Tyler Roberson’s early-season struggles peaked with five minutes left in Syracuse’s 69-50 victory over Colgate on Saturday.

First the freshman muffed a pass from Michael Gbinije in the paint, and the ball went flying upward as he tried to elevate for a dunk. After regaining possession, Roberson got another chance with no Colgate player in front of him and center Ethan Jacobs lying on the ground.

But he cocked his arm back and bricked a one-handed slam off the side of the rim.

“I think he just needs to adjust to coming off the bench,” fellow freshman Ron Patterson said.

Other teammates agree that Roberson needs to become comfortable playing in a reserve role. Whether that’s the case or not — Roberson was already out of the locker room when media were allowed inside on Saturday — he’s certainly faltered in his first three games this season.

Roberson finished 1-of-8 from the field against the Raiders, missing at least three open shots near the basket.

“Tyler was aggressive. He got good shots,” SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. “I’d like to see him not miss two dunks, but I think he can work on that.”

Roberson back rimmed a 15-footer on one end of the court and allowed Colgate two layup attempts at the other in his first stint on Saturday.

It lasted just 1:17 as Boeheim subbed Jerami Grant right back in for him with 4:39 to play in the first half.

When Roberson came back in two minutes later, he leaped off a baseline cut and caught a Tyler Ennis pass cleanly. But rather than stuffing it home with two hands, he tried to use one. Another miss.

“I think he’s just getting used to it,” Ennis said. “Getting comfortable out there. In practice he’s been really, really good. I think everybody knows that. We’ve got full confidence in him.”

Roberson did grab five rebounds, but his woes continued in the second half. After his two missed dunk attempts with five minutes to play, Roberson bit on a John Fenton up-fake.

He came down on Fenton’s back as the Colgate freshman made the layup and got the foul.

A missed jumper with 1:56 left rounded out the dismal performance for Roberson.

“He just needs to gain some experience a little bit,” Ennis said. “I don’t know if he’s used to coming off the bench, but I think he’ll get used to it.

“There’ll be tougher games and I think we’re going to need him off the bench, whether that’s now or later in the season.”

Published on November 16, 2013 at 11:18 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1