On Syracuse Orange men’s basketball Media Day, Jim Boeheim remembered the uncertainty he faced last fall.
At point: Frank Howard — following what Boeheim dubbed a mediocre season — and a freshman. At center: a relative unknown in Paschal Chukwu — off a season-ending eye injury — and another freshman.
Transfer Geno Thorpe departed, pulling a chair from under the offense. Tyus Battle prepared to assume a monumental scoring load. Three freshmen comprised the forward position.
The Orange emerged not unscathed, but thriving on their way to the Sweet 16.