Here's what the Syracuse basketball rotation could look like this season without Malachi Richardson.
Although no official decision has been made, it looks as though freshman Malachi Richardson is going to follow through with the NBA Draft process and look to become the sixth first round pick from Syracuse since 2012. I wrote a piece following Syracuse's Final Four loss to North Carolina with the team's roster and what the TNIAAM team thought the starting lineup would look like in 2016-2017. The roster has gone through some significant changes since then, so it's time to take another look at what the Syracuse starting lineup and rotation could look like.
As of today, without Richardson, this is what the roster looks like in 2016-2017:
G - Frank Howard: Sophomore
G - Tyus Battle: Freshman
G - John Gillon: Senior
F - Tyler Roberson: Senior
F - Tyler Lydon: Sophomore
F - Matt Moyer: Freshman
C - Dajuan Coleman: Senior
C - Pashcal Chukwu: Sophomore
It's still possible for Syracuse to add to its roster via transfer or a commitment from the 2016 class. With the players listed above, it's hard to see Jim Boeheim not utilizing all of them. Syracuse is limited in the backcourt with only three guards. I'd expect Howard and Gillon to handle the point with Battle playing the off guard position. With Howard and Gillon playing together, I'd assume Gillon would slide to the two with Howard taking control of the point guard position.
In the front court I'd look for Moyer to spell Lydon and Roberson for small stretches with Coleman and Chukwu splitting time manning the middle of the zone. Should both centers get into foul trouble, Boeheim could always turn to Lydon in the middle with Moyer and Roberson on the wings. Those three forwards together might be Syracuse's best offensive lineup in the front court.
If I had to guess what the starting lineup would be with the roster given, I'd go with Howard, Battle, Roberson, Lydon and Coleman. Again, you'd have to think all players on the current roster would get minutes despite Boeheim's reluctance to go to his bench. Traditionally Boeheim goes seven deep but has gone as deep as nine in years like 2011-2012.
Who do you think starts and what do you think the rotation will look like in 2016-2017? Leave your opinion in the comments section below.
