I think Syracuse has some question marks. Most teams do. But consider this. We are really high on Tadric and see him as one of our bright lights for the coming season. They have a 5* PF and a 4* SG who were both ranked ahead of Tadric on most boards and will probably start this year. The cupboard is not near empty at Syracuse. Plus, they have some proven talent coming back.
Sorry for jumping in a couple days late guys. Thanks for tagging me
@kg01. Definitely got my attention.
@orientalnc summarizes the Syracuse situation fairly well as does
@Peacone36. The dual fan in me finds it hard to sell Tadric (3* PG) being a difference-making frosh in this game when Syracuse brings in a 4* PG and 5* PF at the same time. Similarly GT is hoping Jorgenson, a 3* PG, will come back and play well. Syracuse is hoping a 5* C (Coleman) can recover from a leg injury and contribute this year.
As many have mentioned this will be a down year for Syracuse still, despite what will likely be a starting line-up of all 4*+ players. Thankfully for GT fans, to me the difference has nothing to do with fresh blood nor 1-on-1 match-ups. GT frankly loses just about every argument there. Instead last year GT won as a team and via the passing of Carter and Miller playing high-low to near perfection against the zone. Two 7-footers who were able to play above and around the 'Cuse zone with a lot of length was something I wasn't expecting. Very impressive and despite GT's lack of proficiency from 3-pt land the zone actually played right into GT's strengths.
What is GT going to do this year though to compensate for their losses inside? I know we have transfers, but it's rare finding big men who work as well together as Carter/Miller did in this particular game last year. Also Syracuse's ability to score probably can't get any worse this year with the team/talent they have coming back if we're honest about just how bad they were offensively last year.
Last thing that I said it after last year's game too. GT's win over Syracuse last year looked good from a rankings perspective, but that was a case where rankings created a perception that did not match reality. Syracuse wasn't even top 25 good when the season shook out. GT still outplayed and outcoached Syracuse and deserved to win, and as a result I don't think it's a bold statement by saying GT can hang with Syracuse at home this year. There are too many unknowns on both sides to disprove any argument.
Can't wait for college basketball to tip off and to have some real X's and O's conversations with all you gym rats on the board!
