Syracuse basketball excels when Cole Swider, Joe Girard III play like this

In my humble opinion, as Cole Swider and Joe Girard III go, the Syracuse basketball team goes.

What I mean by that is both Swider, a senior forward who transferred to the ‘Cuse this off-season from Villanova, and junior point guard Girard III have produced some really stellar performances to date in the 2021-22 campaign, and they’ve also thrown up some duds.

In all fairness, though, the same can be said for all of the other Orange players on the 2021-22 roster. But for me, when Swider and Girard are doing their thing at an ultra-high level, this ‘Cuse line-up is really, really dangerous.

When Syracuse basketball used a 10-point advantage in the second half to defeat N.C. State on the road, 89-82, this past Wednesday evening, all five starters notched at least 16 points. But Swider, Girard and junior center Jesse Edwards were big-time difference makers in this victory for the Orange (11-11, 5-6).

Cole Swider and Joe Girard III are the straws that stir the Syracuse basketball program drink.

Swider, whom ‘Cuse head coach Jim Boeheim has implored to be more aggressive in hunting for his own shot, was 8-of-11 from the field and 2-of-2 from deep, for 18 points, when Syracuse basketball destroyed Wake Forest last Saturday on the Hill, 94-72.

Then, versus N.C. State, Swider was 7-of-9 from the field, 4-of-4 from 3-point land and 1-of-1 from the free-throw line. He tallied 19 points, eight rebounds and one block.

In the Orange’s two most recent successes, Girard has really been terrific in facilitating for others, making the right passes to set up his teammates for good looks on offense.

Against the Wolfpack, Girard was 4-of-10 from the field as a whole, 3-of-6 from downtown and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. He had 18 points, four boards, two steals, an exquisite eight assists and just one turnover.

As I mentioned earlier, all of the ‘Cuse starters played quite well, although it was a bummer that the primary bench players didn’t get more going.

For the most part, Syracuse basketball in 2021-22 has been able to count on senior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim, graduate student forward Jimmy Boeheim and Edwards to significantly contribute.

Girard and Swider have had their struggles, here and there, but when they’re on, frankly, the Orange can hang with, and defeat, just about anybody on its schedule.