The old, bespectacled coach still has some juice left.
And he's going to need it this season.
With an entirely overhauled lineup, complete with just two returning players, the Syracuse men's basketball team is young and inexperienced.
Jim Boeheim is already pledging patience, but that's not something you can buy off eBay.
His team is talented, no doubt. But freshman usually take time to adjust, no matter the skill set.
You can tell them what it's like at the D-I level. The team veterans can tell them what it's like to play in the Big East.
But until they're battling for a rebound with Roy Hibbert or trying to guard Scottie Reynolds, they have no idea.
The hall-of-fame coach has proven one thing over the years - he can coach talent. But this season, he'll have to be more than a coach.
He's now a full-time teacher.
The youngsters need guidance. Unlike many programs throughout the country, Boeheim can't ease these freshmen into games.
They have to play extended minutes.
They have to hit big shots, make big plays.
The new-look ,Cuse has just completed its exhibition slate, and so far, so good. The freshmen are contributing. The veterans look sharp.
But College of Saint Rose and Le Moyne aren't exactly UConn and Pitt.
As SU's fresh faces learn, so do we.
Here's what we've discovered about the 2007-08 Orange thus far:
• Donte Green likes to shoot. I'd say it's his favorite thing to do. Defense and rebounding? Not so much. The 6-11 freshman can score. He scored 16 in the first half against Saint Rose and 26 in 23 minutes against Le Moyne. With Andy Rautins lost for the season, Syracuse needs an added 3-point threat. Boeheim doesn't want Green hovering around the arc all night, but if he can step out and knock down a few treys, it will open up the inside for the Orange.
• Arinze Onuaku likes lifting weights. Injured last season and unable to do any cardio, Onuaku hit the weight room. At 6-9, 258 pounds, the redshirt junior is a monster in the middle. It will take time for Onuaku to get his legs under him, but it will take even more time for opposing centers to figure out how to box this guy out. If he can avoid foul trouble, Onuaku will be good for a double-double each time out.
• There's not much Jonny Flynn can't do. Yes, he's only a freshman. But the Niagara Falls native is so dynamic with the ball in his hands. In his first game, he had nine assists and one turnover. In Game 2, he dropped 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting. He can shoot, pass, defend, run - at this point I'm not sure what he can't do. At risk of building him up too much, Flynn is still a youngster and looks out of control at times. But a fair point to make - Syracuse hasn't looked any worse off with Josh Wright out of the lineup for two games. Wright is the elder statesman, but Flynn will push him for minutes and inevitably, a starting spot. Mark my words, by Christmas you'll already be sick of this debate. In the past, Boeheim has been overly loyal to his veterans. I don't know if he can afford that luxury this year. Flynn is too good not to be on the floor.
• Syracuse may actually out-rebound opponents. I know, I'm shocked as well. No matter the players, there seems to be a few certains with every Orange basketball team - free-throw deficiencies, turnover problems and poor rebounding. Last season, SU got pounded on the offensive boards. But this year may be different. Onuaku and Paul Harris will be good for 18 to 20 boards a night. Green is long enough to snag a few and freshman reserve Rick Jackson has already made an immediate impression. He snared 16 rebounds, six on the offensive end, against Le Moyne. The free throws still won't be falling, but at least the board work is improving.
- Boeheim's head might explode by the start of the Big East season. It's hard to gauge the coach thus far. I can't tell if he likes this team or not. No question, they're exciting. They're loose and that translates to the court. But I'm afraid if there's one more behind-the-back pass or lob off the backboard, Boeheim might start throwing furniture onto the court. Boeheim has always been a player's coach. He gives his guys their freedom. But he still has an old-school mentality - equating to smart plays and smart passes. But if this free-wheeling style results in wins, Boeheim won't be able to find much to scowl about.
Heh, yeah right.
At least some things will never change.
With an entirely overhauled lineup, complete with just two returning players, the Syracuse men's basketball team is young and inexperienced.
Jim Boeheim is already pledging patience, but that's not something you can buy off eBay.
His team is talented, no doubt. But freshman usually take time to adjust, no matter the skill set.
You can tell them what it's like at the D-I level. The team veterans can tell them what it's like to play in the Big East.
But until they're battling for a rebound with Roy Hibbert or trying to guard Scottie Reynolds, they have no idea.
The hall-of-fame coach has proven one thing over the years - he can coach talent. But this season, he'll have to be more than a coach.
He's now a full-time teacher.
The youngsters need guidance. Unlike many programs throughout the country, Boeheim can't ease these freshmen into games.
They have to play extended minutes.
They have to hit big shots, make big plays.
The new-look ,Cuse has just completed its exhibition slate, and so far, so good. The freshmen are contributing. The veterans look sharp.
But College of Saint Rose and Le Moyne aren't exactly UConn and Pitt.
As SU's fresh faces learn, so do we.
Here's what we've discovered about the 2007-08 Orange thus far:
• Donte Green likes to shoot. I'd say it's his favorite thing to do. Defense and rebounding? Not so much. The 6-11 freshman can score. He scored 16 in the first half against Saint Rose and 26 in 23 minutes against Le Moyne. With Andy Rautins lost for the season, Syracuse needs an added 3-point threat. Boeheim doesn't want Green hovering around the arc all night, but if he can step out and knock down a few treys, it will open up the inside for the Orange.
• Arinze Onuaku likes lifting weights. Injured last season and unable to do any cardio, Onuaku hit the weight room. At 6-9, 258 pounds, the redshirt junior is a monster in the middle. It will take time for Onuaku to get his legs under him, but it will take even more time for opposing centers to figure out how to box this guy out. If he can avoid foul trouble, Onuaku will be good for a double-double each time out.
• There's not much Jonny Flynn can't do. Yes, he's only a freshman. But the Niagara Falls native is so dynamic with the ball in his hands. In his first game, he had nine assists and one turnover. In Game 2, he dropped 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting. He can shoot, pass, defend, run - at this point I'm not sure what he can't do. At risk of building him up too much, Flynn is still a youngster and looks out of control at times. But a fair point to make - Syracuse hasn't looked any worse off with Josh Wright out of the lineup for two games. Wright is the elder statesman, but Flynn will push him for minutes and inevitably, a starting spot. Mark my words, by Christmas you'll already be sick of this debate. In the past, Boeheim has been overly loyal to his veterans. I don't know if he can afford that luxury this year. Flynn is too good not to be on the floor.
• Syracuse may actually out-rebound opponents. I know, I'm shocked as well. No matter the players, there seems to be a few certains with every Orange basketball team - free-throw deficiencies, turnover problems and poor rebounding. Last season, SU got pounded on the offensive boards. But this year may be different. Onuaku and Paul Harris will be good for 18 to 20 boards a night. Green is long enough to snag a few and freshman reserve Rick Jackson has already made an immediate impression. He snared 16 rebounds, six on the offensive end, against Le Moyne. The free throws still won't be falling, but at least the board work is improving.
- Boeheim's head might explode by the start of the Big East season. It's hard to gauge the coach thus far. I can't tell if he likes this team or not. No question, they're exciting. They're loose and that translates to the court. But I'm afraid if there's one more behind-the-back pass or lob off the backboard, Boeheim might start throwing furniture onto the court. Boeheim has always been a player's coach. He gives his guys their freedom. But he still has an old-school mentality - equating to smart plays and smart passes. But if this free-wheeling style results in wins, Boeheim won't be able to find much to scowl about.
Heh, yeah right.
At least some things will never change.
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