Syracuse Basketball: Junior center adds strength, should start, is a key cog

Syracuse basketball should have a lot of offensive firepower in 2021-22, including a bevy of sharp-shooters from beyond the arc. But a pivotal facet to the Orange’s success in the upcoming campaign absolutely will be junior center Jesse Edwards.

As we noted in a recent column, senior forward Cole Swider, a transfer from Villanova, has already gone on record in prognosticating that the 6-foot-11 Edwards “is poised to have a breakout year.”

I wholeheartedly agree with Swider’s assessment. A stanza ago, when Edwards had the opportunity to play ample minutes, he showed in flashes that he can anchor the middle of the team’s 2-3 zone.

He has a soft touch for a big man, and I believe that Edwards will prove a valuable contributor to the ‘Cuse on both ends of the floor in 2021-22.

Syracuse basketball junior center Jesse Edwards needs to be more aggressive.

Because the Orange has consistently had some struggles at the center spot, particularly on offense, in recent terms, the promise that Edwards brings to this position is encouraging.

However, as he goes up against rugged, physical big men in the non-conference slate, as well as Atlantic Coast Conference competition, Edwards has to become more assertive.

I get that, this coming season, the Orange will rely in large part on perimeter shooting on offense. That doesn’t mean Edwards can’t play a large role on this end of the court. If he can grab some offensive rebounds and convert those into easy buckets, that’s huge.

On defense, rebounding is often not a strong suit for the ‘Cuse, based in part on the type of defense that it employs. But Edwards has to up the ante when it comes to the glass. He’s athletic, he’s long and he should be able to hold his own on the boards.

"To that end, CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein said in a recent tweet that “Edwards has gained 15 pounds since the conclusion of last season’s NCAA Tournament, per Jim Boeheim. Feels all but cemented as the Orange’s starting center. Palpable Buzz.”"

I’m really happy to see this. Edwards adding strength is critical to his future performances versus some of the premier big men in the sport.

I also agree with Rothstein that Edwards will likely end up in the starting rotation. Two of the Orange’s other centers are a redshirt sophomore and a sophomore who haven’t played a lot so far in Central New York.

The team’s fourth center, graduate student Bourama Sidibe, was unfortunately injured for much of 2020-21. So all eyes should probably reside on Edwards to be the main guy at center.

I am confident that Edwards is up to the challenge, and I think that he’s going to surprise a lot of Syracuse basketball fans – in a good way – during his junior season.