Fansided

College basketball rankings: 2018-2019 FanSided preseason Top 25

By Cody Williams

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orange reacts against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orange reacts against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
  • Last Season: 23-14, Lost in Sweet 16
  • Notable Losses: Geno Thorpe
  • Notable Additions: Jalen Carey, Elijah Hughes (transfer), Buddy Boeheim

Throughout the country, fans cried foul at the notion of the Syracuse Orange making it into the 2018 NCAA Tournament last season as, for the most part, people felt that they were undeserving in comparison to some of the First Four Out. However, Jim Boeheim’s group did all they could to prove that they were deserving of their spot as they advanced to the Sweet 16 off of two upset victories. Never count out Boeheim in March — a lesson we should all learn.

There’s no doubt that the ACC is once again going to be an exceptionally strong conference this season, but Syracuse has a team that can again compete well within. At the forefront of that is the return of Tyus Battle, the guard who averaged 19.2 points per game for the Orange last season and was close to entering the NBA Draft. He’s back, however, and should look to be a leader once again.

Battle returning truly gives Syracuse a strong returning cast as they have few departures to speak of. Entering his sophomore season, forward Oshae Brissett could be a breakout candidate after already averaging 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in his first collegiate season last year. With the other three starters, including Franklin Howard returning, this is an experienced group at the top.

What could boost Syracuse this season is the arrival of backcourt depth with Jalen Carey and East Carolina transfer Elijah Hughes, both of whom can score. And though he may not make much of an impact, expect to hear a lot about Buddy Boeheim this season, an incoming freshman who is also the son of the head coach.