Syracuse Starts Season In Associated Press Top Ten
10/30/2010 10:34:02 AM | Men's Basketball
Despite the loss of three starters from the 2009-10 squad that reached the NCAA Sweet 16, Syracuse has been ranked tenth in the first Associated Press men's basketball poll of the new season.
Syracuse earned the 13th slot in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll that was released earlier. BIG EAST Conference rivals Pittsburgh and Villanova are both rated ahead of the Orange -- the Panthers are fifth in the AP and fourth in the ESPN/USA Today polls while the Wildcats are sixth in each. Georgetown is also in the two preseason polls at 20th and 21st, respectively.
Seniors Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku, plus junior Wesley Johnson are gone from the SU roster. Rautins is with the NBA's New York Knicks, Johnson was a first-round selection of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Onuaku completed his eligibility.
Senior Rick Jackson, juniors Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph and sophomore Brandon Triche are the most experienced performers on this year's club. Jackson and Triche each started all 35 games a season ago.
Syracuse opens the exhibition portion of its season on Tuesday, November 2, against Kutztown in the Carrier Dome.
