Story Created:
Oct 16, 2008 at 10:46 PM EST
Story Updated:
Oct 17, 2008 at 2:36 AM EST
SYRACUSE, NY (WKTV) - With college basketball season already just a month away, Syracuse University held its unofficial start to the 2008-2009 campaign Thursday with Media Day at Manley Field House.
The Orange is coming off an injury-plagued season that resulted in a second straight postseason NIT appearance, but this year should be quite different. Guards Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins are back from knee injuries, last year's first-year players are now experienced veterans, and for the first time in three seasons, SU is not relying on any true freshmen to start.
In addition to health and experience, the Orange is hoping to benefit from more balance and depth. Head coach Jim Boeheim, entering his 33rd season at the helm of Syracuse, says the team plans to play at least nine deep as opposed to seven last year, and the decrease in minutes should lead to an increase in production.
Syracuse officially starts the season Friday, October 24th, with (early) "Midnight Madness," which starts at 8:00 p.m. at Manley Field House and is free and open to the public. The Orange's first exhibition is Monday, November 3rd, against Cal State-Los Angeles at the Carrier Dome, and the first regular-season game is Sunday, November 16th, against Le Moyne College, also at the Dome.
Click the video icon for NEWSChannel 2's Brian Sandler's report from Media Day.
