SYRACUSE - If you asked Jim Boeheim what the least favorite part of his job is, he would probably answer taking questions from reporters.

Recruiting, game planning, travel, no problem, sitting behind a microphone, he could do without it. But the veteran Syracuse basketball coach knows it's a necessary evil.

Still, when he starts the Q&A with "Fire away" you know this is a person who would rather be doing something else. To his credit, Boeheim answered every question, he did what was required of him.

But then again, Boeheim knows he has a pretty good basketball team this season - possibly Final Four good. One reporter asked him what he thought about his team being ranked fifth in a preseason poll.

"Fifth," he said in disbelief, "who has us ranked fifth?"

When told ESPN, Boeheim replied, "They're never wrong. Two years ago they had us ranked 40th."

This team will not be 40th. There's too much talent and experience for that to happen. Start off with Hakim Warrick, the senior could have gone to the NBA but decided to return. All Warrick can do is improve his draft position and make the Orange a favorite to win the Big East.

Gerry McNamara has changed too. He has funky thin sideburns, seriously, you know G-Mac is anxious to start the season.

"I think we put the pressure on ourselves, we have the talent, there's no doubt about it," he said. "Talent-wise, we're better than any team I've played on here from top to bottom. We expect to get back there (the Final Four). Anything less is not successful. That's the way I approach it and I think most of the guys feel the same way."

Billy Edelin was back, although he can't play with the Orange unless he becomes academically eligible, McNamara was thrilled to see him.

"He know's what's at stake, his future with the basketball team," McNamara said. "He's a good person and has a lot of people behind them. I hope he's doing his thing and alright on his own. I want him to succeed on his own. He's such a nice guy, a great friend, you don't want anything to happen to him."

Key contributors Josh Pace and Craig Forth are back for their senior seasons.

"I feel faster," Forth said, "my feet are quicker and I've been working hard on my game. Everyone's geared up for the season, high hopes, and we'll see what happens."

SU's famed freshmen class of last year will have to step it up as Louie McCroskey, Demetris Nichols, Terrence Roberts and Darryl Watkins need to improve.

Boeheim hates rankings, all they do is create pressure and unrealistic expectations. He said that any team in the top 20 could win the national title and any team in the top 40 could reach the Final Four. He's right, the three teams he's taken to the NCAA finals, none of them were ranked preseason top 20.

When asked what his expectations were for this season, Boeheim replied the same way he's had for who knows how many years.

"I just want us to play the best basketball we're capable of playing."

If the Orange do that, everything else will take care of itself.