Syracuse Basketball: Observations – good and bad – from SU exhibition win

Hey, folks, Syracuse basketball is here! Well, sort of.

I know that we’re all enjoying the 6-1 start by Syracuse football, but the 2022-23 regular season for Syracuse basketball is right around the corner as well.

Orange hoops will begin its upcoming campaign on November 7 at home versus Lehigh, but prior to that, the ‘Cuse has two exhibition contests, one of which transpired on Tuesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Orange found itself in a battle on Tuesday evening versus Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania (“IUP”), but the ‘Cuse did manage to pull away in the second half for an 86-68 triumph.

Let’s look at some key takeaways for Syracuse basketball in its win over IUP.

Props to IUP
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is an excellent squad. The Crimson Hawks are well-coached, and I’m getting the sense that they will be a significant contender to capture a national title at the Division II level.

Despite coming into the Dome and playing a big-name brand program, IUP in no way was scared of the ‘Cuse. The Crimson Hawks appeared confident throughout this exhibition game, and they expected to keep this encounter close, if not pull off the upset. Kudos to IUP players and coaches.

SU runs through its senior starters
The Orange’s 2022-23 roster is flush with a lot of underclassmen, including six freshmen, a young big-man transfer, and sophomore forward Benny Williams.

There is loads of talent and potential within the ‘Cuse line-up, but this squad will be led by its two senior starters, shooting guard Joe Girard III and center Jesse Edwards.

I love that Girard (17 points) is going to play primarily at the two-spot this season, and on offense, Syracuse basketball has to make a consistent and concerted effort to get the ball to Edwards (16 points) through pick-and-rolls and other schemes.