Syracuse Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Orange

Key Reserves

Although Griffin seems like the best option, the small forward spot remains entirely up for grabs, with multiple players likely to challenge for it. Also down low, the Orange this year own more depth going into the 2020-21 season than any team in recent memory, with a few talented bigs likely to chip away minutes from Sidibe.

Quincey Guerrier – Small Forward

Serving as a spark plug off the bench last year, Guerrier averaged 6.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest as a trustworthy option even as a freshman. But although he at first seemed likely to move into the starting lineup with Hughes declaring for the NBA Draft, he now appears more likely to reprise his former role once more with Griffin joining the squad.

Guerrier already operates exceptionally down on the block, but if he wants to challenge for more minutes, his outside shooting requires some serious improvement. Posing absolutely no threat as a three-point option, Guerrier shot only 12.5% on his minimal attempts from beyond the arc last year.

Also shooting only 60.6% from the free throw line, Guerrier struggled to make his opponents pay after drawing fouls as well. But even with all this work cut out for him, at the very least, Guerrier knows exactly what hurdles lie before him in regard to his quest for additional minutes.

Kadary Richmond – Small Forward

Joining the team this year as a true freshman, Richmond owns perhaps the best chance amongst all Syracuse freshman to carve out significant minutes and even contend for a starting role. As a top 100 recruit, Richmond possesses start potential, wielding a solid jump shot and speed certain to help both on the drive, in transition, and defensively.

Despite his 6’5 stature, Richmond also carries all the guard-like qualities necessary to serve as a primary ball-handler. Possibly playing as a point forward, watch for Richmond to also provide relief for Girard and work as an offensive facilitator. This versatility poises to help the Orange from a team standpoint exponentially with Girard lacking any real backup option at point guard.

Woody Newton – Power Forward

Noted as a “willing three-point shooter” by 247Spots, Woody Newton offers the Orange a chance to stretch the floor well this season, joining the team as a freshman and likely to work behind Dolezaj this year. Having also shown off some serious explosiveness during his days at Mt. Zion Prep, Newton certainly deserves some recognition as a buy-low, sell-high player on this roster.

But like his Slovakian counterpart during his first four years with the Orange, Newton lacks the strength one might hope for at the power forward spot. Regardless, his intriguing upside still warrants any fan’s attention whenever he checks in. Look for him to pick up roughly ten minutes per contest and offer one or two highlight plays each week.

John Bol Ajak – Power Forward

After redshirting last year, John Bol Ajak joins the team ready to contribute as a plug-in tool, primed to work advantageously during defensive sets. Stretching out to 6’10 while weighing 205 pounds, Bol Ajak’s size yet quickness keep makes him a perfect candidate to operate as an anchor for the team’s trademark 2-3 defense.

The Orange struggled mightily on the defensive end last year, earning only the 116th best defensive efficiently rating last year amongst all division one teams. With this acknowledged, even though his offensive skills still require some work, his value as a defensive asset undoubtedly outweighs any other shortcomings.

As perhaps the team’s most raw prospect, Bol Ajak might not play much during contested games, but fans might want to keep a tab on his progress for the seasons yet to come.

Frank Anselem – Center

Besides Richardson, Frank Anselem feels like another young, crowning jewel for the Orange to display this season. With a solid frame and eye-catching athleticism, Anselem wields all the tools necessary to emerge as a bonafide star for Syracuse.

Although for now set to serve as an understudy behind Sidibe, Anselem’s upside feels impossible to ignore, so expect more minutes to float his way as the season progresses. Additionally, no other division one player committed more personal fouls per game last year the Sidibe, which might also drop more minutes onto his plate as well.