confidence in her and the team, seeing success on the horizon. Legette-Jack is a godsend in every sense of the word.
Teisha Hyman Has that Dog In Her
After missing all of 2020-21 due to injury, the White Plains, NY native reintroduced herself to the SU faithful by averaging over 16 PPG and 6 RPG. In that resurgent season, she put up 27 points, 15 assists, 11 steals, and 8 rebounds. Yes, you read that correctly. Two more rounds and she would’ve had a quadruple-double. During the women’s team’s intrasquad scrimmage today, Hyman looked like she hadn’t missed a beat.
Because Hyman is so athletic and versatile in her game, defenders are forced to step in as she penetrates, creating an open shot for a teammate. Hyman is without a doubt the #1 option for Legette-Jack’s squad.
Jim Boeheim’s Youth Movement Is Real
It was all too evident how big a role this recruiting class is going to play. When Boeheim’s squad took the floor for its intrasquad scrimmage, all six freshmen took the floor. Boeheim said earlier this week that SU would more-likely-than-not deploy a 9-10 man rotation this season, but the fact that all of Judah Mintz, Chris Bunch, Justin Taylor, Quadir Copeland, Maliq Brown, and Peter Carey took the floor was very eye-opening. Particularly because the question of who would act as Jesse Edwards’ backup may have just gotten a little more clarity. Benny Williams’ lack of playing time last year emphasized a narrative that Boeheim just doesn’t tend to play freshmen. This year that certainly won’t be the case.
Joe Girard Will Be Fine at the 2
It doesn’t matter who you ask about it, there’s plenty of confidence in Girard being able to make a smooth transition. All of Gerry McNamara, Boeheim, Mintz, and Girard himself expressed no concerns about the change. And let’s be real, Girard has never been shy to shoot the ball throughout his career. We’re not saying that’s a bad thing, but we are saying there are ways it could’ve been done more efficiently. Perhaps a move to the shooting guard slot is exactly what needs to happen to truly unlock Girard’s peak. He’s been hotter than Steph Curry at times, but he’s also dealt with some struggles. Girard’s move to shooting guard could be a game-changing move for Boeheim and company, perhaps one that completely changes how fans remember the Glens Falls native.
So all of the big preseason events have come and gone. Now what? Well Fizz Nation, we’re in the waiting game. Neither team opens its season until November 7. Sure, the men have two exhibition games and the women have one at the JMA Dome, but that just doesn’t have the same pop. But patience is a virtue, and we’ll have to exhibit that until the season tips off. But as we wait, enjoy the stretch of the football season.
