Syracuse Basketball: Senior Review-Andrew White

Syracuse Basketball didn’t have Andrew White the last three years. He’s been a journeyman in the NCAA basketball world. Having played for Kansas for two years and then at Nebraska, before stopping in Syracuse, White hasn’t been able to leave much of legacy. So did he leave one here? Inside the Loud House examines his brief, but notable career at Syracuse.

Andrew White was exactly what Syracuse Basketball was looking for last offseason. After losing Malachi Richardson, Michael Gbinije, and Trevor Cooney; the Orange were in desperate need of

guard/small forward. One with length to play in the zone was even more desired. When Syracuse Basketball saw Andrew White declare he was going to transfer wheresoever, they jumped at the chance to land him.

It was a good thing they did. Known for being a high-caliber shooter from three and mid-range, it looked like the perfect way to replace Richardson. At 6’7, White had the ideal height and wingspan to play the 2-3 zone. When he committed to the Orange we dared to dream big.

Now, Syracuse hasn’t lived up to all those lofty expectations, but White has. So without further ado, let’s look at the legacy the journey has made while in an Orange uniform:

Senior Year (This Season):

The Stats: White has averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds,1 assist, and 2 steals in 37 minutes per game in games. Interesting thing to note is that the change of scenery also led to all of these statistics being career highs for White. The lone exception: rebounds, where last year he averaged one more per game with 6. He has played in all 30 games this year so far for the Orange. Additionally he has scored in double figures in of those games. That’s pretty incredible.

Impact: The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle says that White is the first player to go five straight games with 20 plus points in Orange since Demetris Nichols did so in the 2006-2007 season. The Chronicle also notes he is on par to pass Gerry McNamara’s record set in 2003-2004 for threes in a year. The record is 107, and White according to ESPN.com stats has him at 93. That’s only 14 more which is definitely within reach if we make the NCAA tournament or the NIT.

Outside of impressive statistics, he has not been a ball hog or a big ego on the court. Coming into Syracuse as a transfer this year, he was portrayed as a negative locker room influence at past schools. He came in though, accepted his role, and has excelled.

As for his best game, its hard to narrow it down to one. If I had to choose I would say the game that turned things all around for Syracuse: the win over Florida State. In that game against the 6th-ranked team in the country (at the time), he had 24 points, was 8-16 from the field, nabbed 9 rebounds, and had 4 huge steals. That performance helped seal the 10-point victory, 82-72.

If that isn’t an impact, I don’t know what it is! He surely has created a legacy here in ‘Cuse, regardless where he stopped before us.

Next: Dwight Freeney Isn’t Hanging Up His Cleats Just Yet (report)

Syracuse NCAA Run: TBD. Luckily, an at-large bid seems likely so who knows what kind of impact White can make.