Syracuse Offense Under the Microscope: Growing Pains or Real Concerns?
The win column says one thing. The eye test says another.
After Syracuse’s 76-62 win over Division II Mercyhurst on Wednesday night, the Orange moved to 7-4 on the season. But even in victory, questions about the offense continue to swirl - especially with star freshman Donnie Freeman still sidelined.
Head coach Adrian Autry isn’t buying into the criticism. In fact, he’s standing firmly behind his offensive unit, calling out the narrative that something’s broken. But when you dig into the numbers and watch how this team operates in the half-court, especially without Freeman, it’s clear this group is still trying to find its identity.
Let’s break it down.
Three-Point Shooting: Still a Work in Progress
Syracuse’s perimeter shooting has been a glaring issue all season. Heading into Wednesday’s game, the Orange ranked 305th nationally in three-point percentage at just 30.5%.
Against Mercyhurst? They went 4-for-17 from deep.
That’s 23.5% - not exactly the kind of clip that forces defenses to respect the arc.
They don’t lean heavily on the three, ranking 228th in attempts per game, but when you’re struggling to create in the half-court, you either need to be lights out from deep or find other ways to consistently generate offense. Right now, the Orange aren’t doing either at a high level.
A Cluttered Paint: Bigs Who Live at the Rim
William Kyle III and Sadiq White bring energy, athleticism, and toughness. They’re relentless on the glass and bring a physical edge to the frontcourt.
But they’re not floor-spacers - not yet, at least. The two have combined for just eight three-point attempts all season.
That means they’re often stationed near the rim, which clogs the lane and makes it tougher for guards to drive or operate in isolation. When your bigs aren’t pulling defenders out of the paint, it limits your options in the half-court and forces your offense to rely on quick ball movement, cuts, and transition opportunities - areas where Syracuse is still developing consistency.
Youth Movement Still Finding Its Footing
The Orange are a team in transition, and not just on the fast break. With freshmen like Kiyan Anthony, Sadiq White, and Tyler Betsey adjusting to the speed and physicality of the college game, and transfers Nate Kingz and Naithan George still finding their rhythm, there’s an understandable learning curve.
Eleven games in, roles are still being defined. Chemistry is still forming.
And while the flashes are there - especially in the open floor - the half-court execution remains a work in progress. That’s not unusual for a team blending young talent with new faces, but it does put added pressure on the coaching staff to find lineups and schemes that work without Freeman’s dynamic presence.
Coach Autry’s Take: “There’s Nothing Wrong with Our Offense”
Adrian Autry didn’t mince words after the win. He pushed back hard on the idea that Syracuse’s offense is underperforming.
“Oh, yeah, I’ve seen a lot of growth. There’s nothing wrong with our offense,” Autry said postgame.
“We shoot 46, 47% from two-point range. From three?
Right around 31, 32%. We have great balance offensively.”
He acknowledged the struggles at the free-throw line - an area where the Orange have left points on the table - but pointed out that Syracuse gets to the line roughly 22 times per game. That’s a reflection of their ability to pressure the rim, something Autry views as a strength.
“We left some points out there because of our free-throw shooting. If we didn’t leave those points out there… we’d be averaging almost 80 points,” he added.
Autry also emphasized the level of competition Syracuse has faced, noting that the Orange have already played four of the top 10 defenses in the country.
“Let’s stop that. There’s nothing wrong with our offense,” he concluded.
So… Is He Right?
That depends on what lens you’re looking through.
Statistically, Syracuse isn’t a disaster on offense. They’re scoring enough to stay competitive, and they’ve shown flashes of explosiveness, especially when they can get out in transition. But when the game slows down - when they’re forced to execute in the half-court - the cracks start to show.
Without Freeman, their most dynamic offensive weapon, they lack a go-to option who can consistently create his own shot or collapse the defense. The spacing isn’t ideal, the three-point shooting isn’t reliable, and the young core is still adjusting.
Autry’s confidence in his group is important - and not unfounded. There has been growth. But whether that growth is enough to carry Syracuse through ACC play remains to be seen.
What’s Next?
The Orange are back at it Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET, and with conference play looming, the clock is ticking for this team to find cohesion and consistency - especially on the offensive end.
For now, the record says 7-4. But if Syracuse wants to be more than just competitive, they’ll need more than just belief. They’ll need execution.