A quick glance through the roster tells the story. Syracuse’s backcourt — its strength for so many years — is thin, but its frontcourt is absolutely loaded.

During Friday’s media day, head coach Jim Boeheim reiterated that. The Orange, with preseason Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year C.J. Fair, will lean on its big men as it heads into its first season in a new conference.

“It’s important to have depth,” Boeheim said, “and we have good depth at the forward and center position.”

Two days after heading to Charlotte, N.C., for ACC media day, Boeheim and Co. took to the Carmelo K. Anthony Center to usher in the start of basketball season four hours before SU heads to the Carrier Dome for Orange Madness at 8 p.m.

The star of the day was freshman guard Tyler Ennis, who was hounded by reporters from the time players became available until Syracuse stopped for a team photo at 4:45 p.m.

Still, Fair and Jerami Grant, the Orange’s pair of hyper-athletic small forwards, drew their share of attention. Grant seems poised for a breakout season after showing flashes of stardom during his freshman year. Fair was named the conference’s preseason player of the year just two days earlier.

Last season, Fair spent almost all of every game on the floor. Grant was seldom used early in the year, and interspersed more frequently in the lineup as the season went on. This season they’ll likely be the focal point of the offense as they spend more time on the court together.

“We’re probably going to play a lot together because he’s always going to be on the court and I want to get on the court as much as possible,” Grant said. “Last year we played a lot together, so I’m sure it will be fine.”

The Orange also has three true big men to roll out in the low post. Baye Moussa Keita gives SU a steady veteran center, while power forwards Rakeem Christmas and DaJuan Coleman try to find more of an offensive touch to match their intimidating defensive presences.

“I feel like this year Baye and I are the two leaders of this team,” Fair said. “We have to make sure we keep the team in order.”

Further down in the shuffle lies Tyler Roberson. The freshman forward arrived at Syracuse as the No. 39 player in the nation. What his exact role will be remains in question.

“I don’t really have any plan as of right now in terms of playing time,” Boeheim said. “That works itself out.”

Assistant coach Adrian Autry raved about his “motor” while Grant sees him as an energy guy.

In most seasons, a top-40 recruit would be expected to have an immediate effect, but overshadowed by Ennis and a crowded frontcourt, Roberson has time to just be a piece.

But that is a piece in a new-look Orange picked to finish second in its new conference. Much has changed, but SU again has the parts in place for a big season.

“It’s going to be different style-wise,” Fair said. “We’re deeper at the forward position.”

Published on October 18, 2013 at 7:10 pm

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2