Syracuse Basketball Rises Up the Polls

With players like Johnny Flynn, Paul Harris, and Eric Devendorf opting for the pros I figured this year’s Syracuse men’s basketball had top 25 potential at best, especially after a exhibition lose to Division II Le Moyne College. Granted it was preseason, but after that abysmal performance all signs pointed to a disappointing season. Well after the first two weeks of the regular season ‘Cuse sits at 4-0. Wins against Cal and North Carolina have catapulted Syracuse all the way up to #9 in the USA Today/ESPN poll, and the outlook for the season might have taken a change for the better.

After the “big 3” jumped to the next level fans were left to wonder what if? Now fans have to start forgetting about what could have been, and start to think about what can be. Led by senior 3-point sniper Andy Rautins this team can flat out shoot the ball. Rautin’s overall game has improved beyond any fan’s wildest dream, he is an all around player now. Rautins can drive, shoot from the outside, dish the ball, and play defense like I never thought he was capable of. Combo that with the inside presence of Arinze Onuka, and Rick Jackson this team is one to be feared come March.

Even if the Syracuse’s offense sputters at times, their renowned Jim Boeheim 2-3 zone will be able to keep them in games. Don’t get me wrong last year’s team was great, but the problem was they might have been too top heavy. After watching ‘Cuse’s fight four games I don’t see them having that same problem this year. Top to bottom they are very well balanced.

Although it’s early I do believe ‘Cuse can be at least a sweet 16 team this year. They’ve already shown they can play with the best, and you know they’ll be battle tested after Big East conference play. When it comes down to it the key’s to this year’s team will be defense and free throw shooting. The only hole I see in ‘Cuse’s game is their free throw shooting. The Orange have been downright nauseating at the line thus far this season, and unless that changes they will have a hard time closing out teams.