Syracuse Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Orange

Starters

PG – SO Jalen Carey

Carey’s freshman season did not go according to plan, as adjusting to the fast-paced nature of the NCAA took longer than expected. The athletic 6-foot-3 guard showcases an explosive first step and is a good finisher around the rim. Shooting woes and turnovers were frequent for Carey, but with the keys to the offense and a season under his belt, expect a big step forward from the former No. 38 recruit, per ESPN.

SG – SO Buddy Boeheim

Originally expected not to play a huge role last season, Buddy Boeheim slowly became a staple in the Syracuse rotation. The 6-foot-6 guard is best known for his 3-point shooting, but he knows the defense just as well as anyone on the team. When Howard was injured and even suspended during the NCAA Tournament, it was Boeheim who saw the minutes boost. And he produced. Expect similar numbers out of Buddy as he works into his role as a regular starter for the Orange.

SF – JR Elijah Hughes

The expected star of the offense now that Battle and Brissett are gone, all eyes are on Hughes. The former East Carolina transfer exceeded expectations from a season ago, averaging 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while becoming SU’s most reliable 3-point shooter (42 percent). Hughes added highlight-reel blocks and dunks, a perfect fit inside Boeheim’s 2-3 zone. The 6-foot-6 forward is the lone returning regular starter and will be expected to carry the offensive load — at least early on — for the Orange.

PF – FR Quincy Guerrier

The early departure of Brissett has put all eyes on the incoming Canadian freshman forward Guerrier. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward should have no problem transitioning into the faster-paced, more physical NCAA. With only Hughes returning from the trio of scorers last season for the Orange, there’s an opportunity for Guerrier to step up and become a star in the ACC. He should be able to stretch the floor and use his big body to create shots inside the paint. Keep an eye on Guerrier, who has recently been projected as a first-round draft pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

C – JR Bourama Sidibe

Inconsistency and bad knees held Bourama Sidibe back last season, but the starting job is all his with Chukwu gone. Sidibe is more offensively gifted than Chukwu, using a variety of post moves to create scoring opportunities in his limited playing time last season. Though he did have trouble defensively at times, Sidibe should continue to improve, locking down the paint in Syracuse’s 2-3 zone.