Syracuse
October 13, 2003 04:49 PM | General
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2002-03 Record: 30-5
Postseason: NCAA Champions
Big East Repeat Opponents: Connecticut; Notre Dame; Pitt
Non-Conference Schedule: Charlotte; Rhode Island; St. Bonaventure; Binghamton; Manhattan; Siena; Colgate; UNC-Asheville; Canisius; Michigan State; Missouri
Head Coach: Jim Boeheim (653-226, 27 years)
Players to Watch: F, Hakim Warrick (14.8 ppg., 8.5 rpg.); G, Gerry McNamara (13.3 ppg., 4.4 apg.)
Bob Gibbons 300 Top Newcomers: Demetrious Nichols (#45); Darryl Watkins (#55); Terrence Roberts (#62); Louie McCroskey (#95)
Preseason Capsule
Forward Hakim Warrick returns as one of the nation's most exciting players
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Syracuse has the luxury of being the only team in America to begin the season as the defending national champion. And while a repeat might be a stretch in 2004 with the early departure of Carmelo Anthony to the NBA, it is not out of the realm of possibility for the Orangemen to make another trip to the Final Four.
There are still many components left from last year’s team that went 30-5 and boasted one of the top offenses in the country.
The return of 6-foot-8 jumping jack Hakim Warrick has Syracuse fans excited. Voted the Big East’s most improved player in 2003, Warrick averaged 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in a superb supporting role to Anthony.
Senior Jeremy McNeil and junior Craig Forth return to share the center duties. Between the two of them they averaged about seven points and eight rebounds per game.
The backcourt has three key players back and must be considered among the best in the country with point guard Gerry McNamara, and shooting guards Billy Edelin and Josh Pace returning.
McNamara made a big splash on the college basketball scene last year and if not for teammate Anthony, would have drawn considerable attention for Big East rookie of the year honors. Still, the 6-foot-2 Scranton, Pa., resident made the all-rookie team after averaging 13.3 points and 4.4 assists per game.
Edelin averaged nine points per game as a backup while Pace proved a valuable reserve, averaging 4.3 points per game off the bench. Pace, at 6-foot-5, also provides Syracuse with the size at guard to match up with bigger lineups.
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim signed one of the nation’s best recruiting classes, with all four signees listed among the top 100 high school players. The recruit with the biggest upside could very well be 6-foot-8 Demetrius Nichols of Barrington, R.I., a third team Parade All-American who could find himself in Anthony’s small forward spot when the season begins.
Syracuse has the benefit of playing nine of its first 10 games of the season in the Carrier Dome. SU’s only road game is a short trip to play depleted St. Bonaventure In Rochester. Look for Syracuse to be near the top of the national rankings by the time Big East play begins.
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