SU opens its season tonight against the Big Red in the Carrier Dome.
It’s finally here — the 2017-18 Syracuse men’s basketball season.
It’s like Christmas in November — you don’t know what you’re getting, you may be pleasantly surprised, you might be disappointed but no matter what you can’t wait.
There are countless storylines surround the program this season: Will Syracuse get back to the NCAA Tournament this season? How long will it take SU’s youth to mature into seasoned college basketball players? What will Matt Moyer’s first season on the floor entail? Will Frank Howard finally have a solid season from start to finish that we’ve been anticipating?
Here are five things to watch heading into tonight’s opener against the Big Red:
1. Jimmy Boeheim vs. Syracuse
Jimmy Boeheim, the son of SU head coach Jim Boeheim, will make his collegiate debut for the Big Red on Friday night against his father’s team. Jimmy, a 6-foot-8 forward, can do it all and will be asked to do a lot. He’s the tallest player on Cornell’s roster. It’s hard to predict what’ll happen, but I think everyone is hoping Jimmy has a good game in the Dome. He grew up in the Carrier Dome — it’s only fitting he has a good performance.
2. Can Oshae be SU’s No. 2 behind Tyus?
Even though the season hasn’t started, we all know who Syracuse’s No. 1 on offense will be. Tyus Battle didn’t need to test the NBA waters to know he wanted to come back for his sophomore season. Now, unlike last season, Battle will be the No. 1 option and defenses will key on him. Last year, Andrew White and John Gillon took some stress off of Battle. This season, it’s TBD.
Brissett was impressive from a scoring standpoint in the first two exhibition games. Will it continue into the regular season?
3. Sidibe vs. Chukwu
This is something that has been circling around the Syracuse basketball world for a while now. Who will be SU’s center this season? Who will man the middle of the zone? It doesn’t necessarily matter who starts, but who plays the bulk of the minutes and protects the rim in the sacred 2-3 zone?
My guess is freshman Bourama Sidibe will be the guy, however both will continue to play. Sidibe has shown signs on both ends of the floor that he’s a more complete player and better option overall.
Chukwu, who is entering his second season on the floor with the Orange and third overall, hasn’t made the strides some thought he would. He still has time to improve and show what he’s capable of, but Sidibe looks like he could be the real deal.
4. Matthew Moyer’s debut
Matthew Moyer will make his much anticipated debut with the Orange on Friday. Moyer’s story with the Syracuse basketball program is one of my favorites.
When he visited Syracuse he was blown away by the campus and what the university and program had to offer. The staff extended a scholarship offer and Moyer instantly knew where he wanted to go. He waited a few days just to make sure the feelings stayed the same — which they did — and he called up Jim Boeheim.
He stuck with the Orange through the NCAA sanctions. He helped recruit Tyus Battle, and never once considered another school despite all of the turmoil around the program.
As for Matt as a player, the verdict is still out. He’ll step on the court in a meaningful game for the first time on Friday night. He, among many SU fans, can’t wait.
5. Geno Thorpe’s ankle
Thorpe will enter Friday’s game with a nagging ankle injury that limited him in the exhibition season. He didn’t play in SU’s first exhibition game, and was somewhat limited in the second.
Barring any setbacks that we may have had, I expect Thorpe to play Friday against Cornell. How much? I don’t know.
Thorpe adds depth to the guard position for the Orange — and he can play both the 1 and 2. But if his ankle is bothering him in the slightest bit, is it worth him playing?
It’s something to monitor.
