Syracuse Basketball: Looking ahead to next season
Syracuse basketball will be looking ahead to next season and who will contribute in an off-season where they lost some players to transfers and the NBA.
The Syracuse basketball season ended early this past season after the ACC Tournament got canceled due to the novel coronavirus spreading around the world. Syracuse put together their best effort of the season in the last game, when they dominated the North Carolina Tar Heels from start to finish.
Syracuse had a roller-coaster type of season with all of the close games and losing a combined six games by a total of 18 points. This team was very young, with no seniors on the roster and starting a freshman at the point guard position, which was going to take some time.
After the recent events with the conference tournaments and March Madness being canceled, there has been many players entering the transfer portal, and some players are declaring for the NBA Draft. Syracuse will have a slightly different roster next season, but their core players will be returning.
Departures:
Howard Washington Jr. – Washington is one of three Syracuse guards to transfer this off-season. Washington has been through a lot while at Syracuse and always held his head high no matter the situation. Washington never really got the chance to prove himself, with the injury he sustained during his freshman season. During his rehab from his torn ACL, Washington suffered a stroke while walking on campus and ended up missing all of his sophomore season as well. Washington played sparingly this season as the backup point guard, as he was used when the team needed a veteran presence and someone to slow things down on both ends of the floor. Washington will be looking for an opportunity to have significant playing time somewhere else. Washington was a major factor off the court for Syracuse as well, which will be sorely missed, but we wish him nothing but the best on his journey.
Jalen Carey – Carey came to Syracuse with high expectations and some comparisons to Johnny Flynn, which is high praise. Carey could play either guard position and was an attack-first guard who has length and athleticism. During his freshman season, Carey was behind senior point guard Frank Howard and junior shooting guard Tyus Battle, along with Buddy Boeheim. Carey didn’t play much during his freshman season but coming into this season with Howard graduating, Carey was expected to win the starting point guard position and be a major piece for Syracuse. Carey injured his thumb early in the season and ended up losing his starting job after the second game of the season, due to having surgery on his thumb. Carey is the second guard to transfer this off-season from Syracuse, as he will look for a starting opportunity, and we will also wish him the best of luck on his journey.
Brycen Goodine – The most surprising guard to transfer this off-season would have to be Goodine, who just finished his freshman season at Syracuse, which was filled with some highs and some lows. The coaching staff was very high on Goodine on both sides of the floor, especially playing the top of the zone with his length and athleticism. Not sure the reasoning behind him transferring so early, because he was going to get extended playing time next season off the bench and would have been a major piece. Goodine was an underrated prospect coming into Syracuse and showed flashes of what he could have been. Goodine found a new home quickly in the transfer portal when he landed at Providence within the first couple of days.
Elijah Hughes – The major factor during this off-season was the decision of Hughes. He was the leading scorer and made the first team All-ACC, which is a remarkable accomplishment. Hughes had one of the most remarkable seasons in Syracuse history in every aspect of the game. Hughes made significant improvement in every aspect this past season, especially on the defensive side of the ball, rebounding, and getting other teammates involved. Hughes has entered the NBA Draft, and the decision to pursue his dream is the right decision, because there isn’t much more that Hughes could prove in college that he didn’t already prove this past season. We will see what happens, but expect Hughes to be drafted in the late first round or early second round. Wishing him nothing but the best in his future.
Additions:
Woody Newton – Newton could be a key piece during his freshman season with the loss of Hughes and not having many wings on the roster. Newton has the length to play in the zone and also is very effective on the offensive end as well, which could be very useful next season for Syracuse. Newton is an exceptional three-point shooter as well as getting to the rim, which could be a nice addition for the offense next season. Scouts have been raving about Newton’s potential, with some even saying that he has huge upside and his body should tone out when he gets to Syracuse, where he can work with the coaching staff and get into the gym as soon as possible.
Kadary Richmond – Richmond could be a very important piece with three of the guards transferring out. Richmond played at Brewster Academy, where Boeheim played his last season in high school. With the only two guards on the roster being Joe Girard III and Boeheim, Richmond will be the backup guard next season and could be a valuable piece in many different scenarios. Richmond is a 6-foot-7 guard who can play downhill and is very good at getting his teammates involved. Richmond has a very good jumper and can be an elite scorer off the dribble. With his length he has the potential to be a very good defender and is a very good rebounder for his position. I would expect Richmond to be considered a “diamond in the rough” because of his potential at the guard position.
Alan Griffin – Griffin is a transfer from the University of Illinois and will have 2 years of eligibility at Syracuse. If Griffin is granted immediate eligibility then he will provide a much-needed spark with the departure of Hughes, who meant so much to this team last season. When Griffin was at Illinois, he averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the field. Griffin is an offensive weapon who is a great three-point shooter and will provide much-needed shooting and scoring for the Orange. With his size he can play either guard position or either forward position due to the 2-3 zone. I would expect Griffin to compete for a starting spot if he is granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.
The Syracuse basketball team will have most of their key players from this season back for next season, with the one exception being Hughes. They will have four returning starters in Girard, Boeheim, Marek Dolezaj, and Bourama Sidibe.
The only bench player who played significant minutes is Quincy Guerrier. Also returning is Jesse Edwards, who played sparingly, and John Bol Ajak, who was a redshirt last season.
I would expect Boeheim and Girard to take a huge step this off-season with their games to become the threats for this team, as well as a more aggressive Dolezaj, who will be a senior and will have to be the leader on and off the court.
If Syracuse can get the production out of Sidibe that they got the last month of the season, then they will be in very good shape in the front court. Guerrier should slide into the starting lineup along the back line with Dolezaj and Sidibe, which will help Syracuse on the defensive side of the ball and rebounding on defense.
Guerrier will grow offensively this off-season and be a more dominant player heading into next season. Syracuse should be more well rounded next season and will be a top-six team in the ACC when it’s all said and done, with them learning from their close losses this past season and getting more contributions from everyone on the team.