Syracuse basketball 2016-2017 starting lineup predictions

The 2016-2017 Syracuse Orange basketball roster is set in stone with the addition of Andrew White III. Since the close of the 2015-2016 campaign we’ve thrown out predictions as to who will be the five starters in Orange for Jim Boeheim for the upcoming season. Now that we know what the roster looks like, the TNIAAM team took a stab at the starting lineup.

Sean Keeley:

PG: Tyus Battle

SG: Andrew White

SF: Tyler Lydon

PF: Tyler Roberson

C: Paschal Chukwu

Boeheim really loves being able to bring a “starter” off the bench to change the look and feel of the team on the floor and I think he’ll use Gillon to do that as soon as Battle makes his first mistake. I could honestly see Boeheim giving Coleman the nod over Chukwu as well just because that seems like something he would do, but it’s so hard not to put a 7-foot-2 guy out there for tip-off.

Matt Constas:

PG: John Gillon

SG: Andrew White

SF: Tyler Lydon

PF: Tyler Roberson

C: Dajuan Coleman

This lineup gives the Orange good size and its most experienced players which is why Coleman gets the nod over Chukwu and Gillon will hopefully set a solid pace with his speed.

Kevin Wall:

PG: Howard

SG: Tyus Battle

SF: Andrew White

PF: Tyler Lydon

C: Dajuan Coleman

My guess is that Roberson becomes the sixth man but he ends up coming in by the first TV timeout each game. Depending on how the game starts and the opponent’s strength, who he replaces will vary. I fully expect him to be part of the closing lineup, but after last year I believe Boeheim wants at least three shooters on the floor to start games.

Andrew Carey:

PG: Frank Howard

SG: Tyus Battle

SF: Andrew White

PF: Tyler Lydon

C: Dajuan Coleman

This will be the starting five but I think Roberson becomes the “sixth starter” while Gillon becomes the “seventh starter.” If Chukwu is the real deal then he will certainly see time in the middle of the zone.

Ari Gilberg:

PG: John Gillon

SG: Andrew White

SF: Tyler Lydon

PF: Tyler Roberson

C: Dajuan Coleman

James Szuba:

PG: John Gillon

SG: Andrew White

SF: Tyler Lydon

PF: Tyler Roberson

C: Dajuan Coleman

Syracuse lost its fifth-year senior starting backcourt from a season ago and raises you... a fifth-year senior starting backcourt. How did that happen? Fact check me here, but that has to be the first time that’s ever happened in college basketball history.

I think Gillon gets the nod at one over Franklin Howard simply because of experience. I expect Howard to have a solid sophomore season and to be a steady contributor off the bench with an improved jumper. White and Lydon will be Syracuse’s two best players and two leading scorers. I don’t buy the notion that Lydon comes off the bench, but then again stranger things have happened. (Read: Dion Waiters as Syracuse’s sixth man, gets drafted fourth overall in the NBA Draft) Traditionally Boeheim favors his seniors who know the system, so holding down the back line will be (plugged-in) Robie while Coleman anchors the middle of the zone. I expect Tyus Battle and Paschal Chukwu to play between 15-25 minutes per game each. I think when Battle checks in, White can slide to the three for spot minutes as well. Dollars to donuts Taurean Thompson gets some early action but sees his role diminish in ACC play as Boeheim elects to go with an eight man rotation.

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What do you think, Orange nation? This is probably the most diverse in terms of starting lineup predictions I’ve seen in recent memory. The case can be made for any of the first eight players in rotation to start. I could see why Howard would start and how Gillon could come in and change tempo off the bench. I could see the case for Battle to start as well as Chukwu down low. Be sure to leave your thoughts and predictions in the comments section.