SWC75
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The Non-Conference Schedule
Everybody’s talking about how strong the new conference will be but we were already in a strong conference. What really makes this schedule challenging is the non-conference schedule, easily the toughest we’ve ever had. SU fans are used to their team breezing into the conference slate with records like 13-0 or 12-1. We had an amazing stretch from 2008-12 where we won 52 consecutive non-conference regular season games. This year will be a much bigger challenge and the non-conference schedule includes games with Villanova and St. John’s that used to be Big East games, (we are trying to maintain some old rivalries), a rematch with Indiana, who we knocked off as the #1 seed in the Sweet 16 last year and a trip to Maui to play some more good teams. It will be more exciting than in the past but a rockier road at the same time. These summaries are based primarily on what I read in Athlon’s and Lindy’s pore-season magazines.
Friday, 11/8/13 CORNELL at the Carrier Dome
This game has already been played. It wasn’t supposed to be close and it didn’t wound up being close. But it was. Cornell was 13-18 last year and their best player was out with an injury. But they played well on both ends in the first half. Nolan Cressler, a 6-4 guard, went off from the arc for 20 first half points. We couldn’t seem to get out of our own way on the other end and when we did the Big Red was in the way. Syracuse was actually behind 22-36 with 4:17 left in the half. They rallied down the stretch to make it 32-38 at the half. In the second half we came out with much more defensive intensity and better focus on the offensive end and outscored them, 48-22. For a game that disappointed much of the way it wound up being encouraging because we needed to figure out how to beat a team that was playing very well and players we had serious questions about led the way. Trevor Cooney was hero of the game, hitting 10 of 12 shots and 7 of 8 three pointers for 27 points. Michael Gbinije looked like the player we thought we were getting and Rakeem Christmas was dominant underneath in the second half.
Tuesday, 11/5/13 7:30PM FORDHAM at the Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
The Rams are trying to grow back their horns after some down years at the bottom of the Atlantic 10 Last year they were a 7-24 team. But they made a big splash in recruiting New York’s player of the year a 6-3 guard named Jon Severe, who hit for 28 points, including 7 for 10 from three point range in an opening 20 point win over St. Francis of Pennsylvania. Like a lot of our early opponents, they are a guard-oriented team that could get hot against our zone but will be unable to deal with our size underneath.
Saturday, 11/16/2013 4:30PM COLGATE at the Carrier Dome on ACC Regional Network
Where were you in ’62? Well, on February 24, 1962, Colgate beat Syracuse 67-63. They haven’t done it since. We’ve won 47 games in a row against the Red Raiders. We only beat them by 36 last year. The year before it was 45 and the year before that 57, so the trend is in Colgate’s favor. Their star is Murphy Burnatowski, a 6-7 forward who averaged 17.4ppg last year. Their backcourt is actually bigger than ours, (6-5, 6-4). Their frontcourt is not. They gave Wake Forest fits in their opener, leading by 8 in the second half, before losing by 11. This figures to be closer than we are used to with this team, but with the same result.
MAUI INVITATIONAL
Monday, 11/18/2013 7:30PM ST FRANCIS of BROOKLYN at Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
This is technically part of the Maui tournament but will be played in the Dome. Apparently, Syracuse will not have to win this game to move on to the quarterfinals in Hawaii. The mainland teams, who represent all the major conferences, play someone like St. Francis in the first round at home and the opponents in those games then meet in a tournament of their own held on the mainland. The Terriers were 12-18 last year but have a good inside-outside combination in Jalen Cannon, 6-6, 220, who averaged 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds last year and Ben Mockford, a 6-2 guard who averaged 11.1.
Monday 11/25/13 5:30PM MINNESOTA at Lahaina Civic Center on ESPN or ESPN2
This will be our first game against a power-conference team and it could be a tough one. . The Golden Gophers were 21-13 last year and 8-10 in the Big Ten. They have a coach with a familiar name: 31 year old Richard Pitino, Rick’s son, who debuted at Florida International last year, going 19-14. That would not normally have been enough to get him the Minnesota job but for that last name. But if he can coach like his father, any team he coaches will be a formidable opponent. Ironically, he’s replacing Tubby Smith, who had replaced his father at Kentucky. Richard had been an assistant under another Pitino disciple, Billy Donovan at Florida. So expect an aggressive, pressing defense and an offense that rains three pointers. Minnesota lost three starters and lacks front-experience and depth court depth. But they have the Hollins non-brothers, 6-1 Andre, who averaged 14.6 and 3.4 assists and 6-4 Austin, 10.7.2.6 and 6-2 Malik Smith who followed Pitino from FIU and averaged 14.7 there with 96 treys. He can play immediately. If we beat Minnesota we move on the semi-finals, below. If not we will be in a four team playoff to determine 5th place with three other teams covered in the next two sections.
