Syracuse Basketball: Buddy Boeheim ‘becoming a more complete player’

Syracuse basketball senior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim is evolving into a more well-rounded player, according to a noted college basketball insider, and that could prove a scary proposition for opposing teams as the 2021-22 campaign inches closer.

The 6-foot-6 Boeheim was a total stud during his junior year, particularly toward the end of last season and into March, when he caught fire in the Orange’s first two games of the Big Dance, which were both upset victories.

Boeheim, one of the top 3-point shooters in the Atlantic Coast Conference in each of the past two stanzas, averaged nearly 18 points a game as a junior and more than 15 points a contest as a sophomore.

As we discussed in a recent column, Boeheim is expected to lead the ‘Cuse in scoring during the 2021-22 term, although with many other offensive weapons alongside him, his scoring average could drop a tad, while his shooting percentages climb up.

Syracuse basketball guard Buddy Boeheim is an All-American candidate as a senior.

A flood of pre-season accolades has arrived for Boeheim of late, as multiple national pundits are projecting him to be an All-American player in 2021-22.

"CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, who recently visited the Hill to watch the Orange practice, sent out this encouraging tweet. “Buddy Boeheim has noticeably tightened his handle. Looks far more comfortable creating off the dribble and initiating things. Becoming a more complete player.”"

As a junior, I thought that Boeheim displayed an offensive package that proved way more than him just being a shooter from long range. He’s attacking the rim more aggressively and effectively, and his mid-range jumper is solid.

However, Rothstein’s comments certainly speak to Boeheim adding even more to his offensive arsenal, and opposing squads will have a massive challenge in trying to contain him.

For me, when it comes to Boeheim’s senior stint, it’s all about his defense at the top of the 2-3 zone, as well as his leadership. I don’t think the leadership department will be an issue whatsoever, and I’m cautiously optimistic that both Boeheim and junior point guard Joe Girard III will be better in the zone defense.

That would be a big-time boost to the team’s aspirations in 2021-22, because the ‘Cuse shouldn’t have an issue scoring points. The challenges, according to some analysts and journalists, are that the Orange isn’t as athletic in years past, and the zone could get exposed by athletic, physical foes.

I think it would be unrealistic to assume the Syracuse basketball defense this coming season could rival, say, 2012-13, when the ‘Cuse zone was stifling and helped propel that squad to the Final Four.

But if the 2021-22 version of Syracuse basketball could tighten things up a bit on defense, that would go a long way toward the Orange having a successful stanza. And Boeheim should be the one leading this team’s charge.