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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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Syracuse Basketball Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Syracuse Basketball Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Season outlook

Syracuse could have some of the best players in the entire conference leading the way this season. Without a lot of depth on the bench or at center, however, will it be enough?

Buddy and Jimmy Boeheim should be dynamite players for the Orange, leading the team. Girard and Swider will provide steady production. And Williams will provide an intriguing freshman boost off the bench, particularly on defense.

But the team doesn’t have much at the center position, which opponents could easily exploit. Additionally, the team suffered a lot of significant losses in the offseason. The transfer of star Quincy Guerrier particularly stings.

There’s a real possibility Syracuse emerges from the muck as a top-tier conference team. But Jim Boeheim’s squad is going to have to get through a really challenging non-conference schedule to get there.

The Orange has all the hallmarks of a team that will once again find itself squarely on the bubble for much of the year. That didn’t end up harming the team too much last year when the NCAA Tournament came around. With elite players like Buddy Boeheim and steady production from his brother, cracking open the door could be enough for another second-weekend run.