Here’s What The 2017-18 Syracuse Basketball Squad Will Look Like

With sophomore Tyler Lydon declaring for the NBA Draft, the SU hoops outfit for 2017-18 is taking firmer shape. We prognosticate on how the starting line-up will appear.

Now that sophomore sensation Tyler Lydon has revealed that he is leaving the Syracuse basketball squad for the NBA (hopefully), we can commence with an examination of SU’s roster for the upcoming season.

Gone are graduate transfers John Gillon and Andrew White III, as well as seniors Dajuan Coleman and Tyler Roberson. Add Lydon to that mix, and the ‘Cuse has five scholarship players returning, assuming no one transfers.

They are freshmen Tyus Battle, Matthew Moyer and Taurean Thompson, sophomores Paschal Chukwu and Frank Howard, and 2017 recruits Oshae Brissett, Bourama Sidibe and Brissett’s high-school teammate, Howard Washington.

That’s eight guys. Head coach Jim Boeheim and his staff, therefore, have three scholarships remaining that they can dole out, to prospects in the 2017 class, as well as grad transfers.

I’ve read an abundance of speculation on social media that Howard may transfer. I have no idea if

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these so-called rumors have any truth to them. Howard clearly had a disappointing 2016-17 campaign, however, he did show some signs of promise. It really irritates me to see some Syracuse faithful trash him. There’s no reason for it.

At a press conference earlier this week, Boeheim says that he anticipates Howard will have a strong junior term, much like Scoop Jardine did, when he broke out after his first two years in Central New York.

Assuming Howard stays, I project that he starts at point guard. Battle, whom many expect to achieve All-ACC honors during his sophomore stint, will serve as the starting wing. That’s a pretty enticing duo at the top of the 2-3 zone.

Moyer and Thompson, I believe, will start at the forward spots. The offensive prowess of Battle and Thompson is off the charts. If both of them, but particularly Thompson, can improve on defense, that will prove a huge asset.

As we all know, Moyer’s freshman stanza resulted in him redshirting due to injury. This dude bleeds Orange, and I think he will provide solid contributions in 2017-18.

Also injured this past season is Chukwu. He is likely to start at center. It’s no secret that his offensive game needs work, but a 7-2 body anchoring the back of the zone is not too shabby.

We are losing a gargantuan amount of scoring, as it pertains to White, Lydon and Gillon. However, I am confident that the defense will fare better. Boeheim said on many occasions that in 2016-17, especially in its latter part, SU started four new faces, and a sophomore. That certainly factored in as to why the 2-3 zone mightily struggled.

Next year’s projected starting line-up, on the other hand, features five returning players, albeit some of them saw limited, or no, action throughout the course of the previous campaign.

Let’s turn to the incoming freshman. Brissett is a forward, Sidibe is a power forward/center and Washington is a point/combo guard.

Given that just a pair of starters is back, and the three other returning guys got little or no run, it wouldn’t surprise me if the three 2017 class-members secure some minutes.

I also expect that Boeheim & Co. will add to the cupboard. Although JB often uses a short rotation, having only eight scholarship players is risky. Boeheim said in his presser this last Monday that the ‘Cuse continues to recruit.

There are several 2017 prospects still on the table. The grad-transfer market is an option. Remember, it brought us Gillon and White, and that panned out okay.

Coming off a disappointing NIT appearance in 2016-17, I would imagine that expectations for the 2017-18 term will prove low, or at least lower. That’s fine by me. There’s less pressure.

Syracuse went to the NIT in 2002, then won the national title in 2003. I’m not saying this same scenario will occur. But for all the SU faithful who fear that extremely dark days are upon us, I would ask that you exercise a tad of caution.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Player Grades for the 2016-2017 Season

Boeheim is now the main man for a while. And he said this past Monday that he’s never felt more excited about a season than he does about the upcoming year.

I take that kind of optimism from JB to heart. And I sincerely hope that he’s right.