NBA Draft Prospects: Wesley Johnson, Syracuse

Click here to find all of our 2010 NBA Draft prospect breakdowns.

Stats: 16.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.8 bpg, 41.5% 3PT

Listed Size: 6'7", 195 lb, 22 years old


About Him: When talking about Wes Johnson, the first thing that is always going to come up is his athletic profile and physical tools. Simply put, the guy is a freak. Standing over 6'7" in shoes, Johnson has the mobility of someone six inches shorter. He is not only blessed with a 37" max vertical, but with outstanding body control and coordination in the air. Combine all that with his 7'1" wingspan, and Johnson becomes a threat is so many different aspects of the game.

Johnson as fast as anyone in the draft (his 3/4 sprint time was tied for second with Avery Bradley and John Wall), and proved with the Orange this year that he can really get out and run the floor. He is a terrific finisher in transition, putting down countless alley-oops on the break. He created a lot of those opportunities himself, as he used his length and athleticism to average nearly two steals and two blocks per game. (When talking about Johnson's numbers, keep in mind that for about a month midway through Big East play, when Syracuse had a firm lead in the league standings, that Johnson battled through leg and hand injuries that limited his production.)

While it is at times difficult to judge Johnson as a one-on-one defender at the next level -- Syracuse playing a zone and all -- everything previously mentioned in this write-up should lead one to believe he'll be able to hold his own.

The biggest problem with Johnson as a prospect is that he doesn't project as a superstar or as a go-to player. It's not a secret that Syracuse's flaw last season was that they lacked a closer, a Kobe that they could give the ball to when they needed a bucket. As good as Johnson is, his biggest problem is that he is not great at creating his own shot. He's not a terribly good ball handler and he doesn't exactly change direction well. When he was able to put the ball on the floor and create, it was because he had a quick enough first step to beat his man.

That's not to say Johnson isn't capable in the half court. He's an excellent three-point shooter, and while he only took just over three a game, he showed off some range, some ability to catch-and-shoot on the move, and a pretty decent mid range game. He is also a good offensive rebounder, works well moving without the ball, and will be able to dunk on people in the league as well.

Perhaps the thing I like the most about Johnson is that he seems to understand his limitations. He shot over 50% from the field and he didn't turn the ball over all that much, just over two per game. While some of that is likely a result of the balance on the Syracuse roster, Johnson never seemed to force the issue at Syracuse.

Comparison:

• Best Case Scenario: The Shawn Marion comparison is obvious and pretty accurate (although I think Johnson is actually more skilled than Marion), but I did see one site that likened him to Alex English. Gerald Wallace with a better jump shot is another comparison I like.
  
• Worst Case Scenario: Draft Express says Travis Outlaw, and I guess that works. I also like Nick Batum, albeit a better shooter.
  

Outlook: I don't think Wes Johnson is ever going to be the feature player on an NBA team. He's not the kind of offensive talent that can be a No. 1 option. That said, there is so much that Johnson can contribute on both ends of the floor. He's as athletic as they come, and is fantastic at using his athleticism and length to make plays, be it a dunk, a steal, a block, a rebound, etc. He's not a complete loss offensively, either, as he can stretch a defense and will, no doubt, improve at creating his own shot. I expect Johnson to be a solid contributor in the NBA for many years, with an outside chance at making a couple all-star teams.

Highlights:








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POSTERIZED: Wes Johnson is a bad, bad man

Wes Johnson is a specimen. He's 6'7", he's got long arms, and he's an athletic freak. Essentially, he was designed to be a basketball player.

Apparently, Mike Stovall didn't get the memo.



DON'T JUMP MIKE!!!!!

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Droppin' Dimes: Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician

Droppin' Dimes is a new feature we are trying out at BIAH this year. A couple of times a week, we are going to catch up with the bloggers behind the best team-specific sites on the web. If the internet really is becoming the new newspaper, then the writers at these sites are the de facto beat writers. They know their teams inside and out, and hopefully will provide you (and us) with some detailed insights. If you would like to recommend a site or pose a question for a certain team, you can reach us at contactbiah@gmail.com or @ballinisahabit.

In this edition of Droppin' Dimes, we catch up with Sean Keeley of Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician, an all-inclusive Syracuse sports blog. Keeley answers our questions about Kris Joseph, the Syracuse zone, and Arinze Onuaku's free throw percentage.


