Syracuse basketball is enjoying a beautiful trip to Italy before they start their season in a few months.
This foreign trip is mainly for the youngsters on the roster to get precious reps in the 2-3 zone and to build chemistry together.
Syracuse is replacing 80 percent of its lineup from 2018 with the only lone returning starter being forward Elijah Hughes.
Naturally, in the opening game in Italy on Monday afternoon in Syracuse (7:00 p.m. at night in Italy), Hughes led all scorers with 18 points.
He struggled from beyond the arc (2-of-9), but his aggressiveness helped guide the Orange to the 69-59 victory.