Three Things Syracuse Basketball Needs to Do as 2026 Tips Off
As the calendar gets ready to flip to 2026, Syracuse men’s basketball finds itself at a pivotal point in the season. The Orange, sitting at 9-4, will close out the year with a Wednesday afternoon matchup against a tough Clemson squad at the JMA Wireless Dome. It’s not just the final game of 2025-it’s a tone-setter for the rest of ACC play, and potentially a springboard toward the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021.
So, in the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, here are three things Syracuse needs to lock in on if they want to turn a solid start into something more meaningful down the stretch.
1. Fix the Free Throw Woes
Let’s not sugarcoat it-Syracuse has been ice cold at the free-throw line, and not in a good way. Heading into Wednesday’s game, the Orange are shooting just 59% from the stripe.
That’s dead last in Division I basketball. Out of 365 teams, they’re tied for 365th.
That’s not just a stat-it’s a flashing red warning light.
Free throws are supposed to be the easy points. The ones you bank on when the game slows down and every possession matters.
But right now, they’re costing Syracuse games. Just look at the overtime loss to Houston, where the Orange went 12-of-29 at the line.
That’s a game they could’ve-and probably should’ve-won.
There are some bright spots, though. Freshman guard Naithan George has been trending in the right direction, hitting 17-of-21 from the line over his last two games. If he continues to get to the stripe and convert, that’s a huge boost.
And Donnie Freeman’s return to the lineup couldn’t come at a better time. He’s only played four games so far, but he’s already shown a steady hand at the line, shooting 77.8%.
In his last outing against Monmouth, he went 12-of-14. That kind of efficiency is exactly what Syracuse needs more of as they enter the grind of ACC play.
2. Let the Young Guns Grow
Syracuse’s future is already on the floor-and it’s showing flashes.
Freshmen Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White Jr., along with sophomore Tyler Betsey, have all carved out meaningful minutes early in the season. Each brings something different to the table.
White is an explosive athlete with a nose for the boards. Anthony, as expected, brings scoring punch and playmaking upside.
And Betsey can stretch the floor with his shooting, giving Syracuse a much-needed perimeter threat.
But the keyword here is consistency. Like most young players, they’ve had their ups and downs.
One night they look ready to take over; the next, they disappear for stretches. That’s where head coach Adrian Autry comes in.
If he can start getting more steady, reliable production from his underclassmen, it’ll add real depth to this rotation-and make Syracuse a tougher out in the ACC.
This isn’t just about development for the future. If these three can grow up quickly, it changes the ceiling for this year’s team.
3. Bring the Buzz Back to the Dome
Let’s be honest: the JMA Wireless Dome hasn’t felt like the electric home-court advantage it used to be.
Whether it’s been the weather, the underwhelming non-conference schedule, or just the general vibe around the team, the crowds haven’t shown up the way they used to. Syracuse has had five straight home games with announced attendance under 14,000. That hasn’t happened since the Dome opened back in 1980.
For a program that once packed 30,000 into the building on a regular basis, that’s a serious drop-off.
But here’s the thing-Syracuse fans haven’t gone anywhere. They’re just waiting for a reason to come back in full force.
A team that plays with energy, fights on every possession, and gives the Dome something to believe in? That’ll do it.
And if the Orange can string together some wins in ACC play, especially at home, the noise will return.
This team doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be exciting. Play fast, play hard, and give the fans a reason to make the Dome feel like one of the toughest places to play in college basketball again.
Looking Ahead
Syracuse has a real opportunity in front of them. The ACC is always a grind, but it’s also full of chances to build a tournament résumé. If the Orange can clean up the free throws, get more from their young core, and reignite the energy inside the Dome, 2026 could be the year they finally break through again.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together-starting Wednesday against Clemson.