Syracuse Basketball: Projected MVP, other awards for 2020-21 term

Syracuse basketball begins its season in fewer than three weeks, and we opine on possible award winners.

Syracuse basketball is preparing to host Bryant on Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, in the Orange’s presumed 2020-21 term opener.

Expectations for the ‘Cuse are relatively mild in the upcoming campaign. Many national pundits view the Orange as a middle-of-the-pack squad in the Atlantic Coast Conference, as well as a bubble team for the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

I’m a bit more optimistic, prognosticating that Syracuse basketball will amount to a fringe top-25 squad, a top-six ACC crew and definitely a March Madness participant.

For those objectives to occur, the ‘Cuse roster – fairly young a season ago, but now a year older and more experienced – has to gel as a collective unit. And individual players have to put forth stellar performances.

To that end, we’ve compiled our thoughts on various superlatives for Syracuse basketball in 2020-21. As always, please let us know where we goofed up, and if we got anything right!

MVP
This is a tough one. I’m torn between junior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim and junior small forward Alan Griffin, a transfer from Illinois. I’ll go with Boeheim. He averaged more than 15 points in 2019-20, and Boeheim is primed for a special junior campaign. His defense and rebounding both have to vastly improve, though.

Most Important
Senior power forward Marek Dolezaj, who is just an all-around glue guy and consummate teammate. He does a little of everything, and Dolezaj has to take on an even bigger role in 2020-21, on both ends of the floor.

Most Surprising
I’ll go with freshman Kadary Richmond, a top-100 prospect in high school who can suit up at point guard, shooting guard and small forward. Richmond likely will receive some run, spelling the starting guards or small forwards.

Top Newcomer
My vote is for Griffin. He’s not a freshman, but he is new to the team. I believe that Griffin will get the starting nod at small forward, and Griffin is an extremely efficient scorer and rebounder. He also connects at a solid clip from beyond the arc.

Most Improved
Senior center Bourama Sidibe showed flashes of really strong potential toward the end of 2019-20, and he’s got to continue that kind of play this season for the Orange to earn an invite to the Big Dance.

Top Leader
Sophomore point guard Joe Girard III, with Griffin coming in second here. Girard has to man the Syracuse basketball ship.

Starting Line-Up
Girard, point guard
Boeheim, shooting guard
Griffin, small forward
Dolezaj, power forward
Sidibe, center

Sixth Man
Quincy Guerrier, sophomore forward

‘Cuse Leaders In …

Scoring
Boeheim

Rebounding
Sidibe

Assists
Girard

Steals
Girard

Blocks
Sidibe

Field-Goal Percentage
Jesse Edwards, sophomore center

Free-Throw Percentage
Girard (duh)

3-Point FG Percentage
Griffin