Tuesday 11/26/13 at 2PM or 7PM ARKANSAS or CALIFORNIA at Lahiana Civic Center on ESPN or ESPN2
We beat both these teams last year. We topped the Razorbacks on 11/30 in their place, 91-82 and James Southerland had his career game with 35 points and a school record 9 three pointers. Then we beat the Golden Bears in the Big Dance, holding on for a 66-60 win after having a 12-14 point lead for most of the second half. Either team will want some pay-back. Arkansas was 19-13 and 10-8 in the SEC last year. Two guys jumped to the NBA and a third transferred so Coach Mike Anderson will be playing some new guys. Bobby Portis, a 6-9 225 forward was a McDonald’s All American Moses Kingsley, 6-9 210 was a Top 100 guy and 6-6 230 Alandise Harris, a Houston transfer will help with “his rugged presence and muscle”. They have a veteran backcourt but shot a disappointing 33% from three point range last year, usual an Arkansas staple. The Golden Bears were 21-12 and 12-6 in the Pac 10 last year. Mike Montgomery last leading scorer Alan Crabbe, who jumped to the NBA but has 6-3 Justin Cobbs who averaged 15.1 and top recruit Jabari Bird, a 6-6 guard, another Mickey Dees. He also has 6-10 235 Richard Solomon, who burned us for 22 points and 14 rebounds in the NCAA loss. If we beat either of these teams, we will be in the title game, which we won over Indian the other two times we have been in their tournament, (1991 and 1999). If not we will be in a consolation game against one of the four teams covered for the final, below.
Wednesday 11/27/13 TBA BAYLOR, CHAMINADE, DAYTON or GONZAGA at Lahiana Civic Center on ESPN or ESPN2
If we make it to the finals, we’ll be playing one of the above teams. It will be interesting to see if Baylor’s basketball scoring average equals their football average. But the Bears can play roundball, too. Last year they were 23-14 and 9-9 in the Big 12. They won the post season NIT. They had two big men, 7-1 225 Isaiah Austin and 6-9 220 Corey Jefferson who flirted with the NBA but decided to stay for another year. Austin averaged 13.0ppg, 8.3rpg with 58 blocks. Jefferson averaged 13.3, 8.0 and 21.2ppg in the NIT. They did lose their top guard, Pierre Jackson to the NBA but have a strong recruiting class. Chaminade is the small college team whose legendary upset over #1 ranked Virginia in 1982 inspired the creation of this tournament. Last year they upset Texas by 13 before losing to Illinois by 23 and North Carolina by 42. They are like a one-shot derringer and are very unlikely to be in the finals but we could see them on the consolation side. They were 19-11 last year but lost three starters and don’t have much size. Dayton was 17-14 last year and 7-9 in the Atlantic 10. They were very young and went 3-10 in games decided by 6 points or less. Dyshawn Pierre was a 46% three point shooter. 6-4 Jordan Sibert transferred in from Ohio State and had been a highly rated recruited coming out of high school. Gonzaga is the biggest name here. Last year they were 32-3 and swept through the West Coast Conference at 16-0. They were ranked #1 in the country when the regular season ended. They lost their two big men, 7-0 Kelly Olynyk and 6-8 Elias Harris but have their even bigger back-ups, 7-1 305 Przemek Karnowski and 6-9 255 Sam Dower, both of whom played a lot last year. Their starting guards, 6-2 Kevin Pangos and 6-1 Gary Bell are back and scored 21 a game between them.
The tournament has had more glamorous line-ups before but there are a lot of good teams here and none of the games in Maui will be easy.
