Syracuse has probably had the best start of the season compared to any team in the nation. Three weeks of play has gone by since Syracuse started the season ranked 24 and has pole vaulted into the top 10 at number 7. With that said some of the Orangemen success wouldn't be possible without the big performances by their front court and new weapon Wesley Johnson. Wes Johnson has been tremendous for the orange so far. Most people would've counted 'cuse out of any type of contention in the Big East and definitely wouldn't have them in any top 10 poll. Everyone predicted them to be done with nobody to lead the team. Especially since sensational freshman point guard Johnny Flynn left for the pros.
On the contrary Wesley Johnson the newcomer proved he could strap Syracuse on his back and launch this team to the top. Most have never heard of him; I hadn't heard of him until I watched him on ESPN play in Madison Square Garden. He helped Jim Boeheim's team to two great wins over Cal and The defending NCAA champs North Carolina.
A little background information before we get into just how good he really is. He's from a place many probably can't pronounce Corsicana, Texas. A junior but hasn't always played for Syracuse, he had to sit last year out after transferring from Iowa State.
He was successful in his 2 years at Iowa State; averaging 12 ppg and 7 rpg. In his freshman season Johnson set the school record for blocks with 33. He was named to the Big 12 all rookie team. In his Sophomore year his stats stayed about the same.Wes' scoring stayed consistent averaging 12 ppg. However, his rebounding average dropped to 4 rpg due to an ankle injury. This sat him on the bench for most of the season. Despite that he put up at least 20 against big schools like Kansas, Kansas St. and Oklahoma St. Although the injury sidelined Johnson for a majority season he still made Honorable Mention for All Big 12 team.
Fast forward to this year nothing has changed but the numbers in the stat line. This season has proved to be Wesley Johnson's best one yet. He started off the season with 12 points 8 Rebs and 6 steals against Albany in the season opener. If you haven't watched or heard of this guy lately you've been sleeping on a potential player of the year candidate. Since the start of the season Wes has just gotten better and better. Just recently in the 2k Classic at MSG he was named MVP of the tournament averaging 20+ ppg and 9 rebounds. During his championship run he put up 17 points and 11 rebounds against Cal. Then the next game scored 25 points and 8 rebounds against UNC.
He just annihilates defenses. Johnson is big and finesse, oh he can knock the tre ball down. Reminds me of a freshman back in '03 who led the Orange to an NCAA Championship, Carmelo Anthony. Nobody knows yet if he's gonna take 'cuse back to the college basketball promise land but from the looks of it he's got this team headed in the right direction.
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