1. The Orange stormed through MSG last week, thoroughly beating two ranked teams in Cal and UNC. Is this now the team to beat in the Big East?

On paper, absolutely. What Big East team has accomplished more against better opponents? Now, we're barely into December and not everyone has had the opportunity to showcase themselves properly. That said, the Orange have clearly gone from being the 6th or 7th best team in the conference to among the top three. And given that we're seeing great things out of West Virginia, Villanova, Louisville, UConn and others, the Big East is shaping up to once again be a fantastic conference.

2. Syracuse's zone was great at creating points off of turnovers and forcing UNC and Cal out of their offensive sets. But the Heels and the Bears are both dealing with personnel issues - youth, depth, injuries, inexperience. Cornell, an experienced group that has won back-to-back Ivy titles, seemed to have much better success navigating that zone and finding open shooters, especially in the first half. Is that a sign that this Orange zone can be beaten, or was it a result of lackadaisical defense being played?

The zone can always be beaten. I think back to the many times Notre Dame shredded the zone with it's outside shooting. Or the way Pitt would manhandle us down low. That said, this is a better defensive team that we've seen in a while wearing orange. Say what you will about the offensive prowess but these guys are locking down on D. Credit the fact that, despite all of the players who left, there's a lot of experience on the court. Rautins, Onuaku, Jackson and Scoop are old hat at this while Wes Johnson and Brandon Triche are filling in nicely.

Wes Johnson's length is a big reason the Syracuse zone is so effective.
(photo credit: SUAthletics)

The true test of this SU defense will be when they eventually do go up against a team that's red hot from outside. If they can hold one and withstand that, then we're talking about something special.


3. The Orange always seem to have about two or three guys that can be impact contributors but never see the floor - Jones and Southerland come to mind this year. Does Boeheim lack confidence in these guys? Are they ready to contribute? Or does Boeheim just prefer a shorter rotation with this group?

Well Mookie Jones had an interesting week in that regard. He sulked and walked off the bench during the Cornell game, later taking to his Facebook page to say that he's frustrated with his lack of playing time. He got what he wanted the next two games thanks to inferior opponents and has proven that he has a great shot...but also has a long way to go on defense.

Mookie Jones has seen inconsistent minutes this year.
(photo credit: Syracuse.com)

Boeheim is a little loose with the rotation in November and December but eventually he always tightens it into a 7-8 man rotation that leaves somebody out. Mookie and Southerland can look at it two ways...they can be frustrated about not playing or they can look to the fact that they will be called on in a big way next year and this experience is only going to make them better.

As for whether or not Boeheim lacks confidence in them...Boeheim's just being Boeheim. He's tough on young players and likes to break them down in order to build them back up. Some guys react well, some don't. We'll see how they do.


4. It seems to me that the x-factor on this team is going to be Kris Joseph. He is versatile and athletic, and will create a mismatch on the offensive end of the floor. If he can be a scorer and a defensive play maker off the bench, it makes the Cuse a real Final Four threat. The question then becomes is he capable of filling that role?

Great point. Wes Johnson gets all the highlights, Andy Rautins is the leader, Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson are the notable big men and the Scoop/Triche point guard hybrid make for an interesting situation. But then there's Kris Joseph, lurking in the background, quietly putting together a solid season (9 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, 1.7 spg). He's a special player who's time will come, he'll likely be the go-to guy by the time he's a senior. In the meantime, he's a steady role player who helps weather any storm when one of the top guys isn't performing.


5. Brandon Triche or Scoop Jardine?

Seems to depend on the night. Triche seems to want to prove himself not only as a point guard but as a shooter and that doesn't always work. Scoop has developed immensely since his freshman year and all of a sudden he's become a dependable asset up top. Neither of them are Jonny Flynn but given time, Triche could develop into a top point guard among the many great ones SU has had. As far as I can tell, the two-headed monster is working fine so Boeheim will continue to play them as they warrant it.


Bonus: Over-under on Arinze Onuaku's free throw percentage by the end of the year.