Tuesday, 12/3/13 7:15PM INDIANA at the Carrier Dome on ESPN
The Hoosiers were the country’s top-ranked team for much of last season, (pre-season and 9 weekly polls), and the #1 seed in our region before we shut them down in the Sweet 16, 61-50. They will be real interested in returning the favor but may not have the team to do it. They lost seven guys from last year’s team, including four starters, their top four scorers, their top three rebounders and their top 3 three point shooters. The only returnee is guard Yogi Ferrell, who had no answer for MCW in that game. Ferrell averaged 7.6ppg and 4.1apg, He’s generously listed as 6-0 178. Tom Crean did recruit well with 6-9 240 Noah Vonleh, “Indiana’s next great player” and 6-11 230 Luke Fischer, who has been compared to the departed Cody Zeller. 6-8 219 Jeremy Hollowell was praised by Crean for “embracing the work ethic that drove Victor Oladipo to greatness”.
Saturday, 12/7/13 7PM BINGHAMTON at the Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
The Bearcats are searching for some claws after going 3-27 last season. That was actually an improvement from the previous year when they were 2-29. Binghamton does have a good player in 6-4 Jordan Reed, who averaged 16.6 points and 9.5 rebounds last year and they get back their leading scorer from the juggernaut of two years ago, Robert Mansell, also 6-4, who averaged 14.0 then but was injured last year.
Sunday, 12/15/13 12PM ST. JOHN’S at Madison Square Garden on Fox Sports 1
Ah, the beginning of the Big East season. Not really. Instead St. Johns and Villanova are now blasts from the past. But they pep up the December schedule quite a bit. Steve Lavin has been trying to return the Johnnies to their former glory and has gotten past his own health problems, the death of his father and the suspension of his best player last year to continue the effort. He’s been stockpiling talent and had 92% of his scoring and 88% of his rebounding back from a team that went 17-16 and 8-10 in the Big East last year. This could be his breakthrough year and this game will be important to him and his team to tell people they have arrived. 6-9 214 Jakarr Sampson was the Big East rookie of the year last season, averaging 14.9/6.6. 6-9 240 Chris Obekpa averaged 4 blocks a game. 6-4 D’Angelo Harrison averaged 17.8ppg before his suspension. Rysheed Jordan, also 6-4 was one of the top guard recruits coming out of high school last year. Watch out for this game! I think it’s the one pre-conference game we are most likely to lose.
Friday, 12/20/13 7PM HIGH POINT at the Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
High Point is the pre-season favorite in the Big South Conference, the one that seems to give us Winthrop to fill out our brackets every year. They were 17-14 last year but like St. John’s, have everybody coming back. 6-9 Allan Chaney averaged 14.5/8.1 last year and 6-7 John Brown 16.4/6.1. They have a guard named Adam Weary who we have to be wary of because he can hit from long range. I the Panthers beat us it would be the…oh, skip it!
Saturday, 12/28/13 2PM VILLANOVA at the Carrier Dome on CBS
The Big East season ends with a visit from the Wildcats, who have experienced a dip after a great run in the last decade. Last year they were 20-14 and 10-8 in the conference. They were able to beat two Final Four teams, national champions Louisville and the ‘Cuse in consecutive games. It was a young team so a breakthrough is expected this year. They get back 5 of their top 6 players and picked up transfer Dylan Ennis, who was all CUSA for Rice where he set a school record for assists. Dylan is Tyler’s older brother. He broke a bone in his shooting hand last month but will probably be back for this game. 6-7 240 JayVaughn Pinkston is the leading returning scorer at 13.3. Jay Wright’s teams have always given us a lot of trouble and he’d love to give us some more.
Tuesday, 12/31/13 3PM EASTEN MICHIGAN at the Carrier Dome on ESPNU
Former SU assistant Rob Murphy brings his team to the Dome again. We beat him 84-48 each of the least two years. Can we make it 3 in a row? Last year the Eagles were 16-18 but were known for playing tough defense, especially on the perimeter, (29.9%). Former SU player DeShonte Riley, (7-0, 233), averaged 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. I used to think he’d be a big-time player for us. He’ll have company inside with 6-10 245 Nigerian Lekan Ajayi.
I could see us losing in Maui but probably not more than one game. I can also see us winning the tournament again as I think we’ll be the best team in it. Seeing Indiana on the schedule a year after we ended their season is concerning but they are rebuilding. Both St. John’s and Villanova may be better than they are. I expect we will lose at least one non-conference game this year but Syracuse is usually tough to beat this time of year. It’s certainly the best early season schedule we’ve ever had.
