CBS Sports adds Syracuse basketball to preseason top 25

Yes, it’s still Syracuse Orange football season. So basketball-only folks, get off my lawn.

That said, hoops is just around the corner, and pundits are starting to revisit early projections in advance of the season starting in a little over a month.

One of those outlets to take a second look at the Orange basketball program: CBS Sports.

Gary Parrish released a revised top 25 today, and after being unranked last time, Syracuse comes in at 21st this time around. Said Parrish:

“The addition of Nebraska transfer Andrew White helped ease the losses of Michael Gbinije and Malachi Richardson. He averaged 16.6 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Huskers last season and will fit nicely beside Tyler Lydon.”

He’s right about that. While expectations were there for SU prior to White’s addition, the news of the Nebraska transfer joining the fold has created a whole different bar for the team to jump over this coming season.

Syracuse is surrounded by some familiar foes in Parrish’s rankings, including UConn (no. 19), and Cal (no. 22). There are a total of five ACC teams in the poll, starting with Duke at no. 1, then North Carolina (no. 6), Virginia (no. 9), Louisville (no. 16) and the Orange. SU’s ACC/Big Ten challenge opponent Wisconsin comes in at 12th as well.

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