Well let's see...he was an unbelievably atrocious .298 last season. Giving him the benefit of the doubt that he's improving...slightly...I'm gonna go with an even .333. Believe me when I say if AO is hitting one out of every three free throws, SU fans will take it at this point.
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Tuesday's Shootaround: Boeheim wins 800th, Turner's triple-double, and ranked teams win ugly

Ohio State 100, Alcorn State 60: Of the four ranked teams to play last night, the Buckeyes were the only guys that looked crisp, especially on the offensive end. I think it is safe to say that the Evan-Turner-at-the-point experiment has started out pretty well for Thad Matta. Turner did nothing to quell the rumblings that he is the best all-around player in the country, as he turned in just the second triple double in Ohio State history, going for 14 points, 17 boards (6 offensive), 10 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. When this guy adds a consistent three point jumper, he is going to be scary good (as if to say he isn't already).

Evan Turner posted the second triple-double in OSU history.
(photo credit: cleveland.com)

Part of what makes Turner so dangerous is his ability to rebound the ball on the defensive end. Since he runs the point as well, Turner is able to get out and lead the break without using an outlet pass. While this will sometimes slow down the Buckeyes if Turner grabs a rebound in traffic, he showed excellent vision down court, hitting a couple guys on long passes in transition for easy lay-ups.

There were a couple of other very good signs for the Buckeyes. First off, David Lighty, the athletic, 6'5" swingman who is coming off of a broken foot which ended his season in December last year, looked like he was ready to play. He finished with just 8 points in 22 minutes, but he also had 8 assists, threw down a nice dunk in traffic, and all-in-all looked explosive putting the ball on the floor.

Then there was Jon Diebler and William Buford. Everyone knew coming in that Diebler was a shooter, and he showed it, knocking down six threes en route to 22 points. But Buford is a guy that had question marks regarding his ability to consistently shoot it from deep. He's excellent at reading screens offensively and scoring in the mid-range game, but he didn't show consistent range last season. Last night he was 3-7 from deep, and scored 19 points. With Buford and Diebler hitting threes on the wings, it opens up that much more space for Turner to create.

Three last notes: Jeremie Simmons, the Buckeyes back-up PG, looked solid, scoring 12 points on 5-8 shooting, hitting 2 threes, and not turning the ball over. The Buckeyes need Dallas Lauderdale to get healthy. Their three bigs combined to go for 14 points, 10 boards, and 1 block in 48 combined minutes. Club Trillion author Mark Titus played three minutes, grabbing a single rebound.


North Carolina 88, Florida International 72: The Tar Heels handily beat FIU in Isiah Thomas's debut as a college coach, jumping out to an early double digit lead and never looking back. But don't be fooled by the score - the Tar Heels did not look impressive.

For starters, the Panthers simply out worked the Tar Heels. Their scrappy brand of defense forced 26 UNC turnovers and allowed them to keep the game at least moderately interesting in the second half. UNC won because of their size advantage. The Panthers had no answer for Deon Thompson or Ed Davis inside, who combined to go for 33 points, 21 boards, 4 blocks, and 4 steals as both notched double-doubles.

Loved the throwback jerseys UNC wore last night.
(photo credit: Charlotte Observer)

One positive sign for UNC is that Larry Drew II looked like he could be an adequate replacement for Ty Lawson. Much quicker than I remembered him being, Drew II pushed the ball up the floor and had a couple really pretty passes in transition. There were a couple instances where he was forced to pick up his dribble in a bad spot, and he also did over-dribble a few times, but all-in-all it was a positive start for Drew.

The same can't be said for the UNC freshmen. None played more than 12 minutes, and not one looked overly impressive in their time on the floor. Dexter Strickland had five turnovers and four fouls in 11 minutes. Leslie McDonald was 1-4 from the floor and looked lost offensively. The Wear twins played hard and look like they can provide quality effort defensively and on the glass, but don't look like impact players at this point. John Henson looked promising because of his length, but he really needs to add weight to his frame and skills to his tools, so to speak. His only two baskets were on dunks, and given his size and athleticism, he really didn't do much to fill the stat sheet like you would expect.

One nice aspect to this game was the play of Marcus Ginyard and Will Graves on the wing. Despite a slow release, Ginyard knocked down a few threes (which no one on UNC can really do) looked healthy (he had a dunk in the first half where he really got up). Graves didn't impress offensively, but played strong defense, grabbed some rebounds, and didn't turn the ball over.

