Game Preview: Princeton at Syracuse

Princeton visits Syracuse in one of the Ivy League”s most daunting non-conference matchups of the season tomorrow evening. In anticipation of this contest, we sat down with our friends over at  to get the scoop on this year”s Orange squad.

Tell us about your site.

Wesley Cheng:  has been around since 1992. We started as a print magazine and then took our talents to the online world in 2010. Since then, we”ve joined the SNY.tv blog network, covering Syracuse Orange men”s basketball, football and lacrosse.

What is the major storyline around Syracuse this year?

WC: The biggest thing for SU has been replacing the losses of Fab Melo, Dion Waiters and Kris Joseph, who all went to the NBA, and Scoop Jardine, who graduated. They accounted for 58 percent of the Orange”s offense last season, and a lot of teams would be in a rebuilding year. Not Syracuse, though. They”ve got a younger team, but in some ways, they may

be more talented. The starting lineup features three McDonald”s All Americans (two sophomores and a freshman), and several players who can create their own shot. The Orange played a 10-man rotation last season, and Syracuse will once again have a deep bench this season, playing as many as nine guys. Syracuse will once again be prolific in the vaunted 2-3 zone. The shortest scholarship player is 6″4″, and the Orange can trot out a lineup that features three players at 6″9″ or taller in the front court.

Who should we watch out for?

WC: Brandon Triche is a senior who has started every game throughout his career on The Hill. He”s been through three mercurial seasons, but has a chance to become one of the go-to players on the team. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim often says that the thing preventing Triche from greatness is himself. He”s got a solid outside jumper and the strength to get into the lane at will. But he”s always had that, so we”ll see if he can put it together for a full season. His backcourt mate, Michael Carter-Williams is another guy to watch. He played sparingly last season because he was the fourth guard behind more experienced players, but showed flashes of his uber athleticism. It”s early in the season, but as the newly minted starting point guard, he”s shown that he”s got the ability to score and distribute consistently, and at 6″5″, he”s a nightmare at the top of the zone.

What are your predictions for the game?

WC: I see Ian Hummer having a solid game for Princeton and the Tigers will hang with the Orange for the first half. But I see the zone clamping down in the second half, and SU pulling away for a double digit win.