Key contributors included seniors Arinze Onuaku and Andy Rautins, juniors Rick Jackson and Wesley Johnson, sophomores Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph and freshmen Mookie Jones, DaShonte Riley, James Southerland and Brandon Triche.

Although widely expected to finish near the middle of the league, the Orange captured its eighth Big East regular season title, and second outright, as well as the No.

Syracuse lost its starting backcourt from the previous season as point guard Jonny Flynn declared for the 2009 NBA draft and was taken with the sixth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Orange also lost one scholarship senior, power forward Kristof Ongenaet and one transfer, center Sean Williams.

Sources: Roster Last update: February 6, 2019 The departure of Flynn left many college basketball observers pessimistic about the Orange.