I
n the last two years, Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack completely turned around the program. The Orange won 20 games in 2022-23, and followed that up by claiming a spot in the NCAA Tournament last season. After beating Arizona in the first round, Syracuse narrowly fell to No. 3 seed UConn.
In the offseason, though, SU took some major hits. Point guard Dyaisha Fair — the third-highest scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history — was selected in the WNBA draft. Fellow guard Alaina Rice graduated, while Alyssa Latham and Kennedi Perkins entered the transfer portal.
Legette-Jack had her work cut out for her. She used the transfer portal to snag LSU guard Angelica Velez and Journey Thompson, a forward from Arizona State. She also boasts a freshman class of Shy Hawkins, Madeline Potts and Keira Scott. If SU wants to make another tournament run, it will need these additions to step up alongside returners Georgia Woolley, Sophie Burrows and Kyra Wood.
Here’s how our beat writers think that Syracuse women’s basketball will fare in 2024-25:
Noah Nussbaum
New kids on the block
Record: 16-13
MVP: Georgia Woolley
X-Factor: Angelica Velez
Despite finishing 24-8 last season, Syracuse looks completely different this season. With Fair’s departure, Woolley appears to be next in line to lead a talented, but inexperienced squad. The Orange lost three of their top four scorers from 2023-24 in Fair, Rice and Latham, so it will be tough for them to improve on last season.
Legette-Jack’s offseason additions, namely Velez, Thompson and Hawkins, could potentially make that task easier. If Syracuse wants to contend again this season, it will need production from these newcomers. Woolley, Burrows and Wood can’t carry the team on their own.
However, at this point, it’s tough to see what value they will bring. Velez only received 4.9 minutes per game at LSU and, while Thompson played over 20 in each contest for the Sun Devils, she averaged a lowly 5.5 points.
SU has potential for a strong squad, but I still see the Orange finishing slightly above .500 and in the middle of the pack in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Along with Syracuse’s new roster, a tough schedule featuring 11 NCAA Tournament teams from 2024, including Notre Dame and NC State, will make another postseason run difficult.
Nicholas Alumkal
Regress, not elevate
Record: 18-11
MVP: Georgia Woolley
X-Factor: Sophie Burrows
At the ACC Tipoff on Oct. 8, the stated goal for Syracuse this season was to “elevate” — reach a level higher than it did last season. The expressed objective was to get to the Sweet 16, one round deeper than it reached last season. That is going to be a challenge for SU. Not only are the Orange in the ACC, which has six ranked teams, but on paper, SU’s quality has regressed.
The loss of Fair, who averaged 22.3 points while making 37.7% of her shots from beyond the arc last season, is a major blow for the offense. Latham, who led the team in rebounds as a freshman with seven per game, transferring to Tennessee is another challenge for Legette-Jack’s group.
But I expect to see a more well-balanced attack from Syracuse. Woolley is ready to be the top scoring option, and she can do it on all three levels. SU’s scoring attack will be more spread out across many players. Last season, if Fair was shut down or if she had an off night, teams had a great chance to beat Syracuse.
This year, the weight of the offense is not solely on Woolley’s shoulders. Burrows is a threat from the outside while Izabel Varejão and Wood can score down low. While the offense may be more balanced, it can’t collectively make up for Fair’s exit. And for that reason, Syracuse will take a step back from its NCAA Tournament Second-Round appearance.
Timmy Wilcox
‘Brick-by-brick’
Record: 17-12
MVP: Georgia Woolley
X-Factor: Dominique Camp
Syracuse’s ability to move forward without Fair will involve some heavy lifting. Legette-Jack said the Orange will take it “brick-by-brick” to replace their former star.
SU has a healthy mix of veteran and youthful options to compete in the ACC this season. The first place to look is Woolley, who averaged 13.8 points and 33.6 minutes last season, each ranking second to Fair. Wood returns after making 24 starts a year ago while finishing second on the team in field goal percentage.
The Orange suffered an exit in the ACC Quarterfinals in 2023-24, where they had just six scorers. This year, SU’s depth will need to step up, especially when it faces No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 11 Duke and No. 15 North Carolina. Dominique Camp can be the difference maker after missing last season with an ACL injury. She joins Syracuse’s rotation this season with three seasons of experience, including 2022-23 when she averaged 10.8 points for Akron.
Whether Syracuse wins its nonconference and road games will be pivotal. The Orange’s returners will lead it to gritty ACC wins, but the strength of the conference will refrain them from improving on last season. SU will fall just short of a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.
Photograpgh by Nick Luttrell | Daily Orange File Photo
Published on October 24, 2024 at 1:34 am
