Syracuse Basketball: Preview of Orange 2020-21 depth chart

Point Guards

Starter: Joe Girard III

Breaking out for the Orange last year, Joe Girard certainly lived up to the local hype which engulfed him immediately upon entering Syracuse’s campus, working as an effective offensive facilitator once making his way into the team’s starting lineup. Due to this, combined with the team’s depleted point guard supply, no choice other than Girard at the position exists.

But although they preserved an absolute stud from last year’s campaign at this spot, few reserve options exist. Cordes, unfortunately, feels like unreliable insurance policy behind Girard, as he drew very little interest from recruiters, coming as a walk-on for the Orange.

Redshirt freshman Shane Feldman comes from similar upbringings, having walked on himself a year ago, which then leaves Chris LaValle as the only other option at the position. Although LaValle stands out as a senior with the team, he averaged only 1.2 minutes per game last year, still scoreless during his time with the team.

With all that considered, Girard seems certain to lead his team in minutes per game while holding onto the program’s car keys. This might lead the team into some trouble when or if this heavy workload begins to fatigue Girard, as his understudies offered zero reason to trust them to possibly take some weight off Girard’s back and run the floor. But regardless, Girard simultaneously warranted no reason for fans to doubt his ability to take all this on while playing last year.

The team might look to play some bully ball, going big and asking either Buddy Boeheim or maybe Quincy Guerrier to take the ball up during a few positions to offer a brief recess for Girard during games, but the more likely scenario still sees Girard whole-heartedly locking in at point guard all season, doing so essentially from buzzer to buzzer.