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The Syracuse Orange just wrapped up a difficult and frustrating 2018-19 season. That’s the bad news.
But the good news: Syracuse also sort of starts over next year. That may also be bad news, as SU says goodbye to veteran contributors Frank Howard, Paschal Chukwu and Tyus Battle. Those players weren’t directly part of the issues that plagued the Orange all season (and admittedly, recent season), however this could be a golden opportunity for Jim Boeheim to reset things a bit assuming he’s near the final few years of his storied coaching career.
We’re not talking about him abandoning the zone or suddenly pushing out a team full of would-be Steph Curry types. Still, with at least three sharpshooters on next year’s squad (Buddy Boeheim, Elijah Hughes, Joe Girard III), there’s reason to believe Syracuse could look a LOT different on offense next year, in a good way. We’ll see if that carries over to the defense as well, but if there’s a major issue, that could be where this group takes a step or two backward.
In any case, Syracuse.com’s Mike Waters took a look at both sides of that conversation a bit. We’ll be looking ahead as well in the coming weeks.
That, plus the rest of your Syracuse-related links below:
Analysis: There will be many changes for Syracuse basketball team next season (Syracuse.com)
“We are obviously going to have a young group going into next year,’’ Buddy Boeheim said, “but me and Jalen got some good experience this year.’’ Syracuse also will look to replace Paschal Chukwu, the 7-foot-2 center who started 68 games over the past three years. While Chukwu was sometimes frustrating to watch as he struggled offensively and sometimes got pushed aside by stronger players, he was a defensive presence who could also find his way to rebounds at times.
Noah Syndergaard is unhappy in Mets’ final preseason workout in Syracuse (New York Daily News)
“We’re going to Sarasota, and then to Syracuse,” Syndergaard said. “We’re not going to New York. You’d think we’re going to New York, as adults, to get our things, our priorities in order. But no, we have to go to Syracuse first.” Syndergaard is acutely frustrated with the Mets’ poor planning as the team prepares for Opening Day against the Nationals.
Tyus Battle should be remembered for his ability to take, and make, clutch shots (Daily Orange)
One coach said: “I like Tyus. I like his size. He’s intriguing. Gun to my head, I don’t think he’s quite an NBA player. I don’t know if he has the efficiency and the athleticism to get his game off. He has that it-factor. He wants to take and make big shots. I do think he’s close. But I don’t think he’s a no-brainer right now.”
‘He’s crazy’: How quirky is Huskies’ coach Mike Hopkins? Let his players tell you (Seattle Times)
“He wasn’t putting anything in there. It was metaphorical. He’s like, ‘Extra shots. Extra film. Togetherness.’ Then he goes and sets it down and he says, ‘When the ball tips off, we’re going to let the bomb off.’ It was just crazy. He was talking all serious holding this big dumpster like it was normal.”
‘There’s something in the water’ — Alex Tuch’s childhood street a factory for elite athletes (The Athletic)
Golden Knights forward Alex Tuch grew up on a quiet street in Baldwinsville, New York. The small town of only 8,000 people sits just northwest of Syracuse on the Seneca River. In the community of Radisson, Tuch and his childhood friends spent their summers playing basketball and street hockey in their cul-de-sac, and their winters playing hockey in the Tuchs’ backyard ice rink.
College football game to circle now for each Top 25 team (ESPN)
After first year with his dad, Buddy Boeheim got no special treatment (Daily Orange)
‘If I’m going to do this, I want to be great’: Tammi Reiss uses player-driven style to thrive as Syracuse assistant (Daily Orange)
Which conferences were most impressive and which fell on their face in NCAA Tournament? (Miami Herald)
Coaching staff key for new Syracuse recruit Lemieux (247Sports)