Last season was quite a rollercoaster ride for Syracuse and its fans. Expectations were high as point guard Gerry McNamara, the last significant remaining player from the 2003 national championship team, entered his last season with the Orange. The team failed to meet those lofty goals, suffering bouts of inconsistency in between flashes of brilliance.
Their results speak to the unpredictability of their season. First came a 40-point blowout loss to Depaul, a team which failed to make the NCAA Tournament, followed by an unprecedented run to the Big East Conference Tournament title. The tides turned quickly once the Orange reached the NCAA Tournament, where they suffered a loss to 12-seed Texas A&M in the first round.
Most people thought that the Orange, led by McNamara, would be competitive the entire season into March, but their lack of overall talent, depth and consistency ultimately led to their demise. Few have considered the possibility, however, that the Orange might actually be better off without McNamara this year.
Let's start with Gerry himself. Despite his leadership qualities and ability to hit clutch shots, McNamara was a decidedly average point guard. He often made ill-advised passes and had questionable shot selection. In addition, he was relatively undersized and didn't have adequate speed to compensate. Add in the mix that he was a mediocre defender, and you're left with one of the more over-hyped players in recent memory. He wouldn't have won a national championship without Carmelo Anthony; indeed he fell short during March Madness in the three years since Anthony left Syracuse. The loss of Gerry is not nearly as significant as it might appear.
Instead, take a look at what the Orange have. In place is a solid front line led by seniors Demetris Nichols, Terrence Roberts and Daryl Watkins, veterans who will be expected to take the reins now that McNamara is gone. Sophomore guard Eric Devendorf steps in as their floor general. He creates his own shot better than McNamara and will be a more effective point guard with a year under his belt.
New talent also comes to Syracuse in freshman Paul Harris, one of the most touted recruits in the country and the most hyped player to come to Syracuse since Anthony's one-year appearance in Orange. Part of the hype comes from the fact that Harris is somewhat reminiscent of a young Carmelo. While he doesn't have Anthony's size or skills, he is a talented and versatile player who will immediately become a tough match-up for most opponents. He is a bit of a raw talent, but he has tremendous potential and before long, could morph into the multi-talented go-to scorer that Syracuse desperately needs.
With Harris, Nichols, and Roberts, the Orange have a trio of long, athletic forwards who should thrive in coach Jim Boeheim's trademark 2-3 zone defense. The team sometimes struggled in the zone, a combination of personnel problems and a schedule that showcased many sharp-shooting perimeter teams. Expect them to be more tenacious on the defensive end this year.
Finally, the Orange have the benefit of a weaker Big East. This is not the same conference that sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament last season. Departures of key players at Connecticut, Marquette, Villanova and Louisville, among others, leave the conference fairly wide open. While Georgetown and Pittsburgh are, with good reason, the early favorites, it isn't obvious which other teams will emerge as frontrunners. The opportunity is there for the taking, and the Orange are well positioned to claim the conference crown.
It seems as if the stars have aligned for Syracuse to build upon last year's disappointment. The progress of the veterans and the development of Harris will make or break their season, thrusting last year's inconsistent Orange back into the spotlight.
