As far as first looks go, this one is fairly anticlimactic for Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim-and that’s the way he likes it.

Boeheim’s team returns four starters from last season’s Big East tournament championship team, along with two highly-touted freshmen who are likely to see substantial playing time. But only one starting spot is up for grabs.

The Syracuse men’s basketball team opens the 2006-07 season tonight with an exhibition game against Division II Bryant University (R.I.) at 7 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.

‘Every year there’s always questions,’ Boeheim said. ‘Until we play we don’t know the answer, that’s the good thing.’

Boeheim figures to catch a good look at his two freshmen: Paul Harris, the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year, and forward Mike Jones, last year’s Mr. Basketball in South Carolina. He thinks his freshmen need to value the two exhibition games, even if they’re just preseason contests.

‘They’re very important for the freshmen,’ Boeheim said. ‘It’s the first time to play. Game experience in the Dome is extremely important.’

It’s improbable either Harris and Jones will start tonight, or Nov. 10 against St. Francis (N.Y), the season-opener for the Orange.

‘They’re getting better,’ Boeheim said of his freshmen. ‘It takes a while. They’re doing what they have to do. Some take longer than others.’

Jones, less heralded because he arrived in the same class as the higher-rated Harris, received rave reviews during practice. Jones is Boeheim’s favorite type of player: the lanky, versatile forward-perfect for the zone defense.

The primary question heading into preseason practice, which began more than two weeks ago, was who Boeheim would pick to start the point guard spot left by Gerry McNamara. Harris and junior point guard Josh Wright are competing for the job.

Boeheim would not show his hand whether he came to a decision, but that doesn’t mean his lineup against Bryant isn’t subject to change. Wright practiced with the first team Tuesday, which could be an indication which way Boeheim is leaning.

Boeheim plans to use not only the exhibition games, but also the early season non-conference dates to decide upon a starting lineup he’ll take into Big East play starting in January.

With Darryl Watkins, Terrence Roberts, Demetris Nichols and Eric Devendorf returning, the 31-year head coach has stability at most parts of the court.

Watkins, who averaged 7.1 points and 7.3 rebounds, played arguably his best basketball down the stretch last season. In the Orange’s five postseason games (Big East tournament and NCAA tournament), Watkins averaged 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Roberts, the lone Syracuse player named to the Preseason All-Big East squad, led the team in rebounding (7.6 per game) and added 10.7 points per game.

With sophomore forward Arinze Onuaku out indefinitely after knee surgery, there will be greater pressure for Watkins and Roberts to stay out of foul trouble and remain on the court.

Boeheim will depend heavily on Nichols and Devendorf to fill the scoring shoes Gerry McNamara leaves behind. Nichols had the hot hand during the Orange’s non-conference schedule last year, averaging 14.6 points per game, but only notched 11.8 in Big East play. On the other hand, Devendorf was a consistent scorer for Boeheim within the conference (14.5 ppg).

The exhibition games could be especially important for conditioning purposes. The Orange plays tonight, then Sunday against Cal State-Los Angeles in another exhibition, before it has a week off. SU opens its season with three games in three days as a part of the Black Coaches Association Invitational, beginning on Nov. 10.

‘You need to be ready by the time the season starts, conditioning-wise,’ Boeheim said. ‘You want to be ready to play.’

Published on October 30, 2006 at 12:00 pm