It’s strange for a team to be ranked among the top five and hardly get noticed, but that seems to be what’s been happening to Syracuse. While much of college basketball’s focus remains at the top of the polls - Texas, Kentucky and Kansas rightfully have garnered the spotlight - the Orange have quietly gone about their business and knocked off nearly every big-time opponent they’ve faced.
Their only loss came Jan. 2 against Pittsburgh, which only recently lost a share of the Big East lead. A five-game winning streak followed, including three straight on the road. One of those victories came at West Virginia, part of the Syracuse’s 4-0 record versus ranked foes. The resume also includes double-digit victories over North Carolina, Florida, Memphis and California. In fact, all 13 of their non-conference wins came by at least 13 points.
Syracuse was picked to finish sixth in the Big East and wasn’t part of the AP’s preseason Top 25, but the Orange have remained in the top 10 since late November while becoming one of the favorites to win the conference. Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone defense has been very effective, but so has the offense thanks greatly to a newcomer.
Wesley Johnson’s arrival has keyed Syracuse overcoming the departures of Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf from a 28-10 team which reached the Big East tournament final and the NCAA tourney’s Sweet 16. Losing Flynn and Devendorf left the Orange without more than a third of their scoring output from last season, but Johnson has stepped in to average 17.1 points and 8.7 rebounds, helping the Syracuse offense not miss a beat. The Orange lead Division I in field-goal shooting at 53.2 percent and are among the nation’s highest-scoring teams at 84.2 points per game after averaging 80.2 in 2008-09.
Johnson sat out last season following his transfer from Iowa State, where he averaged more than 12 points in two seasons. He scored at least 15 in all but five games during Syracuse’s 18-1 start and he’s among the Big East leaders with eight double-doubles. The junior forward doesn’t let up on the defensive end, ranking second on the team in blocks and steals. He’s even been terrific from 3-point range and is among four Syracuse players shooting better than 40 percent beyond the arc.
Brandon Triche also is one of them, possibly the latest in a long line of guards to become stars early in their Syracuse careers. The freshman might only last one more year with the Orange before jumping to the NBA, considering this season he’s averaging 10.4 points and has displayed excellent shot selection.
Seniors Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku certainly are doing their part, with each averaging more than 10 points. Rautins adds 5.1 assists per game and has made a team-leading 48 3-pointers while Onuaku mans the post, shooting a team-best 66.9 percent.
The Orange easily could find themselves alone atop the Big East standings very soon with a less-than-daunting schedule in the coming weeks, but things get much tougher starting Feb. 7 at Cincinnati. They’ll follow that matchup with home games against UConn and Louisville, followed by visits to Georgetown and Providence before a showdown with fourth-ranked Villanova.
The Orange have a good chance against all of them because they can win in so many ways. If their 3-point shooters are off the mark, Johnson, Onuaku and reserve Rick Jackson can do damage inside or off the boards. Plus, with a smothering defense holding opponents to 37.5 percent from the field, Syracuse might not need to be so dominant offensively to put together another big season for Boeheim.
