Syracuse Basketball: Projecting Boeheim’s Army player stats

With Boeheim’s Army preparing for the 2020 version of The Basketball Tournament, we project the former Syracuse basketball players stats.

Syracuse basketball in July? Sign me up.

Boeheim’s Army, the Orange’s long-lasting alumni team in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) will be competing in the $1 million dollars, winner-take-all, 24 team tournament which starts July 4.

This year’s Syracuse squad features the likes of their 2016 Final Four team heroes Malachi Richardson and Tyler Lydon. Like past years, it also covers an array of players from multiple decades, ranging as far back as Eric Devendorf and Demetris Nichols, and as recent as John Gillon, Andrew White III, and Lydon.

However, with all of this talent, it brings up questions of who will be counted on to score, rebound, and assist.

Eric Devendorf

Projected Stats: 11 PPG, 3 APG

Devendorf has been a Boeheim’s Army staple, virtually crowned as the team’s leader and captain. One of the older players on the roster and in TBT, Devendorf still has that edge against opponents, as well as his ability to put the ball in the basket. With so much scoring on this team, it’s hard to see Eric averaging above 15 points a game. However, he has the potential to let loose at any given time. As an off guard, his passing abilities often go unheralded, so pay attention to see how he gets his teammates involved.

John Gillon

Projected Stats: 8 PPG, 3 APG, 2 SPG

Gillon has come off the bench for most of his Boeheim’s Army career, after enjoying a very nice season for Syracuse basketball, delivering one of the most iconic shots in Orange history against Duke. For TBT, I look at Gillon as a guy who like Devendorf, can go off for 15-20 points on any given night. But, with so much scoring on this team, his role will likely be to facilitate and play tight defense.

Donte Greene

Projected Stats: 5 PPG, 5 RPG

I’m really not too sure what to expect with Donte Green. Boeheim’s Army hasn’t been known to use their big men too often, with the exception of Hakim Warrick, who hasn’t been added to this year’s roster. However, with Tyler Lydon most likely as the primary big, Greene’s role will be a guess until tip-off. The safe bet is that he’ll be used as a stretch-four on offense, who will need to grab rebounds in crunch time.

Tyler Lydon

Projected Stats: 14 PPG, 5 RPG

Lydon is my choice for leading scorer for Boeheim’s Army in 2020. He hasn’t played in The Basketball Tournament yet, but with Syracuse basketball, Lydon was an unstoppable force. His range should surely buy him a few threes per game, and his inside game should provide a few more buckets and trips to the free-throw line. I could be way off on this role projection, which is why I went with a modest 14 points a game, but it could very well be in the 17-18 range.

Chris McCullough

Projected Stats: 4 PPG, 8 PPG, 2 BPG

I really have no idea what to expect with McCullough. Most signs would point to Lydon, Nichols, and Greene as the primary fours and fives, but McCullough is really the only true center on this team. That alone will buy him playing time. However, I don’t exactly see him as a key scorer, but instead a defensive stopper. McCullough will need to play tough defense and grab boards to start what should be a very quick transition pace for this team.

Demetris Nichols

Projected Stats: 7 PPG, 4 RPG

Nichols is the oldest player on Boeheim’s Army, playing for Syracuse basketball from 2003-04 to 2006-07. However, with that age comes experience and a three-point shooting stroke that never ages. Nichols won’t be the second or third option at any time on the court, but he will be counted on to extend defenses to the perimeter, where he excels.

Malachi Richardson

Projected Stats: 10 PPG, 4 RPG, 2 APG

Richardson was the hero of the Orange’s 2016 NCAA Tournament run, providing an unforgettable scoring outburst against Virginia in the Elite Eight. He’s the most athletic player on this Boeheim’s Army squad, with the talent to score, rebound, and create shots for other players. He’ll most likely earn a lot of minutes based on this, and will be a go-to guy in crunch time.

Brandon Triche

Projected Stats: 9 PPG, 4 APG

Triche holds an interesting role in Boeheim’s Army. He’s not necessarily a key scorer, but he can and will put some amazing shots in the basket. He will most likely be the primary facilitator on a team with so many guards. Triche just has the mojo of the point guard on this team and can get them going on cue.

Andrew White III

Projected Stats: 11 PPG, 3 APG

If there’s one guy on Boeheim’s Army who can explode for 30+ points, it is Andrew White III. He can stroke it from deep like no one else and has the type of game that is so tough to defend. He’s a bit of a streaky shooter, but expect White to put the ball in the basket more often than not.

TBT is right around the corner, and Boeheim’s Army is ready to rock n’ roll!