In 2003, a heralded Syracuse freshman led the team in scoring and rebounding and carried the Orange to a national championship.
Four years later, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim is hoping to get from Paul Harris a fraction of what he saw from Carmelo Anthony.
This year's star freshman was the runaway winner of the Big East preseason rookie-of-the-year award. And the departure of point guard Gerry McNamara suggests that the 6-foot-5 guard from Niagara Falls, N. Y., might have a part to play on the 2006-2007 Orange.
"[Harris] has a lot to learn about the game," Boeheim said. "But we expect him to be able to come in and contribute."
Still, the chances that Harris will be stepping in and averaging 22 points a game are slim to none.
Even in McNamara's absence, Syracuse's starting backcourt will likely consist of sophomore Eric Devendorf and junior Josh Wright, both of whom saw significant minutes last year.
In fact, Penn coach Glen Miller reckons the Quakers won't be seeing that much of the freshman this weekend at the BCA Invitational.
"With all due respect to [Harris], . Syracuse has some talented, experienced players that will make up their core," he said. "They'll look to those guys early in the year, for the most part."
"The strength of our team is going to be the four returning starters," Boeheim pointed out.
So Harris is quickly warming to his role in the supporting cast. The night before Syracuse's first official practice, he called each of the team's four seniors to tell them that his only goal this year was to end their careers as champions.
The next day, he turned up to practice - two days after getting a root canal.
"I wanted to let them know that I'm still a young guy," Harris told The Syracuse Post-Standard. "But I'm going to be there for them, just as I want them to be there for me."
But Harris - listed as the nation's best newcomer by Blue Ribbon yearbook - will have plenty to contribute, thanks to his versatility. At 220 pounds, he is strong enough to help out at both guard positions and at small forward.
And perhaps most crucially for a freshman angling for playing time among a cadre of veterans, the Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) graduate is a standout defender.
Harris, in addition to his inexperience, has a few other reported concerns, including his shooting.
"Just like other freshmen around the country, he's trying to learn a system and develop a comfort level so he can go out there and his talents can come to the forefront," Miller said.
And most agree that the freshman has the potential to become a big name, even if Boeheim might not call it very much this weekend.
