D
uring his first two years as Syracuse’s head coach, Adrian Autry would walk onto the JMA Wireless Dome court pregame as “I Got the Keys” by DJ Khaled blasted over the stadium speakers. In his unofficial start to Year 3 before SU’s exhibition against Buffalo at the KeyBank Center, Autry walked out to a new song: “MIDDLE CHILD” by J. Cole.
Depending on how the Orange’s season goes, losing the keys might go beyond Autry’s walk-out song — it could be losing his job. Following a 14-19 record last year, the program’s worst since the 1968-69 season, SU’s March Madness drought extended to four years. It’s the longest Syracuse has gone without making the NCAA Tournament since missing six straight from 1967-72.
Trying to restore the “Orange Standard,” Autry, general manager Alex Kline and Co. completely rebuilt the roster. That started with retaining J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman, SU’s two highest scorers from last year, who only played seven games together due to injuries. Alongside their two returnees, the Orange boast one of the top freshmen classes in the country — headlined by Sadiq White Jr. and Kiyan Anthony, Carmelo Anthony’s son.
To round out the squad, Syracuse acquired six players via the transfer portal, notably 2024-25 Atlantic Coast Conference assists leader Naithan George, 3-point sniper Nate Kingz and athletic big man William Kyle III.
Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse men’s basketball’s new-look roster will perform in a pivotal 2025-26 season:
Aiden Stepansky
Living on the edge
Record: 21-10 (11-7 ACC)
MVP: J.J. Starling
X-Factor: Donnie Freeman
Syracuse’s abysmal 2024-25 season caused drastic changes to its roster. The Orange even adjusted their strength and conditioning program, subbing out longtime director Ryan Cabiles for Rob Harris. Autry, Kline and SU’s network of fundraisers came to play this offseason. The question is whether the alterations will be enough to break its NCAA Tournament drought. I foresee one more season of the Orange sitting on their couches in March.
While the additions through the transfer portal and high school ranks will significantly improve Syracuse’s stance in the ACC, I don’t see enough Quad 1 wins in the forecast. The Orange will likely drop their games versus Houston and Kansas in Vegas, mixed with another home matchup with Tennessee. Syracuse’s ACC schedule has more opportunities for big-time wins than last season, but the league will still have far fewer bids than the Southeastern Conference or Big Ten.
With George at his side, I could see Starling in contention for ACC Player of the Year and even end the season leading the conference in points. Either would be a huge development for SU’s March Madness chances. Freeman is the clear X-Factor on this roster following a lost freshman year. If he takes the sophomore leap he’s expected to, all facets of the Orange’s lineup construction will benefit.
The Orange will enter Charlotte needing to make the conference semifinal or final to solidify their stance in the national tournament. SU might be sitting there on Selection Sunday, waiting for its name to be called. But it’ll fall just outside, putting all the pressure on Director of Athletics John Wildhack to ponder a program-altering decision on Autry’s future.
Justin Girshon
Returning to the Standard
Record: 22-9 (11-7 ACC)
MVP: Donnie Freeman
X-Factor: Donnie Freeman
In Autry’s office, the phrase “Orange Standard” is printed on the wall. To the third-year head coach, it means Syracuse will play tough and compete for championships. It’s the standard Jim Boeheim set for the program across his 47-year tenure.
But over the last four years — between Boeheim’s final two and Autry’s first two — this standard hasn’t been met. Autry emphasized that the Orange must get back there consistently, noting it’s what his predecessor did. For the sake of his job, he needs results now.
I believe he’ll get them, leading SU back to March Madness for the first time since 2021. With his best roster since taking over as head coach and a group that fits his vision of playing fast, Syracuse basketball will look how Syracuse basketball is supposed to look — by winning.
To get there, Freeman will be the key to everything. Before his injury last year, he looked to be molding into the future first-round pick he was dubbed to be. Fully healthy, he’ll make a run for most improved player in college basketball, with the Orange going as far as he takes them.
With Starling and George alongside Freeman, Syracuse has among the best trios in the ACC, while Autry and Kline put the perfect complementary pieces around them. It might come down to Selection Sunday, but SU will hear its name called. From there, anything can happen. But one thing should be clear — Autry will help SU get closer to the “Orange Standard.”
Cooper Andrews
If not now, when?
Record: 22-9 (12-6 ACC)
MVP: Naithan George
X-Factor: Sadiq White
The Orange have put their chips in order to return to the NCAA Tournament. Putting the work in — and securing the financial commitment — to convince Starling and Freeman to return, and complete Autry’s most successful offseason of his three-year tenure, Syracuse has to be March Madness-bound now, right?
For the sake of not having to see a nice guy like Autry take a buyout at the end of the season, I’m predicting that the Orange will get back to the Big Dance. They’ll do it via a late-season run in the ACC Tournament, which is likely the only realistic path for Syracuse to enter as a late-blooming bubble team.
As Aiden and Justin already mentioned, SU’s roster is more ready to compete than it’s ever been under Autry, and though there may be a few early-season bumps on the schedule, the Orange can — and should — nab at least 20 victories.
Why is this year different? For me, it starts and ends with George. Starling needs to be the scorer who puts Syracuse over the edge, but he can’t be that player without George facilitating at a high level. I think George is ready to take an even further step forward from last season with Georgia Tech and captain Syracuse’s offense to a high-flying, attack-from-all-angles brand of basketball.
It’s clear the Orange sought after George because they thought a floor general like him could elevate them into the NCAA Tournament. And I believe they’re exactly right. Syracuse will stun central New York and muster a (short-lived) March Madness run to close Autry’s third season.
Photograph by Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
Published on October 30, 2025 at 12:04 am