Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim said a couple of days ago that two or three of the Orange’s 2022 commits could start as freshmen, and I think those comments make for a really interesting discussion topic.
In that recent Q&A on CuseSportsTalk.com, Boeheim added that he believes all five of the team’s 2022 signees will play, and I’m glad to see this, as I believe this class is promising and talented, regardless of what recent recruiting rankings say.
Additionally, comments made by the ‘Cuse head coach would seem to indicate that he thinks, beyond the 2022 five-member recruiting cycle, other returnees for the 2022-23 stanza could include freshman forward Benny Williams, junior center Jesse Edwards, sophomore center Frank Anselem, junior guard Symir Torrence and junior point guard Joe Girard III.
"Boeheim noted, “that’s 10 guys right there off the top of my head without doing anything else. So we’ll see how it all works out. They’re all going to be a big part of next year.”"
Several Syracuse basketball 2022 commits could start as newbies.
It’s tough to project at this juncture what the 2022-23 roster will look like, because the transfer portal has resulted in a free-agency explosion in college basketball.
But let’s “assume” for a second that senior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim, graduate student forward Jimmy Boeheim and senior forward Cole Swider don’t come back (graduate student center Bourama Sidibe, I believe, will have used up his collegiate eligibility). We’ll also have to wait and see regarding redshirt sophomore big man John Bol Ajak.
If we’re likely looking at a line-up whose foundation is Williams, Edwards, Anselem, Torrence and Girard, plus the five 2022 commits, I find it fascinating to debate which incoming freshmen might start.
By the way, those 2022 signees are four-star point guard Quadir Copeland, four-star shooting guard Justin Taylor, four-star small forward Chris Bunch, three-star power forward Maliq Brown and three-star power forward/center Peter Carey.
If Edwards is back, unless something weird happens, Carey isn’t going to start, in my humble opinion, unless ‘Cuse coaches elect to utilize Carey more at the power forward spot. I also find it hard to imagine the veteran Girard, if he returns, not starting at point guard, even if many Orange fans would like to see him play fewer minutes. Assuming he does start, that means Copeland would likely come off the bench as a freshman.
That brings us to Taylor, Brown and Bunch. I think that Taylor slides right into the void left by Buddy Boeheim and starts at shooting guard as a freshman.
Assuming Williams does come back for his sophomore year, I can’t imagine him not getting the starting nod, especially if his two main “competitors” at forward are freshmen Brown and Bunch.
Bunch, at present, is the highest-rated recruit for the ‘Cuse in its 2022 class, so maybe he starts at the other forward position. Then again, Brown is a physical big man who plays defense and rebounds at a high level. That’s intriguing, if you ask me.
Either way, I’m not sure where Jim Boeheim would have a third 2022 commit in the starting rotation next season, unless I’ve done my math incorrectly here.
As such, I’m forecasting a starting line-up of Girard, Taylor, Williams, Brown or Bunch, and Edwards. That leaves five key reserves consisting of Torrence, Copeland, Anselem, Brown or Bunch, and Carey. It’s maybe a bit unproven, but I’m digging this possible 10-player rotation!