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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
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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Symir Torrence (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Symir Torrence (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Key reserves

G Symir Torrence, Junior

Symire Torrence is a transplant from Marquette, where the guard spent his first two collegiate seasons. He didn’t do much in his limited playing time, averaging 2.0 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game over those two years. Syracuse’s guard depth is shallow on the bench, though, so Torrence will be asked to step it up.

F Benny Williams, Freshman

Freshmen don’t always get a ton of run in Jim Boeheim’s system, but Benny Williams could prove to be an exception. The freshman was just outside the top 30 in 247 Sports’ ranking for the class. He’s athletic and has the ability to shoot the rock. On a thin bench, expect Williams to push for minutes quickly.

C John Bol Ajak, Redshirt Sophomore

John Bol Ajak put his name into the transfer portal after last season but decided to return to Syracuse. The 6-foot-10 big man out of South Sudan didn’t play much in 2020-21, averaging 0.2 points and 0.4 rebounds per game in 10 contests. With Bourama Sidibe hurt, there may be more opportunity for playing time.

C Frank Anselem, Sophomore

Frank Anselem is another player that will be asked to step up in Sidibe’s absence. The Nigerian big man played even less than his South Sudanese counterpart but put up similar numbers. In four games, Anselem averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.