Syracuse basketball players are all improving, Jim Boeheim says

Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim had some positive words for numerous guys within his line-up.

Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim doesn’t shy away from calling things like he sees things as it pertains to his roster, whether he’s singing his players praise or saying that they need to perform better.

As the Orange prepares for its 2020-21 season opener on Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, when the ‘Cuse hosts Bryant, Boeheim appears to feel good about his squad, which earlier this week got projected to finish at No. 6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, per the league’s pre-season media poll.

First and foremost, Boeheim says that his roster, which includes 13 scholarship players, is seeing improvements from everyone as practices continue on, and that’s encouraging.

In a recent Zoom call with members of the media, Boeheim said freshman guard Kadary Richmond, a top-100 prospect coming out of high school, has shown that he is “more than capable” of helping the ‘Cuse in 2020-21.

Alan Griffin, a junior small forward who transferred to the Hill from Illinois, is fitting in quite well, Boeheim said. Sophomore forward Quincy Guerrier, who had surgery over the summer stemming from a groin injury, is relatively healthy, the head coach said.

Senior center Bourama Sidibe and senior power forward Marek Dolezaj have greatly improved and both are much stronger, Boeheim said. As far as the starting backcourt, sophomore point guard Joe Girard III and junior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim, they are much more physical, stronger and well-prepared entering this campaign, Jim Boeheim said.

Check out what Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim is saying about his players.

Richmond is getting rave reviews from his head coach, as well as national pundits. Boeheim says that Richmond is likely to suit up at point guard or shooting guard, rather than small forward.

“Kadary is going to play,” Boeheim said, noting that he is good at taking care of the ball, penetrating, finishing around the rim, and on defense. Richmond doesn’t make a lot of mistakes like freshmen often do, and he’s a better shooter than most people think, Boeheim said.

Griffin is a “proven player” with a tremendous motor, Boeheim said, who is highly skilled and puts up really good numbers in terms of scoring and rebounding. “He’s in every play,” Boeheim said of Griffin.

Dolezaj is shooting better these days, Boeheim said, adding that the power forward is “sneaky” because he plays stronger than some people assume.

Redshirt sophomore forward Robert Braswell, whom I really hope gets some run in 2020-21, is playing well, Boeheim said, noting that the rotation could potentially amount to eight or nine guys.

Besides Richmond, the rest of the Syracuse basketball 2020 class is talented and probably a bit under-rated. There’s center Frank Anselem, power forward Woody Newton and small forward Chaz Owens.

While he is seeing improvements from everyone on the roster, Boeheim said that it’s too early to tell what the freshmen may be able to do for the team in 2020-21. Boeheim and the other coaches may have a better idea about the freshmen once ACC competition commences, he said.