Syracuse Basketball: This is the Jesse Edwards the Orange needs to thrive

Syracuse basketball sophomore center Jesse Edwards recently expressed confidence in his abilities, as well as his comfort in the role that he has on the team.

The 6-foot-11 Edwards, a native of Amsterdam, Netherlands, who suited up for the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., prior to joining the ‘Cuse, has a strong work ethic.

Head coach Jim Boeheim says that Edwards has been putting in a lot of work with assistant coach Allen Griffin on his conditioning and his physicality. That work is paying off.

Senior Bourama Sidibe, the Orange’s starting center who injured his knee in the team’s season-opening victory over Bryant last November, isn’t practicing, Boeheim said in his post-game Zoom call with media members after the ‘Cuse crushed Miami at home on Tuesday evening.

It’s unclear when, or if, Sidibe might return. That means if senior big man Marek Dolezaj, for now the Syracuse basketball starting center, gets into foul trouble, as he did in the first half versus the Hurricanes, Edwards appears to have evolved into the Orange’s primary back-up at this position.

In the ‘Cuse 83-57 over Miami, Edwards provided a huge spark off the bench. He logged about 23 minutes of court time, while tallying seven points, six rebounds, two steals and one block. A solid stat sheet, without question.

Syracuse basketball sophomore center Jesse Edwards shined against Miami.

While Edwards played exceptionally well in the team’s romp over the Hurricanes, he has to perform at this kind of level on a more consistent basis. Frankly, the majority of guys on the Orange roster have to as well.

But what Edwards did on Tuesday night is an immensely encouraging sign. Boeheim said that his sophomore center was “monstrous” and an important “presence out there” in the paint area.

Joe Girard, the sophomore point guard, said in his own virtual call that Edwards was a big reason why the ‘Cuse defeated Miami. “When he’s confident out there and he’s moving around, he can really help us,” Girard added.

Boeheim noted that Edwards is a “young player” with a lot of potential who has to continue getting stronger, but he “has a good feel for the game.”

With options limited for Syracuse basketball at the center spot, and the Orange’s next two opponents both top-20 squads in Virginia Tech and Virginia, Edwards absolutely needs to keep up his solid output.