Everybody’s talking about how strong the new conference will be but we were already in a strong conference. What really makes this schedule challenging is the non-conference schedule, easily the toughest we’ve ever had. SU fans are used to their team breezing into the conference slate with records like 13-0 or 12-1. We had an amazing stretch from 2008-12 where we won 52 consecutive non-conference regular season games. This year will be a much bigger challenge and the non-conference schedule includes games with Villanova and St. John’s that used to be Big East games, (we are trying to maintain some old rivalries), a rematch with Indiana, who we knocked off as the #1 seed in the Sweet 16 last year and a trip to Maui to play some more good teams. It will be more exciting than in the past but a rockier road at the same time. These summaries are based primarily on what I read in Athlon’s and Lindy’s pore-season magazines.
Friday, 11/8/13 CORNELL at the Carrier Dome
This game has already been played. It wasn’t supposed to be close and it didn’t wound up being close. But it was. Cornell was 13-18 last year and their best player was out with an injury. But they played well on both ends in the first half. Nolan Cressler, a 6-4 guard, went off from the arc for 20 first half points. We couldn’t seem to get out of our own way on the other end and when we did the Big Red was in the way. Syracuse was actually behind 22-36 with 4:17 left in the half. They rallied down the stretch to make it 32-38 at the half. In the second half we came out with much more defensive intensity and better focus on the offensive end and outscored them, 48-22. For a game that disappointed much of the way it wound up being encouraging because we needed to figure out how to beat a team that was playing very well and players we had serious questions about led the way. Trevor Cooney was hero of the game, hitting 10 of 12 shots and 7 of 8 three pointers for 27 points. Michael Gbinije looked like the player we thought we were getting and Rakeem Christmas was dominant underneath in the second half.
Tuesday, 11/5/13 7:30PM FORDHAM at the Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
The Rams are trying to grow back their horns after some down years at the bottom of the Atlantic 10 Last year they were a 7-24 team. But they made a big splash in recruiting New York’s player of the year a 6-3 guard named Jon Severe, who hit for 28 points, including 7 for 10 from three point range in an opening 20 point win over St. Francis of Pennsylvania. Like a lot of our early opponents, they are a guard-oriented team that could get hot against our zone but will be unable to deal with our size underneath.
Saturday, 11/16/2013 4:30PM COLGATE at the Carrier Dome on ACC Regional Network
Where were you in ’62? Well, on February 24, 1962, Colgate beat Syracuse 67-63. They haven’t done it since. We’ve won 47 games in a row against the Red Raiders. We only beat them by 36 last year. The year before it was 45 and the year before that 57, so the trend is in Colgate’s favor. Their star is Murphy Burnatowski, a 6-7 forward who averaged 17.4ppg last year. Their backcourt is actually bigger than ours, (6-5, 6-4). Their frontcourt is not. They gave Wake Forest fits in their opener, leading by 8 in the second half, before losing by 11. This figures to be closer than we are used to with this team, but with the same result.
MAUI INVITATIONAL
Monday, 11/18/2013 7:30PM ST FRANCIS of BROOKLYN at Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
This is technically part of the Maui tournament but will be played in the Dome. Apparently, Syracuse will not have to win this game to move on to the quarterfinals in Hawaii. The mainland teams, who represent all the major conferences, play someone like St. Francis in the first round at home and the opponents in those games then meet in a tournament of their own held on the mainland. The Terriers were 12-18 last year but have a good inside-outside combination in Jalen Cannon, 6-6, 220, who averaged 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds last year and Ben Mockford, a 6-2 guard who averaged 11.1.
Monday 11/25/13 5:30PM MINNESOTA at Lahaina Civic Center on ESPN or ESPN2
This will be our first game against a power-conference team and it could be a tough one. . The Golden Gophers were 21-13 last year and 8-10 in the Big Ten. They have a coach with a familiar name: 31 year old Richard Pitino, Rick’s son, who debuted at Florida International last year, going 19-14. That would not normally have been enough to get him the Minnesota job but for that last name. But if he can coach like his father, any team he coaches will be a formidable opponent. Ironically, he’s replacing Tubby Smith, who had replaced his father at Kentucky. Richard had been an assistant under another Pitino disciple, Billy Donovan at Florida. So expect an aggressive, pressing defense and an offense that rains three pointers. Minnesota lost three starters and lacks front-experience and depth court depth. But they have the Hollins non-brothers, 6-1 Andre, who averaged 14.6 and 3.4 assists and 6-4 Austin, 10.7.2.6 and 6-2 Malik Smith who followed Pitino from FIU and averaged 14.7 there with 96 treys. He can play immediately. If we beat Minnesota we move on the semi-finals, below. If not we will be in a four team playoff to determine 5th place with three other teams covered in the next two sections.
