Syracuse Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Orange

Starting Lineup

Although Hughes’s departure leaves a significant hole for the Orange to patch up, the team’s other four starters from last year all returned this offseason, helping the team maintain some stability at the very least.

Joe Girard III – Point Guard

As perhaps the team’s most exciting player from last year, Girard enters his sophomore year as an incredibly vital weapon for the Orange at the point guard spot. Likely to inherit Hughes’s scoring load from last year, watch for Girard to build on his totals from by notable measures.

But even without the opportunity presented by Hughes’s absence, Girard’s inapparent competition at point guard advertises him as the most likely candidate to become “the guy” during this season as well. Outside Girard, only a few walk-ons exist as point guards across the roster behind senior Chris LaValle, who averaged just 1.2 minutes per game last year.

Having acknowledged this, Girard’s scoring and usage certainly poise to increase heavily. However, his assist numbers might take the farthest leap as an underrated aspect to keep an eye on for the Glens Falls native. With the offense now likely built around him as a primary ball-handler rather than Hughes along the wing, watch for Girard to drive and kick out to Boeheim and Griffin beside him more often this season, in addition to his natural aggressiveness as a scorer.

Buddy Boeheim – Shooting Guard

Having blossomed into the conference’s best three-point shooter last year after knocking down the most shots from beyond the arc by a wide margin, Boeheim proved his worth as a true ACC talent to the few still doubting him. But beyond his shooting, Boeheim also managed to carve out a reputation as a solid wing defender as well.

Similarly to Girard, expect the Orange to rely heavily on Boeheim during the upcoming season. His ability to put up points with ease makes him a must-start asset especially for a team moving on from a prolific scorer.

Fans might want to especially pay attention to Boeheim when bigs such as Newton or Anselem check-in, as they present a chance to stretch the floor and open up additional shooting opportunities for Boeheim unlike anything ever offered to him with Sidibe, Dolezaj, or even Paschal Chukwu on the floor.

Alan Griffin – Small Forward

Although sophomore Quincey Guerrier might seem like the safe bet to start at small forward for the Orange come November, Alan Griffin’s upside feels far too substantial to limit him to a role off the bench, even once considering his unfamiliarity to the program in comparison to Guerrier.

Coming to Syracuse via the transfer portal and earning immediate eligibility, Griffin last played for Illinois where he served as an astute three-and-d player, leading his team with a 42% three-point shooting percentage while averaging 4.5 rebounds per game.

Although he also often handles the ball well while also scoring effectively around the rim, it was Griffin’s shot-creating tendencies that made him a top transfer target for several division one teams this summer. Either finding open spots off the ball with ease or carving out space himself off the dribble, Griffin always finds a way to get his shots off.

But beyond his shooting, Griffin also managed to secure 50 offensive rebounds for the Fighting Illini last year. With this in mind, Griffin may also help take some pressure of Sidibe’s and Dolezaj’s shoulders this year as well.

Marek Dolezaj – Power Forward

Playing over 30 minutes a game last year, Dolezaj operated as a solid “glue guy” for the Orange, often showing more hustle than anyone else on the court while also contributing with 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest.

Perhaps his most impressive outing came during a victory over Georgia Tech last year, where Dolezaj only went 4/6 from the field, but again illustrated his toughness by earning 12 free-throw attempts, tossing every single one through the hoop.

Dolezaj lacks the flash and explosiveness one might hope to find at the power forward spot, but keeping him on the floor helps the Orange maintain a gritty play style, an approach certainly required if the team hopes to pull off some upsets this year against their esteemed ACC rivals. Rumors expressing that the Slovakian product put on some additional muscle this offseason as well as some work on his three-point shot remain something to keep an eye on as well

Bourama Sidibe – Center

Having finally experienced a season without much injury and without any other true big men on the team, Sidibe played significant minutes for the first time during his time wearing Orange threads last year as a junior. Finishing out strong, Sidibe earned double-figure rebound totals during Syracuse’s final six games, a feat he never once accomplished at the collegiate level before.

But although he also offered up some highlight-reel rejections last year on the defensive end, the Orange need Sidibe to attack with more aggressiveness offensively to take the next step as a team. However, an entire year now separates Sidibe from his former injury woes, leading one to expect that his most confident playing days indeed still lie ahead.

If Sidibe can continue his rebounding success and attack more offensively to put up numbers anywhere close to a double-double each night, it will sure enough put a smile on coach Boeheim’s face.