Jerami Grant exceeded unrealistic expectations (Orange player reports)

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Syracuse's Jerami Grant soars in for a dunk in an NCAA tournament game against Western Michigan.

(Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com)

The Syracuse University basketball team's 2013-14 season ended with Saturday's 55-53 loss to Dayton in the NCAA tournament's third round at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo.

The season began with the hope and excitement of 25 consecutive wins, but it ended with the disappointment of six losses in the Orange's last nine games.

How did each player fare this season? Did they meet or exceed expectations? What goals should they have for the offseason? What will their roles be next year? And, in some cases, will they even be back next year?

JERAMI GRANT

Sophomore, 6-8, 210 pounds
Final stats: 12.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg

2013-14 season

For a guy who had averaged a mere 3.9 points and 3 rebounds per game as a freshman, Jerami Grant had some unrealistic expectations put upon him entering the 2013-14 season. He met them.

Grant, the Orange's hyper-athletic forward, increased his scoring average to 12.1 points per game and his rebounding numbers to a team-high 6.8 per game.

Grant's combination of height, length and athleticism made him one of the most electric players in the ACC this past season. He was a Top 10 Moment just waiting to happen. His tip-slams were the kind that made his own teammates' jaws drop.

Grant began the year as Syracuse's sixth man, continuing the recent tradition of players like James Southerland, Dion Waiters, Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine. When starting center Dajuan Coleman went down with a season-ending knee injury, Grant moved into the starting lineup. He responded with six double-doubles in his 20 games as a starter.

He had a team-high seven double-doubles on the year. A lower back strain slowed him late in the season, forcing him to the bench for the second half of games against Maryland and Virginia and then causing him to sit out SU's loss to Georgia Tech.

When he returned to the lineup, Grant immediately made an impact again. He averaged 17 points in his first three games back.

Grant was one of Syracuse's most important players this season, a fact made obvious when Syracuse lost to Dayton in the NCAA tournament on a night when Grant had just four points and six rebounds.

Offseason

Grant could enter the NBA draft. His potential is so great that he would be a first-round pick despite the fact that his overall game needs a lot of work.

Grant's shooting range barely extends out to 15 feet. He was a 49.6 percent shooter for the year, but he attempted just five 3-point shots. He made none. Opposing teams were content to let him shoot from 15 to 16 feet. They would leave him open, offering up a shot rather than give him a chance to slash by the defender and get to the basket. The real telling sign of Grant's shooting limitations was when he would pass or drive to the basket anyway rather than take the open shot.

Whether he enters the NBA draft or returns to Syracuse for his junior year, Grant must work on his jumper and his ball-handling. His shot really isn't that bad, but he needs to get more comfortable facing the basket. Improved ball-handling will broaden his game, too. Right now, he gets to the basket either by taking one dribble and launching himself at the rim or taking a dribble or two and then spinning to his left. Word is getting around. Dayton played him for the spin move in the NCAA tournament.

Grant also needs to add some strength to his frame. His success inside is remarkable considering he's 6-foot-8 but weighs just 210 pounds.

Next season

Grant could be in the NBA next year, but just for now, let's say he comes back for his junior year.

With C.J. Fair graduating, Grant will be the most experienced forward on the Syracuse roster. He will be asked to fill a much bigger role. Instead of playing off Fair, Grant will be the primary forward in the SU offense.

Defensively, Grant is one of the best forwards to ever play the backline of SU's 2-3 zone defense. He is remarkably quick. He can go from 18 feet out on the wing to back down on the short corner in a blink. His long arms make him a defensive terror when setting traps in the corners.

How great is Grant's potential?

It's been over 10 years since Syracuse's leading scorer also averaged 10 rebounds per game. That player was Carmelo Anthony in 2003. Before Anthony, the last player to lead Syracuse in scoring while also pulling down 10 rebounds a game was Billy Owens in 1991.

Grant could be the next player to accomplishment that feat.

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