Syracuse basketball is staring at a familiar question: can the Orange get back to March Madness after five straight seasons on the outside looking in?
That drought stands in sharp contrast to a stretch not all that long ago when Syracuse was a top-four seed in six straight NCAA Tournaments. The program moved on from Adrian Autry this past March and made its next bet on another familiar name, hiring Gerry McNamara after he guided Siena to the NCAA Tournament and came close to toppling No. 1-seeded Duke in the Round of 64.
The early returns, though, have not exactly screamed instant revival. Syracuse got beat 72-52 by UConn in its first exhibition, then had to grind to get past Siena, the team McNamara coached just last season. That leaves the Orange in a spot where optimism is present, but only in measured doses.
The market has noticed. The ACC media preseason poll placed Syracuse 11th in the 18-team league earlier this month, and KenPom opened the Orange at No. 80 in Division I. DraftKings lists Syracuse at +14000 to win the ACC regular season title, while BetMGM has the Orange at +25000 to win the national championship.
Those numbers make one thing clear: nobody is projecting Syracuse to crash the title picture right away. But there is at least a lane for the Orange to take a meaningful step forward in 2026-27.
This season, the real question is whether McNamara can turn a roster packed with new pieces into an offense that actually works. Gavin Doty and Aiden Tobiason have already shown they can score in college. Kiyan Anthony should have a bigger role after averaging eight points as a freshman, and Sadiq White brings athleticism at forward with plenty of room to grow.
The more intriguing reason for optimism may be on the other end. KenPom projects Syracuse 59th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, which would be a significant jump from where the Orange finished a year ago. Garwey Dual’s presence on the perimeter and Luke Wilson’s rim protection point to a team that should be longer and more physical than last season’s group.
Syracuse also has chances to collect résumé-building wins. The schedule includes Nov. 9 against Indiana, Nov. 15 at St. John’s, Dec. 1 at Oklahoma, Dec. 19 against Providence, Jan. 5 against Duke, Jan. 9 at Miami, Jan. 16 against Louisville and Feb. 3 against Virginia.
That home slate matters. Three of the ACC’s preseason top four teams - Duke, Louisville and Virginia - are set to visit the Dome, giving Syracuse a real chance to snag a few big home wins.
Still, expectations have to stay grounded. Syracuse lost its top five scorers from a team that was already underwhelming, and the +25000 national title odds reflect just how steep the climb would be from here.
The more realistic target is simply getting back to the NCAA Tournament. McNamara inherited a roster that needed a jolt, then rebuilt it with experienced guards, size and better defensive pieces.
The Orange do not need to become a powerhouse overnight. They need discipline on defense, enough scoring from Doty and Tobiason, and a sophomore leap from Anthony.
If that comes together, Syracuse can at least get back into the March Madness conversation. And after five years away from the bracket, that would count as real progress.
In Other News...
Former Syracuse Guard Is Suddenly One Step From The NBA
Quadir Copeland is suddenly right on the doorstep of the NBA after signing a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets, a sharp turn for a player who went undrafted but kept his name in the conversation with a strong showing in Summer League. For Syracuse fans, it is another reminder of how quickly a former Orange guard can go from college standout to a legitimate pro opportunity, especially after building his path through stops at McNeese State and North Carolina State as well.
Copeland now has a real chance to make his NBA debut soon, with Houston potentially using him in an upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks. Even before that first appearance, the move signals how much the Rockets valued what they saw this summer, and it gives Copeland a clear opening to prove he belongs at the next level after taking the long road through college and into the professional ranks. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Looks Sharp Early But One Orange Question Still Lingers
Syracuse came out looking organized and energetic against Niagara at KeyBank Center, using a steady first-half effort to take a 33-26 lead into the break in Buffalo. The Orange showed enough balance to keep control without having to lean on one burst, and the early minutes suggested a team settling in quickly on a neutral floor.
The first half also offered a useful snapshot of where Syracuse stands right now, with contributions spread around and the kind of pace that can make a game feel comfortable even when the margin is still modest. Still, the bigger question remains whether that early sharpness can hold up once Niagara starts making adjustments and the Orange are asked to sustain it for a full 40 minutes. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Heads To North Carolina With One Huge Problem To Solve
Syracuse heads to North Carolina on Saturday night trying to steady a season that has already slipped into a difficult place. The Orange are 2-4 overall and still searching for their first ACC win, and the trip to Chapel Hill comes with the kind of pressure that tends to follow a conference losing streak.
The bigger concern is the quarterback situation, which has complicated almost everything for a Syracuse offense already trying to find its footing. North Carolina, meanwhile, arrives at 4-2 and coming off consecutive wins, so the Orange will need a cleaner, more settled performance than they have produced so far if they hope to leave with any momentum. [Read more 🡒]