As Syracuse gears up for a Tuesday night showdown against NC State at the Lenovo Center, there’s more to this matchup than just ACC standings. It’s also a reunion of sorts - a chance for the Orange to face a familiar face in Quadir Copeland, the former Syracuse guard who’s now suiting up for the Wolfpack under head coach Will Wade.
Copeland, who spent two seasons in Orange, started under Jim Boeheim before playing his final year at Syracuse under Adrian Autry. Since transferring, he’s carved out a new chapter in his career - one marked by growth, both on and off the court. He helped McNeese reach the NCAA Tournament before following Wade to Raleigh, and now, he’s showing off a more polished game, especially when it comes to his shooting.
Autry on Copeland’s Evolution
When asked about Copeland’s development, Autry didn’t hesitate to highlight the most noticeable improvement: his perimeter shooting.
“The first thing that’ll stick out is his shooting. Especially his three-point shooting,” Autry said. “That’s probably the biggest thing that jumps out when you look at his development over the last few years.”
But it’s not just the jumper. Autry pointed to Copeland’s all-around growth - his improved assist numbers, better decision-making, and reduced turnovers - as signs of a player who’s maturing in his role. During his time at Syracuse, Copeland had started to shift into a playmaking wing, a role that Autry believed could’ve evolved into a primary ballhandler had he stayed.
“I thought the year he was here for me, he had the ball in his hands more,” Autry said. “He became more of a playmaking wing for us. I think eventually it would’ve progressed into him being more of a main ballhandler - which is what he’s doing now.”
Why Copeland Transferred
As for why Copeland left the program, Autry acknowledged that it was a mix of factors - the changing college basketball landscape, the transition in coaching, and the opportunities that come with the transfer portal.
“With the free market, the opportunities, and the transition with me, I think it was some things that kind of needed to happen,” Autry said. “Ultimately, he made his decision - and it worked out for him. I’m happy that it worked out for him.”
There had been conversations about Copeland’s role moving forward, particularly regarding ballhandling duties. But Autry emphasized that he values having multiple ballhandlers on the floor - a philosophy that leaves room for flexibility, even if others like JJ Starling and Chance Westry were also in the mix.
Naithan George’s Growth Curve
Speaking of point guards, freshman Naithan George has had his own journey this season. Adjusting to a new coaching staff and system is never easy, especially at the point, where the learning curve is steep. But Autry sees a player who’s responding the right way.
“I think he’s hit some tough patches, but I love the way he’s responded,” Autry said. “He’s a worker. I have next-level trust in him.”
George has had to navigate the usual bumps in the road, but Autry praised his attitude, his daily habits, and his commitment to getting better. It’s clear that the coaching staff believes in his trajectory - and that belief hasn’t wavered through the ups and downs.
Lawrence Moten’s Jersey Retirement
Looking ahead to Saturday’s home game against Notre Dame, Syracuse will honor one of its all-time greats: Lawrence Moten. The program’s all-time leading scorer is having his jersey retired, and for Autry - a former teammate and close friend - it’s a moment of pride.
“He was a good friend of mine and a teammate of mine,” Autry said. “He embodied what it meant to be an alum. He was proud, and he had strong feelings about where he played and what that uniform meant.”
Autry plans to share Moten’s story with his current players, hoping to connect the past with the present and instill that same sense of pride in the next generation.
Freshman Center Tiefing Diawara Making Strides
Freshman big man Tiefing “Cheffy” Diawara is another player quietly making progress behind the scenes. A late addition to the roster, Diawara has had to adjust not just to the speed of the college game, but also to a new language and culture.
“The transition, the speed of the game, and the language barrier has slowed his progress a little bit,” Autry said. “But he’s made tremendous progress.”
So much so that Autry admitted he’s considered putting him into games - a sign that Diawara could be on the verge of cracking the rotation.
Fixing Turnovers and Defensive Lapses
One area Syracuse knows it needs to clean up? Turnovers and points allowed. In ACC play, both have been trending in the wrong direction - and Autry didn’t sugarcoat it.
“There’s some careless passes. We have to take care of the basketball and make better decisions,” he said. “The points off the turnovers is a result of that.”
It’s not just about limiting mistakes - it’s about making smarter decisions, especially in crunch time. According to Autry, some of the team’s recent struggles stem from critical turnovers that lead to easy buckets on the other end. When you can’t set up your defense, it’s hard to stay competitive.
Will Wade’s Take on Copeland’s Transformation
On the other side of Tuesday’s matchup, NC State head coach Will Wade offered his own insight into Copeland’s growth - especially his shooting.
“You have to put a little discipline in,” Wade said. “He went this summer to work with Phil Beckner - I think he’s the best shooting coach in the country.
He went out to Phoenix for a week. Phil got his shot right, got his wrist stronger.”
The results have been noticeable. While Wade still prefers Copeland to stick to catch-and-shoot threes rather than off-the-dribble attempts, he praised his guard’s commitment to doing things the right way - and doing them consistently.
Scouting Syracuse: A Talented, Athletic Group
Wade also had high praise for the Orange roster, calling them “uber-talented” and highlighting their backcourt trio of Naithan George, JJ Starling, and Oregon State transfer Kingz. He also noted the athleticism up front - particularly Kyle and freshman Freeman - and the energy that Sadiq White brings off the bench.
“They’re extremely, extremely talented,” Wade said. “We’re going to have to play one of our best games.”
For NC State, the challenge is real - especially at home, where Wade admitted the team hasn’t played its best basketball. But for Syracuse, this is a chance to tighten things up, build off recent lessons, and face a familiar face in Copeland - a player who’s grown into the kind of guard Autry always believed he could become.