NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 2023 inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge matchups

9. LSU Tigers at Syracuse Orange

Two of the more disappointing teams from last season were LSU and Syracuse, who from a talent perspective, certainly underachieved. The Orange made a change of their own, as Jim Boeheim went off into the sunset, replaced by longtime assistant, Adrian Autry. Two of the team’s top three guys transferred out (Joe Girard and Jesse Edwards) but they did return one 16 ppg scorer in Judah Mintz.

Joining Mintz is a roster filled with young talent that is both unproven but has high respective ceilings. Former top 50 prospects, Chance Westry and Kyle Cuffe come via the portal, along with freshman guard from Notre Dame, JJ Starling. The frontcourt has some questions but the hope is that 7’4 big man Naheem Mcleod can replace Edwards from an interior defensive standpoint.

LSU’s frontcourt is going to look different as well. Nevada transfer Will Baker and former Kentucky big man Daimion Collins will play at the five-spot, joined by GW forward transfer, Hunter Dean. The key will be how good the incoming perimeter players are. Carlos Stewart averaged 15 ppg at Santa Clara, while PG Jalen Cook put up nearly 20 ppg at Tulane last season. Plus, Jordan Wright comes over from Vanderbilt as a double-digit scoring wing.

This may not be a game featuring NCAA Tournament teams but it’s going to be interesting to see how the new Syracuse coaching staff looks, along with whether or not Coach Matt McMahon and LSU can get out of the SEC basement.