The bottom line is this: UNC is far from a finished product, but that should be expected. Every single player on this team is UNC team has an expanded role compared to last season. There are a number of newcomers, and three returners that missed most or all of last season due to injuries or suspension. There are a lot of parts here that need to learn how to play with and off of each other. This is not a top 10 basketball team right now, but don't be surprised if the Heels gel and make some noise at the end of the season.


Syracuse 75, Albany 43: The Orange were absolutely dominant on the defensive end against Albany as Jim Boeheim joined the ranks of the 800 win club. They forced 32 Great Dane turnovers and held them to just 27.3% shooting from the floor. As expected, Wesley Johnson is an absolute terror on the defensive end. While his scoring numbers weren't quite up to expectations, Johnson played a great floor game and showed how valuable of a player he can be - 12 points, 8 boards, 6 steals, and 4 assists. Shawn Marion, anyone?

Jim Boeheim won his 800th game last night.
(photo credit: Syracuse Post-Standard)

Sophomore Kris Joseph, another tall and long combo forward, looked excellent as well. Playing 27 minutes off the bench, Joseph went for 12 points, 5 boards, and 2 steals. If Joseph plays with energy this season, especially on the defesive end, it will allow Jim Boeheim to go with two very different looks. He can play Rick Jackson and Arizne Onuaku together, going big on the inside, or he can have Joseph and Johnson playing the wings on the backline of the Orange's 2-3 zone. The length and athleticism that those two give Syracuse will make it so difficult for opposing zones to shoot over and pass through the zone.

More on Onuaku and Jackson - they looked very good on the interior, albeit against a much smaller Great Dane front line. They combined to go 10-11 from the floor and really carried the Orange offense in the early going. Boeheim is going to need those two to be consistent inside this year. Onuaku still looks troubled at the line, going 2-5 with an airball.

The biggest issue for the Orange was on the offensive end, especially in transition. I can't tell you how many times Syracuse blew a golden opportunity for a easy basket by turning the ball over on a break (if I had to guess, I would put the number at eight). Point guard play is going to be an issue all season long. Freshman Brandon Triche did not impress. He seemed to be forcing the issue, as he tried pinpoint passes that all-to-often did not reach their intended target. He had six turnovers and just three assists. Scoop Jardine looked much better. He was 5-7 from the floor had four assists and just one turnover, and seemed to be playing at a much more comfortable and controlled pace. Far from the dynamic play maker of a Jonny Flynn, Jardine (and Triche) won't be asked to do that. As long as they can lead a break, run an offense, score when the opportunity presents itself, and get guys like Johnson, Onuaku, and Jackson the ball where they can be dangerous without turning the ball over, the Cuse will be alright. Jardine did that much better than Triche last night.

Andy Rautins struggled offensively last night, but he is too good of a shooter for his stroke not to come around. More importantly, he looked to be more of a complete player this year. He was active on the defensive end, had a couple nice passes, and rebounded the ball (5 boards, 5 dimes, 4 steals). When his jumper is on, hopefully he will still remain a complete player. Of note, he did roll an ankle early in the second half.

All told, Syracuse looked to be in much the same position as UNC. With a number of new players and guys in new and expanded roles, its only fitting that the Orange looked a bit tentative and, well, bad offensively. But as long as they keep playing defense, the offense will come around. Syracuse fans shouldn't be too worried about this performance (or the Le Moyne loss).


Cal 75, Murray State 70: The Bears played by far the toughest opponent last night in a game Murray State team. But given the expectations put on Cal this year, this was not the performance you like to see from a team predicted to win the Pac 10.

Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher looked out of sync all game long. Randle especially, who just never seemed to find a rhythm offensively. But those two are going to have to learn to play against defenses keyed on slowing them down. They aren't going to sneak up on anyone this year. Both Randle and Christopher are expected to be all-Pac 10 players, and with those expectations come the focus of an opponent's defensive scheme.

Patrick Christopher and Cal were disappointing in their debut.
(photo credit: WaPo)

The key may end up being the development of Jamal Boykin and Markuri Sanders-Frison as scoring threats up front. What Cal really likes to do offensively is run a high screen for Randle with one of the bigs. As the big guy rolled to the rim, Theo Robertson would curl back to the top of the key with Christopher would spot up in the same side corner. Last night, the Racers were doubling that screen, forcing Randle to go wide off of it and get rid of the ball. What would eventually happen, then, is that the ball would end up in the hands of a Robertson or Jorge Gutierrez, neither of whom are the kind of play maker that Randle or Christopher is.

