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Syracuse Basketball: Final Four Team VS NIT Team – Which Starting 5 Was Better?

By Zachary Weisleder

Feb 14, 2016; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) and forward Michael Gbinije (0) celebrate against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) and forward Michael Gbinije (0) celebrate against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Well it’s official, the Syracuse basketball team is playing in the NIT after playing in the Final Four last season. But what team was better?

This year, the selection committee rightfully chose not to send an inconsistent Syracuse basketball team to the big dance.

Last year, when most thought they would not make it, the committee put the Orange through, and you know the rest. This season, the Orange had a worse non-conference record, pathetic record away from the Dome, but more impressive ACC wins than the 2015-16 squad.

Although this years team didn’t make the NCAA Tournament, the question remains whether the 2016-17 team was better than last year’s Final Four team.

The backcourt combination of graduate transfers Andrew White III and John Gillon had more upside offensively, but less experience working Boeheim’s zone than Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney.

Gbinije and Cooney spent most of their college careers mastering the zone, but White and Gillon

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gradually adapted to the intricacies of the zone, helping Syracuse upset Duke, Florida State, and Virginia down the stretch.

Advantage: Andrew White/John Gillon

Syracuse’s starting forwards this season were primarily freshmen Taurean Thompson, returning sophomore Tyler Lydon, and freshman Tyus Battle.

It took a while, but Taurean Thompson was able to find his rhythm late in the season, and a handful of monstrous second half outbursts propelled Syracuse to some unprecedented comebacks.

Tyler Lydon averaged a little over13 points per game and over 8 boards as a starter this season. Last year, he came off the bench almost every game after the first stoppage of play.

Freshman Tyus Battle, who hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to stun Clemson earlier this season, shared many characteristics that NBA rookie and former Syracuse forward Malachi Richardson displayed last year.

Both Battle and Richardson progressively improved down the stretch, and single-handedly led Syracuse to some of their victories.

Last season, Syracuse boasted a bigger front court that rebounded, protected the rim, and more proficiently played the zone. This year, junior forwards Tyler Roberson and Dajuan Coleman saw their minutes cut drastically from last year because of Tyler Lydon and Taurean Thompson having stronger two-way games.

Advantage: Taurean Thompson/Tyler Lydon/Tyus Battle

A magical Final Four run in 2015-16 left Syracuse fans with high expectations for the 2016-2017 season.

This year’s team was looking like one of Boeheim’s deepest in his illustrious career. Eight of Boeheim’s players played a minimum of 16 minutes per game with season, using two more than last year’s team.

Despite looking better on paper, Syracuse’s season was marred by inconsistent play, poor rebounding, and inability to master the zone.

Next: NIT: A Look at the National Invitational Tournament Bracket and Predictions

This team was better than last year’s team. This team did not play better than last year’s team. I think Jim Boeheim would agree.

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