I've never noticed this before but... So much Dick Vitale in Jon Rothstein.

I mean, did you see his tweets yesterday from Syracuse Orange basketball practice? If that's all you know about this team, you'd be under the impression they're the greatest team in the history of the sport. All he needed to do was name a diaper dandy and he would have convinced me it actually was Dickie V.

Jim Boeheim told me DeJuan Coleman is down 40 pounds. Looks extremely fit. Should be one of the better freshmen in the country.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

C.J. Fair shooting the heck out of the ball from deep. Major 3-point threat. Monster year ahead.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

So much Ed O'Bannon in C.J. Fair....

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

There's going to be 2 to 4 games this year where Jerami Grant EXPLODES. May not get extended mins regularly but will be a key reserve 4 SU.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

So much Demetreis Nichols in James Southerland....

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

This is by far the best physically I've ever seen Brandon Triche. Averaged 10 PPG in 19 MPG last year. Big sr season ahead.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Could watch Jerami Grant play defense for days. Can be a neutralizer against so many positions. Underrated piece for Syracuse.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Jerami Grant is Okaro White with the potential to be better offensively. Shining here for Syracuse. Will be lethal in the 2-3.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

DaJuan Coleman will have a DeJuan Blair/Jared Sullinger type impact as a freshman for Syracuse. Just a man among college kids.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Syracuse's expected starting five will put 5 players on the floor bw 6-4 and 6-10. Crazy length as usual for the 2-3.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Syracuse working James Southerland in now at both SF and as a stretch 4. Woould be shocked if there's a better 6th man in college hoops.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

I'd say the biggest question w Syracuse is whether or not they have a reliable 3rd guard behind Triche + MCW. Need Trevor Cooney.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Trevor Cooney starting to feel it now. Has knocked down 3 straight treys.....make it 4.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Syracuse Associate HC Mike Hopkins constantly encouraging players throughout practice. The positive energy is infectious.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Jim Boeheim said he plans to use both C.J. Fair and James Southerland at the top of the 2-3 zone this year.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Michael Gbinije should step right into Brandon Triche's role for Syracuse following this season. Really solid all-around player.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 16, 2012

Couple strange ones in there.

So much Demetris Nichols in Southerland? Is that good?

Not quite sure how often we'll see Fair/Southerland atop the zone. That means Baye/Christmas/Coleman in down below. Where are the guards?

Overall, good stuff. He's pretty high on Southie. And hey, given how things turned out for Dion, nothing wrong with being Syracuse's sixth man.