To be fair, Boykin was active most of the game, and grabbed a couple of offensive boards, getting easy putbacks. Sanders-Frison had a couple nice post moves as well. If he can become a legitimate scoring threat with his back to the basket, it will add a nice dimension to their team. 7'3" Max Zhang played five first half minutes, but didn't grab a board. He still may not be ready to compete at this level.

But that wasn't the biggest problem that the Bears faced. The Racers were able to hit threes, score in transition, and most importantly compete on the offensive glass. Until Cal proves that they can be a good rebounding and defensive team, you have to consider Washington to be the favorite out west.

Overall, Cal just looked complacent tonight. They came out of the gates flat, and after building an 18 point second half lead, they allowed the Racers to claw their way back in it, making this a two possession game down the stretch. Playing as the favorite is different than playing as the underdog. Cal seems like they may have bought into their hype. Hopefully, this was a wake-up call for them.
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Small Forwards

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 9th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured the best way to finish up our 2008-2009 season previews is to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am not putting the freshman in the list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment until I see them play. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Here are the point guards.
Here are the shooting guards.
These are the small forwards.

Best Freshman

• Jordan Hamilton, Texas
• Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, UConn
• Noel Johnson, Clemson
  

Best of the Rest

• Tasmin Mitchell, LSU
• Edwin Ubiles, Siena
• Quincy Pondexter, Washington
• Patrick Christopher, Cal
• Klay Thompson, Washington State
• Marcus Ginyard, UNC
• Wesley Witherspoon, Memphis
  

Top 10

• 10. Raymar Morgan, Michigan State: As a junior, Raymar Morgan battled mono all season, and thus had the least productive year of his career. Morgan has great size and strength for a wing, which is only complemented by his athleticism. He is still a bit of an enigma offensively. He is not a great shooter and looks out of control at times when he penetrates, but he is excellent around the rim, whether it is off of a drive, a break, a post-up, or an offensive rebound. With a disappointing season culminating in a loss in the title game, expect Morgan to come out hungry this year.
  


• 9. Chris Wright, Dayton: Wright, who has earned the nickname "Top Flyght", may be the best athlete in the country. At 6'8" with a near-40" vertical, he soars around the rim. The problem is, he is still very much just a dunker and a rebounder. To his credit, however, the rest of his game has been coming along. Wright has a decent mid-range game and has improved his handle to the point that he can get to the rim from the wing. Where Wright excels, however, is his ability to make plays defensively, on the offensive glass, and in transition. A potential A-10 player of the year, Wright will be one of the most exciting players in the country to watch.
  

You'll see a lot of this out of Chris Wright this year.
(photo credit: Dayton.edu)

• 8. Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia: Butler is one of the best kept secrets in the country, and will be the most important player for a West Virginia team with Final Four aspirations. With Alex Ruoff graduating, Butler is really the lone offensive threat on the Mountaineers. And he is quite a threat, averaging 17.1 ppg last season. Butler's offensive game starts with his shooting ability, where he is very dangerous when he has a chance to get his feet set and his shoulders squared. He's not an overwhelming athlete, but he is long and strong. At 6'7", he is a good finisher around the rim and has a decent post game. If he can improve his ability to create his own shot using the dribble, he will likely be a first team all-conference selection.
  


• 7. Tyler Smith, Tennessee: Smith is one of the most versatile players in the country. He is built like a power forward, but he has the skills and athletic ability of a small forward. Smith is at his best when he is attacking the basket. Not only is he an excellent passer (and probably the best creator on the Vols), but he can get to the rim and finish or draw a foul. A capable shooter, the key for Smith is to avoid falling in love with the three-ball.
  


• 6. Robbie Hummel, Purdue: Hummel had a disappointing sophomore season as he spent the year battling a painful stress fracture in his spine. Now that he is back healthy, expect Hummel to return to his freshman year form. Hummel is first and foremost a shooter, as he knocked down 45% of his threes in his injury-free freshman season. Hummel is also excellent moving without the ball, whether it is coming off of a screen or cutting to the basket. He does struggle a bit when he is forced to put the ball on the floor, but given the system that Purdue runs, Hummel will not be asked to drive to the basket all that often.
  


