Syracuse men’s basketball is at a bit of a crossroads, and Saturday’s loss to Hofstra only sharpened the spotlight. The Orange bounced back with a win over Mercyhurst, but the bigger story might be what came after the game - when head coach Adrian Autry made it clear he’s standing by his offense.
Autry didn’t mince words. He pushed back on the idea that Syracuse’s offensive system is broken, pointing to shooting percentages, shot selection, and the ability to get to the free-throw line as signs of progress. “There’s nothing wrong with our offense,” he said, emphasizing that Syracuse is getting the looks it wants and putting pressure on the rim consistently.
So, is he right? Well, yes - and no. Let’s break it down.
What Autry Gets Right: A Balanced Scoring Core
First off, Autry’s not wrong when he talks about balance. Syracuse has four players averaging double figures this season, and that’s not something you can brush off. Donnie Freeman leads the way with 17.8 points per game - albeit in just four games - while Kiyan Anthony (10.9 ppg), William Kyle III (10.8), and JJ Starling (10.6) are all contributing steadily.
In Wednesday’s win over Mercyhurst, five players hit double digits. That kind of distribution matters.
It means the Orange aren’t leaning on one guy to carry the offense - a common pitfall for young or rebuilding teams. And it’s not just the core four, either.
Sadiq White, Nate Kingz, and Tyler Betsey have all shown flashes of what they can do offensively. There’s depth here, and that’s a real asset as the season grinds on.
The Injury Factor: A Quiet but Crucial Variable
Autry didn’t bring this up, but it’s worth noting - Syracuse hasn’t been at full strength for much of the season. JJ Starling missed nearly the entire first three games, and Freeman has been sidelined for the last seven with a right foot injury. When your two best pure scorers are missing time, it’s going to impact rhythm, chemistry, and production.
It’s tough to run a clean half-court offense when your top options are in and out of the lineup. And for a team that’s still figuring out its identity under Autry, that kind of instability can’t be ignored.
Where the Offense Falls Short: Free Throws and the Three-Point Line
Now, here’s where Autry’s optimism doesn’t quite line up with the numbers. Let’s start with the free-throw line.
Syracuse entered Wednesday as the worst free-throw shooting team in the country. Yes, they shot 12-of-16 against Mercyhurst - a solid outing - but that doesn’t erase the 9-of-16 performance against Hofstra, a game they lost by one, or the 15-of-28 mark against St.
Joseph’s.
Syracuse is getting to the line - about 22 times per game - but they’re leaving way too many points there. If they were converting at a respectable clip, maybe they would be pushing 80 points per game.
But they’re not. And until that changes, those missed opportunities will continue to haunt them.
Then there’s the three-point shooting. Autry cited a 31-32% clip from deep - but the team actually entered Wednesday shooting 30.0%, ranking 305th nationally.
That’s not just below average; it’s a major red flag. And if you’re struggling from the perimeter and can’t capitalize at the line, your offensive ceiling gets a lot lower.
The “80 Points Per Game” Debate
Autry made the case that if Syracuse hit its free throws, they’d be averaging close to 80 points a night. But context matters.
Eleven games in, four have been against NCAA Tournament-caliber teams. The other seven?
Against programs like Binghamton, Drexel, Mercyhurst, and Hofstra - games where Syracuse should be lighting up the scoreboard.
And yet, the Orange only managed 70 and 76 points against two of those teams. So while the math might technically support Autry’s claim, the quality of competition tells a different story. Scoring 80 against Mercyhurst isn’t the same as doing it against a top-tier ACC defense.
Where Syracuse Can Still Grow
Despite the inconsistencies, there’s room for optimism. The return of Donnie Freeman could be a game-changer.
His ability to draw attention in the paint opens up space for shooters and gives the offense a focal point it’s been missing. That alone could elevate the half-court execution.
Then there’s the development curve. Anthony, Betsey, and White are all freshmen, and they’re still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the college game.
Transfers like Naithan George and Nate Kingz are learning on the fly, too. As these pieces settle in, the offense could start to click in ways it hasn’t yet.
Bottom Line
Autry’s confidence in his offense isn’t entirely misplaced. There are signs of growth, and the team’s balance and ability to attack the rim are legitimate strengths. But the issues - poor free-throw shooting, subpar three-point accuracy, and an inconsistent half-court game - are real, and they’re holding this team back.
Syracuse doesn’t have to be perfect to compete in the ACC. But if they want to take the next step, they’ll need to clean up the fundamentals and get healthy.
The talent is there. Now it’s about putting it all together - one possession at a time.