Syracuse’s depth at the point takes hit

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is dealing with a little uncertainty as his No. 16 Orange head into their season opener.

Injuries to the team’s three point guards — starter Frank Howard and backups Howard Washington and Jalen Carey — forced Boeheim to use shooting guard Tyus Battle at the point in the team’s two exhibition games, against Saint Rose and Le Moyne. The Orange, who easily beat both Division II teams, open the season Tuesday night at home against Eastern Washington.

“We won’t know anything until probably right about game time,” Boeheim said. “At least now we’ve had two games ... with Tyus handling the ball and doing stuff. That’s good for us. We’ll see who’s ready.

“These games hurt us a little bit because we’re playing out of position, so I think it has a little less value from that standpoint,” he said. “Tyus is much better when he is off the ball and can make his plays. When he’s doing the point, it’s just not the same.”

Howard is dealing with an ankle injury and is out of the walking boot he was wearing in mid-October, but he’s doubtful for the opener.

Carey is recovering from a sprained ankle in the Orange’s camp-opening scrimmage two weeks ago, and Washington is close to returning from surgery on torn ligaments in his right knee, a season-ending injury in January.

Still, the Orange coaching staff expects big things right from the opening tip.

“We’re in a good state of mind,” assistant coach Gerry McNamara said. “We have the right pieces. We’re as deep as we’ve been in a long time. We’re in a good position.

“We just have to make sure that we come together and play selflessly.

“If we do those things, I think we’re going to be in good shape.”

Alabama

Guard Riley Norris will miss the start of the season after having a cardiac ablation procedure on his heart. Tide coach Avery Johnson said Norris had the procedure because his heart was beating at an accelerated rate. Norris is Alabama’s most experienced player after seeing action in 110 games and starting 57. He is averaging 6.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during his career.

Ohio State

Forward Micah Potter, a 6-9 junior, is transferring two days before the season opener. Potter dealt with ankle injuries his first two years and has not met expectations that he would become a dominant inside player. Potter, of Mentor, Ohio, appeared in 59 games with 16 starts, averaging 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 46 percent.

Kentucky

Junior guard Brad Calipari, the son of coach John Calipari, will redshirt this season. Calipari, a two-time Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll member, is scheduled to graduate with a communications degree and plans to enter graduate school. He will practice and travel with the team and have two seasons of eligibility remaining.