• 5. Wesley Johnson, Syracuse: Johnson is still a bit of an enigma at this point in his career. He had an outstanding freshman season for Iowa State, but transferred after an injury plagued sophomore year. He sat out this past season, but given his tools and his skill set, Johnson should fit in perfectly with the Orange. Johnson is a long, 6'7", athletic wing. His offensive game is based on his outside shot, but his athletic ability makes him dangerous in the passing lanes and on the glass. He has drawn quite a few comparisons to Shawn Marion, which is a fair assessment. If he stays healthy this season, Johnson will be one of the best scorers in the Big East.
  

Wesley Johnson shouldn't sneak up on anyone this season.
(photo credit: syracuse.com)

• 4. Manny Harris, Michigan: Out of everyone on this list, Harris is the only guy that could be considered a two guard. But given his ability to affect the game in a multitude of ways, I decided to slide him over to the three. Harris is first and foremost a scorer. A slender 6'5", he uses a quick first step and long strides to get to the rim. Harris is a natural scorer, meaning he just seems to know how to get buckets, but it really is just a nice way of saying "the kid relies too much on athleticism, and not enough on advanced skill, to score." That's true for Harris. He is still a bit toolsy. If he can improve his jumper and his handle, he has the ability to average 20. One place where Harris made significant strides last season, and hopefully will continue to make strides this season, is his efficiency. He forced some shots and some passes last season, but as he continues to get more comfortable in his third season playing for John Beilein, that should become less of an issue.
  


• 3. Kyle Singler, Duke: With Duke lacking in perimeter players and deep in the front court (especially when it comes to perimeter oriented fours), Singler is moving to the three spot this season. What makes Singler so good is that there really isn't anything that he can't do on a basketball court. If a smaller guy is guarding him, he can score in the post. If a bigger guy is, he can step out to the perimeter and knock down a jumper or put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He can rebound. He can pass. He can defend. He hustles. Add to that the combination of Singler being immensley talented and 6'8", 230 lb, and what you get is one of the best players in the country.
  


• 2. Gordon Hayward, Butler: Just a sophomore, Hayward doesn't get the recognition he deserves nationally as he is a huge reason the Butler Bulldogs will be in and around the top ten this season. Hayward's game starts with his jump shot, which is as pure as it gets. Standing 6'8", there aren't many people that Hayward can't shoot over. He also proved to be adept at slashing to the basket last season. Not blessed with greeat athleticism, Hayward is able to penetrate from perimeter due to his craftiness - he knows how to get a defender off balance using an array of fakes, jabs, and hesitation moves.
  

Evan Turner is such a well-rounded player.
(photo credit: SI)

• 1. Evan Turner, Ohio State: Turner may be the most complete player in the country - he was one of two guys to average 17 ppg, 7 rpg, and 4 apg last season. Standing 6'7", Turner is going to play a point forward role this season for the Buckeyes. Why? Because he is such a good play maker and passer. He isn't the greatest athlete in the world, but he is smart and fundamental, especially with the ball in his hands. He makes good decisions - shooting when he's open, passing when he's not - and rarely forces the issue. If improved his stroke from the perimeter (he shot 44% from deep last year, but only attempted 25 threes) over the summer, Turner will be near unstoppable.
  

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Syracuse is upset by LeMoyne in an exhibition game

This is not the ideal start to a season for the Orange.

Playing against crosstown "rival", the Orange were upset 82-79 by the LeMoyne Dolphins.

The DII LeMoyne Dolphins.

Like I said, not an ideal way to kick off the season. The Orange were down by five with under a minute to play, but a Wesley Johnson three with 17 seconds left gave the Orange a 79-78 lead. But the Dolphins responded as Christopher Johnson buried a triple with 8 seconds left for the win.

This picture says it all.
(photo credit: The Dagger)

This has happened before. Michigan State, then the No. 8 team in the country, lost in double overtime to Grand Valley State 85-82. Ohio State was also knocked off by Findlay 70-68 that year. Both GVSU and Findlay are DII programs.

This isn't a good sign for the Orange. Michigan State was blown out by Memphis in the second round of the tournament that season, while Ohio State went to the NIT.

