College Basketball

SU Hoops: All I Want For Christmas … Is A Second National Title

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:53 a.m. ET

Fansided, Neil Adler/FanSided via Inside the Loud House

We’re in the middle of holiday season and what do SU Hoops fans want for Christmas? Neil Adler gives his best guess and some more interesting thoughts.

It’s that festive, merry time of year when children across the country break out their Christmas (or other holiday) wish lists.

Look, just because I turn 39 on Jan. 1 and have an adorable son of my own, that shouldn’t prevent me from acting like a big kid during the holidays, right?

Especially when it comes to my beloved Syracuse basketball squad.

As we get set to ring in the new year, I’ve compiled my list of presents that I’m hoping Santa will bring the Orange for the rest of this year, as well as next season, which is head coach Jim Boeheim’s supposed swan song.

Dec 10, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) shoots the ball as Boston University Terriers forward Nick Havener (1) defends during the second half at the Carrier Dome. The Orange won 99-77. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Remainder Of 2016-17

Win at least 10 conference games, if not more, and finish above .500 in ACC play. I would ask for a top-four finish, but, given our struggles of late, that’s pushing it.

Capture at least one contest in the ACC Tournament, which would represent Syracuse’s first victory in this post-season affair since joining the conference a few years back. It would also help erase that crushing loss to Pittsburgh this past March in D.C., a game which I attended and almost wish I didn’t.

Speaking of Pitt, Orange-killer Jamie Dixon is gone, so we should beat the Panthers now. Finally. While we’re at it, let’s conquer a minimum of two in the foursome of Duke, Louisville, North Carolina and Virginia.

Outrebound every opponent for the duration of the schedule. Haha. Not a chance.

By year’s end, shoot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range, and 70 percent

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from the charity stripe. Okay, this is a stretch, but can’t a guy dream? Let’s just say that freshman Taurean Thompson should stroke jumpers all day long, while senior Tyler Roberson should not. Graduate transfer Andrew White III can let it rain from downtown, but sophomore Frank Howard is not, I repeat not, allowed to get fouled in the act of shooting.

In terms of the full roster: for White, a spot on the All-ACC first team. Sophomore Tyler Lydon and freshman Tyus Battle, have glorious finishes, but don’t leave early for the NBA. Dajuan Coleman, a solid senior year, and without any injuries. Howard and graduate transfer John Gillon, run the show, push the tempo, and limit your turnovers. Thompson, keep doing your thing on offense, keep improving on defense. Roberson, I really like your humble nature, please get your mojo back. Sophomore Paschal Chukwu, take advantage of any minutes you get, learn from your elders, and prepare for a kick-butt junior season.

Score a big-time recruit (hi, Hamidou Diallo and Jordan Tucker). Nab a solid point guard (hello, Eric Ayala, please re-classify). Get another stud grad transfer, a la White and Gillon.

At some point, climb back into the national rankings.

Not have to sweat it out on Selection Sunday. Land a decent seed in the NCAA Tournament, so we don’t have to listen to “experts” whine about us getting in, particularly Doug Gottlieb and Joe Lunardi.

Like in 2013 and 2016, knock off a No. 1 seed (sorry, Indiana and UVA) on the way to Boeheim’s sixth Final Four.

Dec 5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim coaches Syracuse Orange center DaJuan Coleman (32) and Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) and Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Farewell Tour 2017-18

First and foremost, reverse course from the prior two years by not falling at least three times in the non-conference slate.

Speaking of the out-of-conference schedule, there are some juicy match-ups in which SU must prevail. There’s Georgetown (still sucks!). UConn – again – at Madison Square Garden. Score more than 50 points in this one, pretty please. The annual ACC/Big 10 Challenge, of which Syracuse has lost the last three times out. And, finally, Kansas. A rematch of the 2003 national championship game. This contest will occur at American Airlines Arena in Miami. Hmmm. South Florida in December. I think I’ll attend that game.

How about either an ACC regular-season or tournament title in Boeheim’s final go-round, while setting the on-campus, single-game and entire-year attendance records. Oh, and 35 wins, eclipsing the 2012 school record.

I’m begging that reporters in Syracuse and across the country ask Boeheim over and over again if he is still planning to retire. Gosh, the snarky, snide retorts he would make. Post-game pressers are gonna prove fun!

Keeping with the Boeheim roller-coaster emotions theme, here’s hoping he has another flip-out over a controversial call that spurs him to rip off his sports coat.

Of the returning players, Lydon has an All-American campaign, nabbing ACC Player of the Year honors, and Battle joins him on the All-ACC first team. Howard leads the conference in assists; Chukwu in blocks. Thompson averages a double-double.

Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Matthew Moyer is healthy and emerges as a solid contributor, and Syracuse’s biggest cheerleader. We’re going to love his energy and enthusiasm.

After numerous top-flight recruiting targets shunned the Orange for other powerhouse programs a year ago, SU secures several big-time commitments for Mike Hopkins’ inaugural season as the ‘Cuse head coach.

Yes, that’s right. Boeheim is calling it quits. It’s going to feel very weird to not see him grace the sidelines, arms often raised high up to the sky to complain about the referees. I know Syracuse fans are nervous about what’s to come with Hopkins at the helm. That’s understandable.

But, before we get to that. My most important Christmas wish of all: that James Arthur Boeheim ends his career on a six-game winning streak, all in the post-season.

You do the math.

Happy Holidays, ‘Cuse Nation!