Hours after reports surfaced that veteran starting center Bourama Sidibe would miss the next month with another knee injury, the Syracuse basketball team cruised past Pace, 79-60, in the first of two exhibition games this season.

What You Need To Know

  • Syracuse beat Pace, 79-60 Wednesday night in the first exhibition game of the year

  • Starting center Bourama Sidibe sat out after having a knee procedure that will keep him sidelined at least four weeks

  • Villanova transfer Cole Swider scored 21 points to lead the way, while Cornell alum Jimmy Boeheim added 19

  • The Orange host Le Moyne in the second and final exhibition game Monday night at 7 pm

Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, entering his 46th season as head coach at his alma mater, confirmed after the game Sidibe would miss the next 4-5 weeks recovering from a procedure on his right knee. The graduate student had two operations on his left leg last year, causing him to miss the entire 2020-21 season. 

The Orange had no troubles playing without him against the Division II Setters, whose tallest player is three inches shorter than Sidibe's replacement, 6-11 junior Jesse Edwards. Edwards converted six of his seven field goal attempts, scoring 12 points along with five rebounds and four blocked shots against the overmatched Northeast-10 opponent.

Villanova transfer Cole Swider had a game-high 21 points in his unofficial Syracuse debut, hitting five of his seven three-point shots, while also pulling down six rebounds and handing out three assists. Jimmy Boeheim, the eldest son of the head coach and a grad transfer from Cornell, stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a game-best three steals. Younger brother Buddy added 9 points on three three-pointers, while freshman Benny Williams had 7 points and led all rebounders with nine.

Syracuse missed 13 free throws in the victory, which Boeheim pointed to afterwards as a point of emphasis in the team's upcoming practices. The Orange host crosstown Division II rival Le Moyne in the final exhibition game Monday night at 7 p.m. The regular season opener is scheduled for Nov. 9 at the Carrier Dome against Patriot League foe Lafayette.