ACC Basketball: Duke, FSU leads early power rankings for 2021-22 season

2020-21 season record: 18-10 (9-7)

A pattern has emerged for the Syracuse Orange in the past few years. They underachieve in the regular season to get squarely on the bubble, barely get in thanks to the Selection Committee, and then go on a mini-run in the NCAA Tournament thanks to an individual getting hot and the opposing team looking as if they’ve never seen a zone before.

But the cycle isn’t completed yet until the following offseason, when the Orange loses half of its roster, including several surprise departures. This time around, it was breakout forward Quincy Guerrier transferring to Oregon and freshman Kadary Richmond to Seton Hall. Add both Marek Doležaj and Alan Griffin going pro and that’s a lot of production gone.

But Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim isn’t too worried since his son and All-ACC sharpshooter Buddy Boeheim (17.8 ppg) is back. He averaged around 23 ppg in the Sweet 16 run for the Orange and will be joined by brother and Cornell transfer Jimmy Boeheim, who averaged 16.8 ppg in the 2019-20 season. Point guard Joe Girard will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing sophomore campaign, while transfers Symir Torrence and Cole Swider look to add depth to the rotations.

It’ll be interesting to see how the frontcourt looks, particularly at the center position. Veteran big man Bourama Sidibe will be back, along with 6’11 big man Jesse Edwards. Look for top-50 versatile forward recruit Benny Williams to have a similar impact as Griffin did off the bench.

There’s a lot of offense on this roster but it doesn’t look very imposing on defense. There could be a lot of games involving Syracuse that end up in the 80s next season. If that happens, look for them to once again be in bubble territory.