Syracuse Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Orange

Mar 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Buddy Boeheim (35) dribbles against San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Syracuse Basketball Buddy Boeheim Joseph Girard III Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting lineup

PG: Joseph Girard III, Junior

For some reason, it feels like Joe Girard III has been in college forever. But this is only his third season with the team, remarkably. Last season was actually a small decline from his freshman year, with Girard’s points per game slipping from 12.4 to 9.8. He was still a steady passer, though, averaging 3.5 assists per game for the second straight year. He also averaged 1.4 steals per game. Girard will once again be tasked with being the team’s steady floor general.

SG: Buddy Boeheim, Senior

The coach’s (younger) son is the star attraction. Buddy Boeheim averaged 17.8 points per game last season, hitting 38.3 percent of his three-pointers. Nobody has a greener light than Buddy, who has led the ACC in both three-point attempts and three-point makes each of the last two seasons. He averaged 36.2 minutes per game last season too, so getting him off the court is nearly impossible. As Buddy goes, the Orange will go.

SF: Cole Swider, Senior

Jimmy Boeheim could easily fill this role. But reports out of the offseason suggest Cole Swider is looking good. The Villanova transfer averaged just 5.2 points per game off the bench for Jay Wright’s squad last season. But he could pair with Buddy Boeheim for an elite perimeter shooting tandem, as he hit 40.2 percent of his threes last year.

PF: Jimmy Boeheim, Graduate Student

Jimmy Boeheim is an inch shorter than Swider, so it may make sense for them to switch – it’s all about matchups and getting the best five on the court, right? Jimmy Boeheim should fit that role, finishing in the top 15 in Ivy League scoring each of the last two years the league played. The adjustment to the ACC and from the long layoff could make it a tough start for Jimmy Boeheim, but he’ll piece it together.

C: Jesse Edwards, Junior

Center is the weakest position group for the Orange in 2021-22. Jesse Edwards projects as the starter, despite never starting for the team before. He averaged 1.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game off the bench. Health may be the biggest factor in picking a starter between Edwards and Bourama Sidibe.

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