Syracuse Basketball: Is Jesse Edwards the next big key to success?

This is not an attempt to diminish the impact of other players on this Syracuse basketball team. This is not an attempt to label him the next “insert name here” legendary big man. This is simply discussing the impact junior center Jesse Edwards could have in helping the Orange to post-season success and how a successful big man has helped in the past.

In 2010, the Syracuse Orange basketball team was looking impressive and led by senior big man Arinze Onuaku. I truly believed this was the year Syracuse would win their second national championship. However, AO suffered a season-ending quad injury against Georgetown in the Big East Tournament and unfortunately, those dreams were diminished.

In 2012, the late Fab Melo was a key part of the team’s success that season. Again this team showed it had championship potential only to fall short. Syracuse ended up losing to Ohio State in the tournament’s Elite Eight and it’s my belief that if Fab Melo had been eligible to play, the Orange could have had an answer for Jared Sullinger and won the whole thing.

In 2015, Syracuse had senior Rakeem Christmas and unfortunately, due to self-imposed sanctions, they did not participate in post-season tournaments despite Rak winning many post-season accolades. The big man improved so much that he won the ACC’s most-improved honor, and I believe could have led the team to some success if given the chance.

Syracuse basketball center Jesse Edwards is playing well so far this season.

So far in the 2021-22 campaign, Edwards has started to see success on the court as well. He did have some struggles in the Orange’s 14-point loss to No. 6 Villanova in New York City on Tuesday night, but that shouldn’t take away from what he’s done to date in the current season.

When graduate student center Bourama Sidibe announced his return, I was hopeful his experience would help this team a lot. However before the season started, it was announced Sidibe would sit at least a month due to injury so Edwards and/or sophomore Frank Anselem would have to step up…and step up they did.

Jesse has taken this opportunity to shine and prove he belongs on the court even when Sidibe is healthy enough to return. According to Cuse.com, through the first 8 games, Jesse had 21 blocks and his scoring has also improved with multiple double-digit scoring games.

I can’t help but watch him on the court and root for him. He looks determined and not lost out there. Yes, he’s seen some foul trouble unfortunately but if he can stay healthy and manage those fouls, I could definitely see him being another big man helping the Orange to a successful season.

If Edwards can keep this up, Sidibe can get healthy and Anselem can provide some support, Syracuse basketball stands to see success in large part due to the success of the presence of these big men. Fingers crossed we will hopefully talk about for years to come the Orange finally winning the big game in 2022.