Syracuse Basketball: Where is Howard Washington? (mailbag)

John Foley: How long does it take for Jim Boeheim to make a starting lineup change?

Paul ‘Boy Green’ Esden:

"Jim Boeheim is a stubborn old bastard and he is very often stuck in his ways. Much of that makes sense, he’s a Hall of Fame coach who has been doing this for 44 years, so he’s earned some respect over the years. The weird thing to me is why didn’t he adapt in the Virginia game? He actually changed his starting lineup in game one. Previously throughout the offseason, he had a lineup that featured Carey, Boeheim, Hughes, Quincy Guerrier, and Bourama Sidibe. Then in the regular-season opener, he inexplicably went with Marek Dolezaj. Okay, you can make an argument why that change makes sense vs a tough Virginia team, but when Dolezaj was in the midst of the worst game of his Orange career, Jim Boeheim didn’t adapt. Marek played all 40 minutes and cost Syracuse big-time. Guerrier may get some run back in the starting lineup as soon as Colgate in game two. Also, a part of this question that didn’t make it to air was regarding the point guard situation. I think Jalen is going to get a few games to figure it out, if by game three there are still issues, Boeheim will make a change."

Neil Adler:

"Well, head coach Jim Boeheim actually already made one, as he inserted junior forward Marek Dolezaj into the line-up versus Virginia in the regular-season opener, after having freshman forward Quincy Guerrier as a starter during the exhibition portion of the schedule. Whether it’s at the forward slot, point guard, or somewhere else, I would assume that Boeheim will wait at least a few more games to see how things transpire before making additional starting line-up switches. Boeheim has a really deep roster in 2019-20, and I’m fascinated to see how his rotations play out as this term progresses."