Syracuse Going South Without Southerland

The Syracuse Orange are 15-1 with James Southerland. But they are 4-2 without him. Whether you want to hear the obvious or not, the Orange are a vastly different team without their senior forward; who was ruled academically ineligible on January 12th. Syracuse has gone from an upper echelon title contender to just as beatable as everyone else in the Big East in a matter of weeks. The offense has hit rock bottom, scoring less and less, as well as seeing their movement on that end decrease by the game. The defense has been shockingly sub par, tormented by the increased playing time of the inexperienced freshman Jerami Grant. With an upcoming schedule that features four ranked teams and four road games is it time for concern for Syracuse? Time will tell, as Southerland has a meeting with the university panel to attempt to regain his eligibility on February 8th. The decision will likely alter the course of the Orange’s season. Whether Southerland ultimately ends up permanently ineligibl...