Jim Boeheim has his sights set on the NCAA tournament after last year’s squad was shipped to the NIT after a 9-9 Big East mark and mediocre non-conference resume. But lack of schedule strength wasn't the only issue for the Orangemen last year after Andy Rautins and Eric Devendorf were sent to the pine with season ending injuries. Winning 21 games with just six scholarship players should have been considered one of Boeheim’s better coaching performances but an NIT quarterfinal loss to UMass in the Carrier Dome – the first team to defeat Syracuse twice in the same season on their home court since 1923 – made for a bitter offseason. With Rautins and Devendorf now healthy, and several key players also returning, the Orange are poised to make a return trip to the Big Dance.

For a second straight season, the Syracuse backcourt will be in the capable hands of battle-tested sophomore Jonny Flynn. Last season, Flynn netted 15.7 ppg and 5.3 apg en route to being named Big East co-Rookie of the Year. Thus far, in 2008, we have already seen Flynn make the jump from good to great. Through 11 games, he is averaging a team-high 17.5 ppg and hitting an amazing 62% of his two-point field goals. Devendorf averaged 17 ppg in 10 games before a season-ending knee injury. He’s the perfect compliment to Flynn but how much we see of them together remains to be seen. As of mid-December, Devendorf was suspended indefinitely for an altercation with a female student. He was recently allowed to play because of an appeal but this is something the university is not expected to take lightly. Over the last two years, Devendorf has played in less than 50% of Syracuse’s games. It certainly won’t help the continuity of the team if he is once again out of the mix. Outside of Flynn and Devendorf, the Orange will turn to three-point specialist Andy Rautins, who has taken more than 75% of his shots from beyond the arc. It has been a rough start to 2008 for the 6-5 guard at 30% from deep but time figures to help in regaining his form. With all three players on the court, Syracuse has some of the best perimeter balance in the country. However, if Devendorf is indeed suspended, they go from really good to just another Big East backcourt.

Heading into the season, a big question regarding the paint was how to replace Donte Greene. Green, who is now in the NBA, averaged 17.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg during in his freshmen campaign. While not as dynamic as Green, juniors Paul Harris and Arinze Onuaku are as efficient as they come, combining for 26 ppg, 16 rpg and 62% FGs through the first quarter of the campaign. Underclassmen forwards Rick Jackson and Kris Joseph have chipped in at various spots, playing each about 15 minutes per game. Kristof Ongenaert has started every game for the Orange but his primary role is that of a space eater. Syracuse owns a +5 rebounding margin to go with nearly six blocks per game over the last two years. One concern this season however has been the amount of offensive rebounds for their opponents. In 11 games, foes are grabbing 13.7 per game.

Since the 2004-05 season, the Orangemen have made two NCAA Tournament appearances (0-2) and two recent berths in the NIT. Since the Big East expansion of 2005-06, the Orangemen are 26-24 in league play, including a 7-3 regular season record over Cincinnati, De Paul and South Florida. Last year, injuries were a major factor on the season as a whole but they still lost home games to Rhode Island and UMass with a full lineup. This season, there are neutral site triumphs over Kansas and Florida, but a recent home loss to Cleveland State nearly negates both wins. Not to mention the Devendorf saga bringing in even more negative attention. The talent is there and if they can play up to their capabilities, the postseason awaits. Unfortunately, that just hasn’t been a common occurrence in upstate New York.