ACC Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Buddy Boeheim #35 of the Syracuse Orange reacts during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Cole Swider ACC Basketball Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Syracuse: Buddy Boeheim and Cole Swider

Decrease in production: Buddy Boeheim

With the transferring of Kadary Richmond (6.3 ppg, 21 mpg), Quincy Guerrier (13.7 ppg, 32.9 mpg) plus Alan Griffin (13.3 ppg, 29.3 mpg) declaring for the NBA Draft, and Marek Dolezaj (9.8 ppg, 35 mpg) the Syracuse Orange are going to see a decrease in production. Since Buddy Boeheim is the Syracuse Orange, it only stands to reason Boeheim himself will see a decrease.

Will Boeheim average almost 18 points per game, while connecting on 38 percent of the eight three-pointers he attempts and ultimately being named to the All-ACC Tournament Team? It’s possible, as he is that good, but it stands to reason it will be a lot more difficult. Boeheim will be the primary option on offense and every defender will know it. Not only will Boeheim be attempting more shots, but he will also be attempting a lot more contested shots.

Increase in production: Cole Swider

The main thing that kept Cole Swider coming off the Villanova bench for head coach Jay Wright was the fact that the 6’9 forward was a clear liability guarding the perimeter. Swider’s less than stellar defense limited his playing time to 19 minutes per game, where he managed to average fewer than six points. Swider’s transfer to Syracuse for the 2021-22 season will result in a permanent spot in the starting line-up, something that happened just twice last season.

Swider brings a 40 percent success rate from beyond the arc, which would have placed him as the best shooter for the Orange in 2020-21. In addition to his offensive upside, Swider will be able to stay on the court much more thanks to the well-known zone defense he will be a part of. Granted a zone defense does require much more than just standing in your dedicated zone, but the team defense itself is so good, Swider will never be left on a defensive island on the perimeter.