Syracuse basketball wrapped up its 2021-22 campaign with a valiant effort not too long ago against mighty Duke in the quarterfinal round of the 2022 ACC Tournament.
The Orange finished this stanza at a disappointing 16-17 overall, which marked the first time that a ‘Cuse squad has finished below .500 in the 46 years that Jim Boeheim has served as the Syracuse basketball head coach.
Now, understandably, many of my fellow Orange fans are angry, frustrated and sad about what transpired on the court for the ‘Cuse in 2021-22. Personally, I loved seeing Boeheim coach his sons, Buddy and Jimmy, although of course I wanted Syracuse basketball to pile up more triumphs and experience fewer defeats.
For me, the three main themes for the ‘Cuse this term boiled down to a really good offensive team that was streaky at times shooting the ball, a tremendously poor defensive squad, and an Orange unit that failed to close out a lot of close encounters. It is what it is.
Let’s dole out some superlatives for Syracuse basketball players in 2021-22.
Most Important Player
To me, this isn’t even close. Junior center Jesse Edwards was having a break-out season before he got injured. He scored and rebounded (for the most part) well, and his presence on both ends of the floor was undeniably felt. When his 2021-22 term, unfortunately, ended in February, that spelled doom for the Orange’s potential Big Dance chances. Even Jim Boeheim said as much in a recent interview on ESPN’s First Take.
MVP, Offense
This isn’t close, either. Senior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim led the ‘Cuse in scoring, at more than 19 points per contest, and he also paced the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring during the 2021-22 regular campaign. He also tallied more than three rebounds and three assists a game.
MVP, Defense
Well, everyone on this team had bad stretches in the zone, but I’d have to give this award to Edwards. Prior to getting injured, he averaged nearly seven rebounds and three blocks per affair. When he was anchoring the zone, he could be imposing, not only blocking shots, but altering them as well.
Most Surprising Player
I’m sure a bevy of my fellow ‘Cuse fanatics will give me a hard time for this one, but I’m going with graduate student forward Jimmy Boeheim. I didn’t know how things would go for Jimmy, as he didn’t play college basketball a stanza ago and was moving from the Ivy League to the ACC. Sure, his defense wasn’t always good, but he produced nearly 14 points and more than six boards per game, while connecting on about 47 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from beyond the arc.
Most Disappointing Player
I’m such a huge fan of freshman forward Benny Williams, as I think he’s got great character and work ethic. And I don’t put this all on Benny for the freshman term that he put forth, because he only averaged about 11 minutes per game. However, coming in so highly ranked, I think all of us Syracuse basketball fans had hoped for me, and it didn’t pan out. That being said, what Williams did against top-10 Duke at home in late February, to me, suggests that he is primed for a huge leap as a sophomore, similar to former Orange stars Michael Carter-Williams and Dion Waiters.
Best Shooter
A slight edge to senior forward Cole Swider over junior point guard Joe Girard III.
Best Rebounder
I’d give Edwards the nod, followed closely by Swider and Jimmy Boeheim.
Best Shot Blocker
Edwards. Duh.
Best Assist Maker
Girard led the Orange in assists, but to me, the premier facilitator for the Orange was junior guard Symir Torrence.
Best Steals Generator
A tie between Buddy Boeheim and Girard.
My friends, if you had a chance to look at my story here, I’d love to get some feedback on which ‘Cuse players you would have voted for in these various categories!