S
yracuse enters its second season under head coach Adrian Autry following its first 20-win season since 2018-19. Autry took over for legendary coach Jim Boeheim and saw mixed success in his first season in charge. There were highlights, like SU’s upset of then-No. 7 North Carolina for its first top-10 victory since 2019. It also came with low points, including a 29-point drubbing to Wake Forest.
Ultimately, Judah Mintz and Quadir Copeland’s guard play along with Maliq Brown’s presence down low wasn’t enough for the Orange, who missed their third straight NCAA Tournament. It’s the first time SU has gone that long without a tournament appearance since the early 1970s, before Boeheim was in charge.
Despite losing Mintz, Copeland and Brown, the Orange brought back marquee names like Chris Bell and J.J. Starling. They bolstered their frontcourt with transfer additions Eddie Lampkin Jr. (Colorado) and Jyare Davis (Delaware). Autry also brought in a talented freshman duo in Elijah Moore and McDonald’s All-American Donavan Freeman, instilling a welcome new look to the program.
Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse men’s basketball will fare in 2024-25:
Zak Wolf
Dancing Again
Record: 22-9
MVP: J.J. Starling
X-FACTOR: Donavan Freeman
It feels like there’s an air of uncertainty surrounding Syracuse this season. Much of that has to do with the number of new players on the roster. Though in my eyes, this will bode well for the Orange. Autry has used the transfer portal much more than Boeheim did, giving the roster more firepower.
In Autry’s first season, he was coaching with a roster Boheim built. But with most of those players gone, Autry’s coaching prowess will shine through. Syracuse’s combination of youth and experience is a strong point. The Orange can rely on veterans like Starling, Bell and Lampkin while Moore and Freeman get up to speed, two players I see playing larger roles as the year progresses.
Freeman’s talent is something to behold. As a 6-foot-9 forward who can put the ball on the floor and shoot, he presents a skillset Syracuse hasn’t seen in a long time. Benny Williams was a similar versatile forward, though Freeman is a much more polished version. Despite his talent, the Orange won’t have to rely on Freeman too much to create his own offense. Without Mintz and Copeland, Starling will become the focal point of the offense and continue his much-improved play during the second half of last season.
All these factors combined together are why I see Syracuse making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.
Aiden Stepansky
Bubble trouble
Record: 20-11
MVP: J.J. Starling
X-FACTOR: Donavan Freeman
Syracuse is a fairly revamped team this season. Out with the old of Mintz, Copeland and Brown, I like the upgrades Autry made. Bringing in experienced talent like Jaquan Carlos, Davis and Lampkin brings SU a veteran presence it lacked last season. And the additions of Freeman and Moore give Autry needed depth.
While I see Starling having an improved season and leading the team from October through February, the Orange’s fate in returning to March Madness relies heavily on the shoulders of Freeman.
As SU’s top recruit since Carmelo Anthony, Freeman has immense pressure to succeed in year one. If Freeman is really a top freshman in the nation, this team’s ceiling improves drastically. I see Freeman starting slower than expected, however, not truly finding his groove until around mid-to-late December. Though, once Freeman gets going, he will emerge as one of the top players on the Orange for the rest of the way.
Making the tournament isn’t easy. And I believe conference realignment only hurts SU’s chances with more bids likely going to the Big Ten and SEC. Syracuse will float around the .500 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play but have a worse record in nonconference play than a year ago. The Orange will again be on the bubble, and I see them falling on the outside looking in for the fourth season in a row.
Justin Girshon
Not there yet
Record: 19-12
MVP: Eddie Lampkin Jr.
X-FACTOR: Chris Bell
While Syracuse’s once highly-touted class of 2022 recruits were expected to be one of its better classes in recent memory, the group didn’t live up to expectations. Mintz, Copeland, Brown and Co. never quite gelled.
Now, the Orange have a good mix of veterans and freshmen. The biggest question mark, as Aiden noted, is Freeman’s performances. Yes, he’s the program’s highest-ranked recruit since Anthony. However, he has a lot of raw skills and I’m not sure how quickly that turns into production.
In Lampkin, Davis and Carlos, Syracuse boasts a solid group, but I’m unsure if it moves the needle. Lampkin has proved he can star and shoulder the load on the biggest stages, but I’m curious how Davis and Carlos will adjust to moving to the Power Four.
The most underrated part of the roster is the players Autry retained. Starling turned a corner during ACC play last year. While he’s not the most dominating player, Naheem McLeod is much better suited to play in a reserve role, giving Syracuse size in spurts. Lastly, Bell has proved he can be one of the best 3-point shooters in the conference and his performance will be influential to unlock SU’s perimeter game.
Even with all this said, I’m not sure how much better the Orange are despite their much-needed roster turnover. Though I’m confident with where the program is heading, laying the foundation for the start of a new golden era in 2025.
Photograph by Aidan Groeling | Staff Photographer
Published on October 24, 2024 at 1:34 am
