I
n her first season, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack helmed the Orange to a promising 18-12 regular season, establishing themselves as postseason hopefuls. But, their dreams of returning to the Big Dance were slashed after a 25-point loss to NC State to open the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
Heading into 2023-24, Legette-Jack’s vision appears more complete. Dyaisha Fair cemented herself as one of the top point guards in the country last season — averaging 19.9 points and earning a First Team All-ACC selection — and is back for her graduate year. A slew of newcomers have arrived to give Fair some help, including ESPN top 100 recruit Alyssa Latham and Australia’s Sophie Burrows. With a proven star and added depth, Legette-Jack will attempt to guide SU back to the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse women’s basketball will fare in 2023-24:
Zak Wolf
Slowly but surely
ACC Record: 10-8
MVP: Dyaisha Fair
X-FACTOR: Frontcourt
The 2022-23 season was a building block for Legette-Jack. In her first season with the Orange, the team showed flashes, but ultimately had mixed results culminating in a WNIT Super 16 finish. Last season, SU struggled getting over the hump against the ACC schools, with its only ranked win coming against North Carolina. Despite the inconsistency, Legette-Jack set the foundation. With so many returning pieces, Syracuse has the potential to make some noise in a strong ACC.
Fair’s return is obviously the biggest story of the offseason, but SU’s team is much more than that. Georgia Woolley and Alaina Rice provide experience and a secondary scoring spark. The addition of Michigan transfer Izabel Varejao and freshmen Latham and Marilena Triantafylli give the Orange stability in the frontcourt after losing Dariauna Lewis and Asia Strong. If Syracuse gets consistent front-court play, they’ll be able to take a step forward in the ACC.
Cooper Andrews
Fairly improved
ACC Record: 11-7
MVP: Dyaisha Fair
X-FACTOR: Sophie Burrows
Last season was a valiant effort for Legette-Jack in her first campaign, setting the program-record for wins in a debut head coaching season (20). While SU’s defense was one of the worst in the ACC (67.9 points against per game), Syracuse’s offense was the second-best in the conference, averaging 74.2 points per game. Legette-Jack brought over four transfers from Buffalo, including Fair and Woolley, to help build SU. With eight returners and a few new additions, 2023-24 will look more like the finished product.
While SU can rely on Fair to carry the team, it also has shooting threats like Woolley and freshman Burrows to help match Fair’s production. Guard Kennedi Perkins, who shot 42.9% in limited opportunities, leads a deep bench for the Orange. Plus, Varejao and Triantafylli round out the team with their height, standing at 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5, respectively. Legette-Jack has built the Orange into a contender in year two and they are primed to return to the NCAA Tournament.
Justin Girshon
Dancing, Yeah
ACC Record: 11-7
MVP: Dyaisha Fair
X-FACTOR: Kyra Wood
After improving from 11 wins for the 2021-22 season to 20 last year, Syracuse fell just short of the NCAA Tournament. Despite upsetting then-No. 14 North Carolina on Feb. 9, the Orange faltered in their ensuing games against ACC foes Notre Dame and Florida State and failed to make a run in the ACC Tournament.
Even though SU ended last season on a rough note, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic this year. Fair is back for her graduate season and should be a shoo-in to score at least 20 points per game.
With a Syracuse core still intact from Legette-Jack’s first season at the helm, expect the Orange to come out of the gates strong and make improvements against their ACC foes. With new additions and an improved sense of familiarity, Syracuse is in a great spot to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.
Photograph taken by Lars Jendruschewitz | Assistant Photo Editor
Published on November 2, 2023 at 1:59 am
