The 2008-2009 NCAA basketball season ended last night and you know what that means...it's time to start predicting the 2009-2010 NCAA basketball season! And this time, Syracuse is among the teams that will be looking at overwhelmingly, unverified expectations...assuming no one leaves in the meantime.
The New York Times put out their list of the top ten teams most likely to win the 2010 National Championship and the Oange clock in at #8, albeit with a strong caveat:
Jonny Flynn’s decision will be the difference between top 25 and top 5.
No pressure, Jonny...do whatever you want...seriously...if you leave we'll be ruined...but....you know....no biggie...
Taking things to entirely new heights altogether, The Big Lead puts the Orange at #1 on their Irresponsibly Early College Hoops Top Ten.
Return its six best players if Jonny Flynn stays. Don’t know if any team in the country returns as much. With Pitt, Louisville and Connecticut likely suffering heavy losses, the Orange have to be the favorites in the Big East. Still think they lack a slashing, shooting SF - Paul Harris isn’t the answer - for when gunners Devendorf and Rautins hit a cold streak.
You could argue the Orange actually return their best seven players if you look at Kristof! from a statistical perspective. And TBL hasn't even met Wes Johnson yet...
Update: NBC Sports pegs the Orange at #2.
Coach Jim Boeheim has encouraged point guard Jonny Flynn to test the NBA waters. That’s OK as long as Flynn decides to come back. Flynn has developed into a star for college hoops. The game needs him back.
With Andy Rautins, Rick Jackson, Paul Harris, Arinze Onuaku and Eric Devendorf back, the Orange will have something special if Flynn returns.
H/T: rerunsu