If the Orange faithful are to take anything out of this, its that Wesley Johnson looks primed to live up to the hype. He went for 34, but missed a three that would have tied it at the end of regulation.

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2009-2010 Team Preview: Syracuse Orange

This preview is brought to you by Just Blaze, loyal reader and our resident Orange fan.

2008-09 Record: 28-10, 11-7 Big East (6th)

Key Losses: Johnny Flynn (17.4ppg 6.7apg), Eric Devendorf (15.7ppg 3.0apg), Paul Harris (12ppg 8.1rpg), Kristoff Ongenaet (3.1ppg 4.8rpg)

Key Returners: Arinze Onuaku (10.3ppg 7.3rpg), Andy Rautins (10.5ppg 36 3P%), Rick Jackson (8.3ppg 5.8rpg)

Newcomers: Wes Johnson, Brandon Triche, James Southerland, DaShonte Riley

Andy Rautins has developed into a solid two-guard for Jim Boeheim.
(photo credit: fingerlakes1.com)

The squad that Jim Boeheim trots out for the 2009-10 season will look quite different than the one we saw at the end of last year. No longer will they have the backcourt duo of Flynn and Devendorf to initiate so much of their offense and carry them for streches (see the 6OT thriller vs UConn). Flynn was scooped up as a lottery pick by the woeful Timberwolves while Devendorf is still deciding whether to play in the NBDL or Europe. While Flynn was one of the preeminent guards in college basketball last year and was widely expected to bolt for greener pastures, Devendorf’s decision was much more surprising, but understandable after his troubles off the court last season and the need to feed his budding family.

They also lost Paul Harris who unexpectedly decided to enter his name in the draft but ended up going undrafted and has been sidelined with an injury in his attempt to latch on with the Utah Jazz during this preseason. Despite leading SU in rebounding last year from the small forward spot, Harris was maddening to watch as his decision making and lack of understanding of how to fit into the offensive flow of the squad hindered their ability to compete with the best in the Big East. Finally, Kristof Ongenaet was lost to graduation after providing a steady, hardworking presence off the bench last season.

The bruising tandem of Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson will likely be the focal point of the offense as long as they can remain on the court and avoid the foul trouble that plagued them at times last year. Jackson showed vast improvement from his freshman to sophomore year (3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg vs. 8.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg) while having ample room still to develop. He has displayed a soft touch around the rim, finished with authority on feeds from penetration and did a respectable job protecting the rim (1.6 bpg in 22 mpg). Onuaku has the potential to be an unstoppable force in the paint in the Big East with his combination of strength, size (6’9”, 275 lbs) and touch, but his complete inability to hit free throws, a staggering 29% from the line, often makes him a liability, especially late in games, as teams were all too willing to hack AO knowing he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from 15 feet. He has also had a string of injuries that have limited his mobility and explosiveness over his career so far, if he can take care of his body, he will be a nightmare for opposing bigs. Backing up these two will be the only other real post player likely to see any time, 7 foot freshman DaShonte Riley, a raw shot blocker who should be able to spell the bash brothers for a few minutes a night.

Andy Rautins returns for his final year of eligibility as the only experienced backcourt performer and de-facto leader of this squad. A deadeye shooter as soon as he stepped on campus, Rautins has developed into a well rounded swingman (3.3 rpg and 1.4 spg) whom Boeheim will rely on a lot this campaign. Capable of sliding over to the point guard spot on occasion because of his improved ball-handling skills and ability to see the floor extremely well (3.0 apg). Joining him in the starting backcourt will likely be freshman Brandon Triche, New York State’s Mr. Basketball and local product that has been drawing rave reviews. Triche is a 6’4” bulldog of a PG that has the size and craftiness to get into the lane and create. Scoop Jardine will be back after red-shirting last year due to injury to back up both guard spots. The 6’3” Jardine worked tirelessly during his time off on his skills, body, and overall approach to the game and should see significant time in the Orange backcourt.

Rounding out the starting five will be Wesley Johnson, a dynamic and athletic 6’7” 205lbs forward who transferred from Iowa State and sat out last year due to NCAA rules, and who might end up being their best player. Named to the Pre-Season All-Big East team, Johnson averaged 12.3 ppg and 7. 9rpg as a freshman and 12.4 ppg and 4.0 rpg as a sophomore despite a season-long ankle injury that limited his effectiveness. On offense, a versatile slasher with a solid outside game, Johnson also will be a perfect fit along the baseline in JB’s famous 2-3 zone with his length and athleticism. Big things are expected out of him and he should make an impact on both sides of the floor this season.

