Judah Mintz Returns: Syracuse Basketball Roster Analysis
Syracuse basketball received huge news on Wednesday as Judah Mintz announced he is returning for his sophomore season. This completes the Orange's roster for the 2023-24 season, which will be the first under new head coach Adrian Autry. The transfer portal has played a pivotal role in shaping this roster, both with its additions and subtractions. Here is a look at the player movement as well as the roster and potential rotation.
ADDITIONS
G Kyle Cuffe (Kansas transfer)
C Naheem McLeod (Florida State transfer)
C William Patterson (high school recruit)
G JJ Starling (Notre Dame transfer)
G Chance Westry (Auburn transfer
SUBTRACTIONS
F John Bol Ajak (transfer portal)
C Jesse Edwards (transfer to West Virginia)
G Joe Girard (transfer to Clemson)
G Symir Torrence (transfer to Binghamton)
CURRENT ROSTER
Guards
Kyle Cuffe
Judah Mintz
JJ Starling
Chance Westry
Forwards
Chris Bell
Maliq Brown
Quadir Copeland
Justin Taylor
Benny Williams
Centers
Peter Carey
Mounir Hima
Naheem McLeod
William Patterson
ANALYSIS
Both Justin Taylor and Quadir Copeland can play in the backcourt, but they are listed as forwards based on where they played last year. They certainly provide depth at guard as well. The starting lineup and rotation is still to be determine based on training camp, but I could see Adrian Autry playing as many as ten guys. He says he wants to play fast paced and get out in transition. Running a lot could mean more play in order to keep everyone fresh.
Here is my best guess at the starting lineup and rotation (note I have William Patterson redshirting):
Starters
PG Judah Mintz
SG JJ Starling
SF Chris Bell
PF Benny Williams
C Naheem McLeod
Rotational Subs
Guards: Chance Westry, Kyle Cuffe, Quadir Copeland
Forwards: Chance Westry, Maliq Brown, Quadir Copeland, Justin Taylor
Center: Mounir Hima, Maliq Brown, Peter Carey
Commentary
The biggest question mark in that starting lineup is small forward. Will Westry start over Bell? Or will Bell make a leap and keep his starting spot? I am going with the incumbent who has been in the program for now, which is a more conservative approach. That said, it would not surprise me to see Westry in the starting lineup. Either way, both will play quite a bit.
The addition of Mintz gives Autry so many options with his rotation and lineups. There is versatility with guys like Westry, Copeland and Taylor being able to play multiple positions. Maliq Brown can see time at center if Syracuse wants to go a bit smaller. There is length and athleticism everywhere.
Sure there are still questions. How will McLeod fare in the middle playing much more than he did at Florida State? How will the other transfers transition in? How will Autry utilize the roster, distribute minutes, etc? But there is no question that Mintz's return gives the Orange a huge boost and one of best backcourts in the ACC.
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