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Syracuse Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Orange

By Lukas Harkins

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange speaks to his team during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange speaks to his team during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – OCTOBER 25: Boeheim #35 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – OCTOBER 25: Boeheim #35 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Key Reserves

Top projected reserves: Dolezaj, Boeheim, Carey, Sidibe, Braswell

Even though Syracuse relied heavily on its starting lineup last season, the expectation should be that head coach Jim Boeheim will go to his bench more this season. And this is completely due to the fact that is one of the deepest teams in recent Syracuse memory. Even though it seems likely that the trio of Howard/Battle/Brissett will still play major minutes, this group of reserves will be able to provide solid minutes off the bench.

Similar to last season, the first player of the bench this season will be Marek Dolezaj, in my opinion. A strong frontcourt contributor as a freshman last year, the 6-foot-9 Dolezaj will be the primary reserve at forward. Over the course of last season, he started in 17 total contests and posted 5.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 27.9 minutes per game.

Next, returning sophomore Bourama Sidibe should reprise his role as a reserve big man this season. Even though he only played 12.4 minutes per game last season, he did appear in 30 of 37 games for the ‘Cuse last season. On the whole, he averaged 2.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game.

Additionally, head coach Jim Boeheim is bringing in a strong recruiting class. Even though the class is ranked at just No. 43 nationally, each player might be able to supply reserve minutes as a freshman. Jalen Carey (No. 7 CG) will likely be the primary reserve at guard, Robert Braswell (No. 28 PF) may provide some frontcourt minutes, and Buddy Boeheim (No. 77 SG) could already be the best shooter on the roster.

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