A trio of athletic wings, Kris Joseph, James Southerland and Mookie Jones will be competing for time on the wings. Joseph got spot minutes last year but ended up fading out of the rotation as the Big East schedule and postseason wore on. Southerland is a long, rangy 6'8" shooter who was compared by Jim Boeheim to former SU standout Preston Shumpert. Jones didn't see much time as a freshman because of hip injury that ended up requiring surgery, but should be fully healed. It will be interesting to see if Boeheim experiments with some small lineups with Johnson, Southerland or Joseph at the four in a Shawn Marion-type role.

OUTLOOK: The main challenge for the Orange coaching staff this year will be blending the talented newcomers and experienced veterans into the system while working to develop an identity for this versatile squad. Two keys to this season are whether or not a Triche/Jardine combo will be able to man the 1 effectively and whether this team will be able to make up for the loss of Flynn/Devo/Harris with the ability to shut down opponents with what promises to be a much longer, active 2-3 zone. Anytime a team loses as much pure talent as SU did this off-season, it is bound to take a dip, but with a Hall of Famer at the reins and a solid infusion of talent, a 5th or 6th place finish in the diminished Big East is not out of the question.
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Who will be next season's Public Enemy #1?

Greg Paulus graduated. So did Tyler Hansbrough. Steph Curry has entered the draft and signed with an agent.

Now comes news that Eric Devendorf, the guy that every loved to hate, has officially signed with an agent, ending his collegiate career.

Eric Devendorf has signed with an agent.
(photo credit: USA Today)

The Orange, who reached the Sweet 16 as a #3 seed after making a run to the Big East tournament finals, were an early Final Four favorite in 2010. They had everyone of significance coming back, plus they were adding wing Wesley Johnson (a transfer from Iowa State that tore up Syracuse practices this season).

But then a weird thing happened. Jim Boeheim all but ushered his top three scorers out the door. He "recommended" that Jonny Flynn enter the draft, and essentially forced Devo and Harris to leave school.

Flynn made a good decision to leave. With so many potential first rounders pulling out of the draft, Flynn has an outside chance of sneaking into the lottery, and is pretty much a first round lock.

To be honest, I think Devo was gone regardless. He graduated this past year (he was a junior in basketball terms because he missed a season with a knee injury), has a kid, and couldn't seem to keep himself out of trouble. Devo is a long shot to be a first round pick, and there is a good chance that he goes undrafted on June 25th. He is not big, strong or quick enough to play in the NBA, and while he is an excellent shooter (especially in the clutch) and solid playmaker, he won't be able to defend NBA wings. But his game (if not his attitude) is perfectly suited for Europe, and I would expect him to make a nice living over there for years.

The curious one is Harris. Most people expected him to be a one-and-done guy coming out of high school, but playing in the Big East really exposed Harris's weaknesses. While he is an excellent athlete, aggressive on the glass, and a solid defender, he is only 6'5" and lacks the handle or the jumper to play the perimeter in the league and he is a terrible decision maker. He really could have used another season to hone his skills.

So why did Boeheim show these guys the door?

Well, for starters they needed the scholarship space for their incoming class (and for Johnson).

But more than that, it just seems that Boeheim never really liked this group, especially Harris. According to Andy Katz, after the season, Boeheim didn't hear from Harris, who was in the coach's doghouse for much of the second half of the season, for three weeks. Boeheim also gave this quote to Katz:

We lost three starters but I'll take Wesley Johnson over Paul Harris and Andy Rautins over Eric Devendorf. In some ways, Triche will be better for us. He's really good.

While Boeheim may be correct, I don't think I would want to stay and play for a coach that has no qualms with blasting his former players in the media like that.

The Orange should, however, still compete atop the Big East next season. They return an excellent front line with Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson and Rautins was really impressive down the stretch last season as more than just a shooter. If Triche and Johnson can come in and be as good as Boeheim is saying they are, don't be surprised if this Cuse team makes another Sweet 16 trip.
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