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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: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a call. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – OCTOBER 25: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a call. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Season Projections

With all these reasons laid out, it is easy to see why many are high on Syracuse basketball heading into this season. And while the Orange have disappointed slightly over the past few regular seasons, there is no reason to bet against head coach Jim Boeheim this time around. Syracuse has an experienced starting lineup, quality depth, and one of the toughest defenses to gameplan for in the nation.

Syracuse is ranked at No. 16 in the AP preseason poll and I think that that is about right. While there are still some legitimate concerns surrounding the team, such as 3-point shooting and consistent offense, it would be a surprise if the Orange do not snag an NCAA Tournament bid and make at least a little bit of a run. This team, without a doubt, has second-weekend potential.

Even though Syracuse likely enters this season in the second tier of the ACC, this is nothing to be ashamed of. At least for now, ‘Cuse is not quite in the same category of national title contenders as Virginia, Duke, and North Carolina. Will that change, though, once the team takes the court? We will find out.

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For now, it is reasonable to be excited about the potential of Syracuse this year. As long as everyone stays healthy and Coach Boeheim is able to squeeze significant playing time out of his freshman, Syracuse will be a top-25 team all season long with the potential for a deep run in the Big Dance.

Predictions: 4th in the ACC, No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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