Tuesday 11/26/13 at 2PM or 7PM ARKANSAS or CALIFORNIA at Lahiana Civic Center on ESPN or ESPN2
We beat both these teams last year. We topped the Razorbacks on 11/30 in their place, 91-82 and James Southerland had his career game with 35 points and a school record 9 three pointers. Then we beat the Golden Bears in the Big Dance, holding on for a 66-60 win after having a 12-14 point lead for most of the second half. Either team will want some pay-back. Arkansas was 19-13 and 10-8 in the SEC last year. Two guys jumped to the NBA and a third transferred so Coach Mike Anderson will be playing some new guys. Bobby Portis, a 6-9 225 forward was a McDonald’s All American Moses Kingsley, 6-9 210 was a Top 100 guy and 6-6 230 Alandise Harris, a Houston transfer will help with “his rugged presence and muscle”. They have a veteran backcourt but shot a disappointing 33% from three point range last year, usual an Arkansas staple. The Golden Bears were 21-12 and 12-6 in the Pac 10 last year. Mike Montgomery last leading scorer Alan Crabbe, who jumped to the NBA but has 6-3 Justin Cobbs who averaged 15.1 and top recruit Jabari Bird, a 6-6 guard, another Mickey Dees. He also has 6-10 235 Richard Solomon, who burned us for 22 points and 14 rebounds in the NCAA loss. If we beat either of these teams, we will be in the title game, which we won over Indian the other two times we have been in their tournament, (1991 and 1999). If not we will be in a consolation game against one of the four teams covered for the final, below.
Wednesday 11/27/13 TBA BAYLOR, CHAMINADE, DAYTON or GONZAGA at Lahiana Civic Center on ESPN or ESPN2
If we make it to the finals, we’ll be playing one of the above teams. It will be interesting to see if Baylor’s basketball scoring average equals their football average. But the Bears can play roundball, too. Last year they were 23-14 and 9-9 in the Big 12. They won the post season NIT. They had two big men, 7-1 225 Isaiah Austin and 6-9 220 Corey Jefferson who flirted with the NBA but decided to stay for another year. Austin averaged 13.0ppg, 8.3rpg with 58 blocks. Jefferson averaged 13.3, 8.0 and 21.2ppg in the NIT. They did lose their top guard, Pierre Jackson to the NBA but have a strong recruiting class. Chaminade is the small college team whose legendary upset over #1 ranked Virginia in 1982 inspired the creation of this tournament. Last year they upset Texas by 13 before losing to Illinois by 23 and North Carolina by 42. They are like a one-shot derringer and are very unlikely to be in the finals but we could see them on the consolation side. They were 19-11 last year but lost three starters and don’t have much size. Dayton was 17-14 last year and 7-9 in the Atlantic 10. They were very young and went 3-10 in games decided by 6 points or less. Dyshawn Pierre was a 46% three point shooter. 6-4 Jordan Sibert transferred in from Ohio State and had been a highly rated recruited coming out of high school. Gonzaga is the biggest name here. Last year they were 32-3 and swept through the West Coast Conference at 16-0. They were ranked #1 in the country when the regular season ended. They lost their two big men, 7-0 Kelly Olynyk and 6-8 Elias Harris but have their even bigger back-ups, 7-1 305 Przemek Karnowski and 6-9 255 Sam Dower, both of whom played a lot last year. Their starting guards, 6-2 Kevin Pangos and 6-1 Gary Bell are back and scored 21 a game between them.
The tournament has had more glamorous line-ups before but there are a lot of good teams here and none of the games in Maui will be easy.
