The first day of former Duke point guard Greg Paulus' new career begins today when he'll go through his first official practice as a member of the Syracuse football team.

The former standout high school quarterback is trying to win the job as the Orange starting signal caller.

"I am excited to be starting practice," Paulus told me last night. "I am very anxious to get out three with my teammates and put the helmet on again. We, as a team, worked hard this summer, and I am hoping to make Syracuse a better team in any way I can."

Currently, Paulus is listed third on the school's depth chart behind holdovers Ryan Nassib, a redshirt freshman, and senior Cameron Dantley.

"I knew before making a choice on football or a school that nothing was guaranteed," Paulus said. "I know I have to compete and earn a starting job, and I look forward to that opportunity."

Syracuse's season-opener is at home against Minnesota on Sept. 5.

LANDESBERG EXCITED ABOUT FRESH START

You won't find a bigger fan of former Virginia coach Dave Leitao than Cavaliers star Sylven Landesberg.

However, Landesberg is excited about arrival of new coach Tony Bennett in Charlottesville.

"It was tough at first because of the relationship I developed with Coach Leitao," Landesberg admitted. "He was one of the big factors in me going to Virginia."

But after Landesberg spoke to Klay Thompson, who played for Bennett last season at Washington State, and got a chance to know his new coach, his concerns were alleviated.

"Klay told me that Coach Bennett is a great guy, and I can already see that," Landesberg said.

Landesberg said he turned down opportunities to play for the U.S. teams overseas and also the chance to play at the LeBron James Skills Academy camp in order to work on his game and be prepared for his sophomore campaign.

"I wanted to stay focused," he said. "I got criticized for not going to those events, and it was hard turning them down."

One of the key differences this summer for Landesberg was that instead of trying to bulk up – as was the case with his previous strength coach – he has worked on his core.

Landesberg played at 211 pounds last season and is down to 205.

"I feel a lot more explosive and athletic," he said. "Last year I felt a little heavy but strong. Now I still have that strength but am faster and can jump higher."

RANDOM NOTES: Congrats to Bridgton Academy coach Whit Lesure on being selected into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. The induction for Lesure, who has won more than 500 games and a half-dozen Class A title (including three straight from 2005-07) with New Hampton and Bridgton, is on Oct. 9 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. ... Kyrie Irving had 26 points and won Most Outstanding Player honors in leading the USA East team to a 105-104 win against Canada in the title game of the Global Games in Oregon. ... Harrison Barnes scored 46 in a semifinal contest with his USA Midwest team. ... Josh Selby, who de-committed from Tennessee last month, will visit UConn on Wednesday. ... Jared Sullinger (Ohio) had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead Team USA to an 85-83 win against Canada in the adidas Nations championship game in Dallas. ... Scout.com's Evan Daniels reports that Xavier's new head coach Chris Mack, with the help of associate coach Pat Kelsey, has landed a top 100 player in North Carolina wing Jay Canty. The Musketeers already have another top 100 kid, Jordan Latham, in the fold. ... Pittsburgh picked up former Ohio State pledge Cameron Wright, a wing out of Ohio.