Why Syracuse Basketball Can Make a Deep Tourney Run

By David Stone | Nov 13, 2015

It’s probably not a bold prediction to say that the Syracuse basketball team will make the NCAA tournament. Most news outlets have them as a bubble team currently, so it’s certainly not too hard to see them in the field of 65. What might be tougher for some people to swallow is when I say that I think this team can make a deep run in the tournament.

“But Dave, that’s crazy!” is what you might be thinking in your head. Well let me tell you, it’s not crazy, and here’s why.

First off, we’re unranked. I know, I know, how is that a good thing? If you’d just settle down and stop interrupting, I’ll tell you! Four of the last five times Syracuse was unranked in the preseason, they went on to make the tournament. In 2003, the team also had a talented group of freshman coming in, but after losing their top scorer and All-Big East forward Preston Shumpert along with having their next two scorers transfer, there were a lot of question marks.

In stepped Carmelo Anthony, Gerry McNamara, and Hakim Warrick to lead the way and bring home an NCAA championship, the only one in the history of Syracuse basketball. There are some definite similarities to that team. They’ve got multiple outside shooting threats, a big unproven center, and loads of athleticism.

More from Syracuse Basketball

Ok, so they don’t have a Carmelo Anthony type player… at least we don’t think so. Then again, Malachi Richardson has certainly been impressive so far. I doubt he’ll average 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, but the college game has also changed a lot. Thanks to the constant turnover from one-and-dones, teams are no longer able to rely on four year guys that really understand the game.

Instead, it’s usually a bunch of freshman learning on the fly, which results in much lower scoring averages. So even if Richardson only averages 12-15 points a game, that will be huge for SU.

Aside from Richardson, Syracuse boats two other freshman learning on the fly. We also have a veteran backcourt, an athletic rebounding monster in Tyler Roberson, and a stretch four with limitless energy in Tyler Lydon. Couple that with the new and improved Kaleb Joseph, and you’ve got a very dynamic group with tons of potential, eerily similar to the 2002-03 team.

The biggest reason I think we can make a big run in the tourney this year is because of the multiple scoring options the team has. Aside from just Gbinije and Cooney being able to get points, it looks as if there are at least six to seven guys who can all contribute. Joseph, Richardson, Howard, Lydon, and Coleman all look capable of putting the ball in the hoop with consistency.

Feb 14, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Quinn Cook (2) dribbles the ball up the court past Syracuse Orange guard Michael Gbinije (0) during the second half at the Carrier Dome. Duke defeated Syracuse 80-72. Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The team also boasts three point shooting the likes of which Syracuse has never had before. Quick, name me one past Syracuse team that had six guys that could all drain threes. Did you think of one? I sure couldn’t. It just doesn’t happen often, for any team.

If these guys can all make some shots and spread the ball, they will be incredibly hard to stop. It remains to be seen whether or not they can continue to have success against the much bigger, faster, and stronger players in the regular season. I think they will all have their opportunities to prove themselves this year.

The last reason I think this team can go far is because of how unselfish they seem to be. There is no one player on the team that needs the ball in his hands every possession. Last year, it was shocking if SU made a trip on offense without getting the ball down to Rak in the low post. I mean, it made sense. Christmas was an absolute beast last season and deserved every touch he got.

Next: Four Games to Circle on the Schedule

However, with how good he was, and how terrible the rest of the team was at shooting other than Gbinije, it meant that teams just collapsed into the paint and double or triple teamed him every time he touched the ball.

This year, teams won’t be able to crowd the lane like that. If they do, we will torch them from outside. If they try and run out on the shooters, it’s just going to leave lanes for driving into the middle. Then if the defense collapses, it will leave shooters open on the wings. See the conundrum for opposing teams?

Basically, it all comes down to health and shooting. If the Syracuse basketball team can shoot the ball moderately well, and if Coleman and company can keep from getting injured, the sky is the limit for this team. The potential is certainly there, and I for one can’t wait to watch them rise from out of nowhere and prove everyone wrong.

Home/Syracuse Basketball