Tuesday, 12/3/13 7:15PM INDIANA at the Carrier Dome on ESPN
The Hoosiers were the country’s top-ranked team for much of last season, (pre-season and 9 weekly polls), and the #1 seed in our region before we shut them down in the Sweet 16, 61-50. They will be real interested in returning the favor but may not have the team to do it. They lost seven guys from last year’s team, including four starters, their top four scorers, their top three rebounders and their top 3 three point shooters. The only returnee is guard Yogi Ferrell, who had no answer for MCW in that game. Ferrell averaged 7.6ppg and 4.1apg, He’s generously listed as 6-0 178. Tom Crean did recruit well with 6-9 240 Noah Vonleh, “Indiana’s next great player” and 6-11 230 Luke Fischer, who has been compared to the departed Cody Zeller. 6-8 219 Jeremy Hollowell was praised by Crean for “embracing the work ethic that drove Victor Oladipo to greatness”.
Saturday, 12/7/13 7PM BINGHAMTON at the Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
The Bearcats are searching for some claws after going 3-27 last season. That was actually an improvement from the previous year when they were 2-29. Binghamton does have a good player in 6-4 Jordan Reed, who averaged 16.6 points and 9.5 rebounds last year and they get back their leading scorer from the juggernaut of two years ago, Robert Mansell, also 6-4, who averaged 14.0 then but was injured last year.
Sunday, 12/15/13 12PM ST. JOHN’S at Madison Square Garden on Fox Sports 1
Ah, the beginning of the Big East season. Not really. Instead St. Johns and Villanova are now blasts from the past. But they pep up the December schedule quite a bit. Steve Lavin has been trying to return the Johnnies to their former glory and has gotten past his own health problems, the death of his father and the suspension of his best player last year to continue the effort. He’s been stockpiling talent and had 92% of his scoring and 88% of his rebounding back from a team that went 17-16 and 8-10 in the Big East last year. This could be his breakthrough year and this game will be important to him and his team to tell people they have arrived. 6-9 214 Jakarr Sampson was the Big East rookie of the year last season, averaging 14.9/6.6. 6-9 240 Chris Obekpa averaged 4 blocks a game. 6-4 D’Angelo Harrison averaged 17.8ppg before his suspension. Rysheed Jordan, also 6-4 was one of the top guard recruits coming out of high school last year. Watch out for this game! I think it’s the one pre-conference game we are most likely to lose.
Friday, 12/20/13 7PM HIGH POINT at the Carrier Dome on ESPN 3
High Point is the pre-season favorite in the Big South Conference, the one that seems to give us Winthrop to fill out our brackets every year. They were 17-14 last year but like St. John’s, have everybody coming back. 6-9 Allan Chaney averaged 14.5/8.1 last year and 6-7 John Brown 16.4/6.1. They have a guard named Adam Weary who we have to be wary of because he can hit from long range. I the Panthers beat us it would be the…oh, skip it!
Saturday, 12/28/13 2PM VILLANOVA at the Carrier Dome on CBS
The Big East season ends with a visit from the Wildcats, who have experienced a dip after a great run in the last decade. Last year they were 20-14 and 10-8 in the conference. They were able to beat two Final Four teams, national champions Louisville and the ‘Cuse in consecutive games. It was a young team so a breakthrough is expected this year. They get back 5 of their top 6 players and picked up transfer Dylan Ennis, who was all CUSA for Rice where he set a school record for assists. Dylan is Tyler’s older brother. He broke a bone in his shooting hand last month but will probably be back for this game. 6-7 240 JayVaughn Pinkston is the leading returning scorer at 13.3. Jay Wright’s teams have always given us a lot of trouble and he’d love to give us some more.
Tuesday, 12/31/13 3PM EASTEN MICHIGAN at the Carrier Dome on ESPNU
Former SU assistant Rob Murphy brings his team to the Dome again. We beat him 84-48 each of the least two years. Can we make it 3 in a row? Last year the Eagles were 16-18 but were known for playing tough defense, especially on the perimeter, (29.9%). Former SU player DeShonte Riley, (7-0, 233), averaged 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. I used to think he’d be a big-time player for us. He’ll have company inside with 6-10 245 Nigerian Lekan Ajayi.
I could see us losing in Maui but probably not more than one game. I can also see us winning the tournament again as I think we’ll be the best team in it. Seeing Indiana on the schedule a year after we ended their season is concerning but they are rebuilding. Both St. John’s and Villanova may be better than they are. I expect we will lose at least one non-conference game this year but Syracuse is usually tough to beat this time of year. It’s certainly the best early season schedule we’ve ever had.