The 'Cuse is on a come back! Syracuse (21-14, 9-9) last season failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament and made a run in the postseason NIT only to bail out in the quarterfinal round to UMass. The biggest issue for the Orange last year was depth at every position, well, this year it should not be a problem. Eric Devendorf a 6'4'' guard played in only the first 10 games last year averaging 17 pts a game before suffering a knee injury and missing the remainder of the season, is back and healthy and also returning from missing all of last season is 6'5'' guard Andy Rautins who had a solid soph season in 2006-07. With these two additions and also the debut of 6'6'' swingman Mookie Jones who helped lead Peekskill (NY) High School to 2 state Class A titles gives coach Jim Boeheim the added depth they desparately needed a year ago.
Jim Boeheim enters his 33rd year as head coach of Syracuse something very rare in division 1 college basketball. He probably won't win his 2nd national championship this year but the fact he has been on the sidelines of the Carrier Dome this long is a remarkable accomplishment and a down year at Syracuse is when you go to the postseason NIT quarterfinal round. This team will get back to the big dance this march but it won't be easy in probably the best conference this season in the Big East Conference. They could easily send 7, 8 or 9 teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
This season victory total I believe will hinge on the continued developement of sophmore guard Johnny Flynn who was co-freshman of the year in the Big East a year ago. He is able to distribute the ball as well as put points on the board when called upon to do so. Leading the way down low will be Arinze Onuaku a 6'9'' junior who should really benefit with the 4 guards loosening things on the perimeter. Arinze did not get alot of shot attempts last year but when he did he made them count by converting 68% of his chances. If Scoop Jardine can find a consistent outside shot this could be one of the best perimeter shooting teams in the country and could get Coach Boeheim into a Sweet 16 berth but look for probably a one and done in NCAA's this season. The 'Cuse is on the way back but maybe one year away from something really special.
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