Heading into Syracuse’s first exhibition game there was hype, yet uncertainty. There was an air of confidence, yet there was a tentative anticipation to see if the new crop of players could replace the team’s heart and soul from last year’s Sweet 16 run.

Without the guidance of Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris, the Orange was in search of an identity this weekend, trying to mold one of its most unique compounds of experienced and unproven talent in recent memory.

‘We just have to have confidence,’ freshman guard Brandon Triche said. ‘Coming in here we lost a lot, but I know we can fulfill some of the vacant spots we lost.’

Sunday was the first look into the future for Syracuse. With five new players receiving playing time, the Orange cruised to a 97-54 victory over Cal State-Los Angeles in front of 5,523 at the Carrier Dome in the team’s first of two exhibition matches.

‘I think our performance basically told them that we’re here to play,’ said freshman forward James Southerland, who scored a game-high 19 points. ‘You saw all we can do.’

From the opening tip, there was a sense that this is a different team – no longer was Flynn manning the point. Instead, Brandon Triche piloted the Orange offense, taking the court with the probable first team alongside Andy Rautins, Rick Jackson, Arinze Onuaku and Wesley Johnson.

Tentative at the outset, Triche worked the ball around to an SU offense, shaking off the rust from the offseason. Missed shots by Rautins and Jackson gave way to a Triche jumper from 15 feet away for the first points of the game.

Once the team settled into form, the new blood took over. A longer, faster team than in 2008, the Orange was more assertive on defense, using tight coverage and forceful rebounding to play into its transition-heavy offense.

‘I think we’re a lot more athletic,’ Johnson said. ‘We’re a lot taller. We’re a defensive team now, more than a rebounding team. I think last year was more of an offensive team, up-tempo, I’m not saying we didn’t play defense last year, but this team is more a defensive team than anything.’

Johnson, who sat out last year due to NCAA transfer regulations, finished the game with eight points and eight rebounds, and epitomized the team’s new look with one crushing blow.

With 17 minutes remaining in the second half and the Orange holding a 48-25 lead, Johnson emerged from the backcourt and swatted a Leland Jones jump shot off the court, eliciting a raucous roar from the crowd.

‘I mean, you saw Wes,’ Rautins said. ‘He lit the crowd up a couple times tonight. You know they bring an element to the table of pure excitement, and I think that’s going to get the rest of the guys jacked up.’

But even Johnson – who’s been at the forefront of the optimism surrounding this team – could not match the performance of Southerland. Scoring 19 points off the strength of five 3-pointers and an overall perfect shooting percentage, he showcased an arsenal of new weapons at head coach Jim Boeheim’s disposal.

After each transition, Southerland found space around the 3-point line and used his 6-foot-8 frame to dominate opposing perimeter defenders. After the first shot fell, he began draining 3’s, exiting the game to a standing ovation with a little more than four minutes left to play.

‘I think all three freshmen did a good job,’ Boeheim said. ‘Obviously James shot well, he’s a good shooter.’

After the game was over, Rautins looked across the locker room as reporters began flooding in, seeing a slew of new players he had never played with in his previous four years at SU. The lockers that had been swarmed in the past were quieter now with the likes of fresh bodies.

For Rautins, it’s a feeling he’s never really experienced before.

‘I do feel a little old,’ Rautins said. ‘I think these guys are going to keep us young throughout the year.’

ctorr@syr.edu

Published on October 25, 2009 at 12:00 pm