Syracuse basketball has officially wrapped up its non-conference slate, and the Orange head into the holiday break sitting at 9-4. The final tune-up? A dominant win over Stonehill that sent the team into its ACC opener on New Year’s Eve with a bit of momentum-and a whole lot to think about.
So, what did we learn about this year’s Syracuse squad through the first 13 games? Well, it’s been a little bit of everything: flashes of real potential, a few frustrating letdowns, and more than a few unanswered questions. Let’s dig into what’s working, what’s not, and what it all might mean as the Orange prepare to dive into the grind of ACC play.
What’s Working for Syracuse So Far
William Kyle III is anchoring the paint-and then some
When Syracuse brought in William Kyle III from UCLA, the hope was he’d bring size, rim protection, and a veteran presence. So far, he’s delivered all that and more.
The senior center is averaging 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and an eye-popping 3.3 blocks per game while shooting a scorching 68.4% from the field. He’s second in the nation in blocks and top-10 in the ACC in rebounding.
Simply put, Kyle has been a defensive game-changer and a steady interior scorer-exactly what this team needed.
Naithan George is finding his rhythm
George, a transfer from Georgia Tech, has started to settle in as the floor general. Over the last two games, he’s averaged 22 points with nine assists and just two turnovers-numbers that suggest he’s getting more comfortable in the system.
He’s also hitting 81% from the free-throw line, which ranks him 12th in the ACC. If George continues to play with this kind of control and scoring punch, it could elevate Syracuse’s offense in a big way.
J.J. Starling’s deep ball is coming alive
Last season, Starling struggled from three, shooting just 26.8%. But through the early part of this year, he’s up to 35.1% from beyond the arc.
That’s a notable jump and a welcome sight for a team that’s otherwise struggled from deep. Starling’s 20-point performance against Stonehill was another reminder that he’s capable of carrying the scoring load when needed.
Bench production is trending up
Syracuse’s depth is starting to show some teeth. Freshman Kiyan Anthony is averaging 10.9 points per game and has provided instant offense off the bench.
Tyler Betsey, a sophomore forward, chips in 8.1 points per game. And while Sadiq White Jr. has been starting in place of the injured Donnie Freeman, his 7.9 points per game suggest he’ll remain a valuable contributor once he returns to a reserve role.
This is a bench that can score-and that matters in the grind of ACC play.
Defense: A complete turnaround
Last season, Syracuse gave up nearly 78 points per game. This year?
That number is down to 64.8, good for 26th in the country. Opponents are shooting just 39.0% from the field, which ranks 27th nationally.
The Orange are contesting shots, protecting the rim (thanks in large part to Kyle), and generally making life tougher for opposing offenses. That’s a major shift-and it’s one of the biggest reasons for optimism moving forward.
Turnover margin and shot-blocking dominance
Syracuse is taking care of the ball, averaging just 10.7 turnovers per game while forcing 14.5 from opponents. That +4 margin has translated into a five-point advantage in points off turnovers (17.5 to 12.1). Add in the fact that the Orange lead the ACC and rank second nationally in blocks per game (7.2), and you’ve got a team that’s creating extra possessions and protecting the rim at an elite level.
A quality win-and a near miss
The Orange’s best win so far came in the ACC/SEC Challenge, edging Tennessee in a tight one. With the Volunteers sitting at No. 25 in the NET, that win counts as a quad-one victory.
They nearly added a second in Las Vegas, pushing Houston to overtime before falling by four. Houston is No. 14 in the NET, so that one still stings-but it also showed that Syracuse can hang with top-tier opponents when they’re clicking.
Where the Orange Need to Improve
The Hofstra loss looms large
There’s no sugarcoating it: losing at home to Hofstra by one point was a gut punch. With the Pride sitting at No. 84 in the NET, that’s a quad-three loss-and it could come back to haunt Syracuse if they’re on the bubble come March. These are the kinds of games tournament teams can’t afford to drop.
Second-half collapse vs. Iowa State
In Vegas, Syracuse played three high-level teams in three days. They gave Houston a scare and stayed competitive with Kansas.
But against Iowa State, the wheels came off. After trailing by just one at the break, the Orange were outscored 60-30 in the second half.
Final score: 95-64. That’s the kind of loss that sticks with a team-and raises questions about depth, fatigue, and focus.
Free throws are a major issue
Syracuse is shooting just 59.0% from the line-dead last in the country. That’s not just a bad stat; it’s a game-losing issue.
Missed free throws helped cost them the Houston and Hofstra games. And it’s not just the big men-several guards are struggling too.
If this doesn’t improve, it could be the difference between a win and a loss in multiple close ACC games.
Rebounding and three-point shooting still shaky
The Orange are getting slightly out-rebounded, 37.3 to 36.5 per game, and they’re giving up too many offensive boards. That’s a recipe for second-chance points, and it’s something that needs to be cleaned up.
On the perimeter, Syracuse is shooting just 30.8% from three. Outside of Starling, no one is really stretching the floor consistently.
That’s a problem in a league filled with capable shooters and disciplined defenses.
Freeman’s absence has been felt
Sophomore forward Donnie Freeman was leading the team in scoring at 17.8 points per game through the first four contests. But he’s been sidelined with a lower-body injury ever since.
Syracuse expects him back for the ACC opener against Clemson-and they’ll need him. The Orange have managed without him, but his scoring punch and presence on the glass are sorely missed.
His return could help balance the rotation and take pressure off the backcourt.
Playing down to the competition
Even in wins, Syracuse hasn’t always looked sharp. Narrow victories over Monmouth (5 points), Saint Joseph’s (8), Mercyhurst (14), and Northeastern (8) won’t do much to impress selection committees.
These were games the Orange needed to dominate-and they didn’t. That inconsistency raises red flags about focus and killer instinct.
Metrics tell the story-and it’s not great (yet)
Right now, Syracuse sits at No. 88 in the NET rankings and No. 78 in KenPom. Their offensive efficiency (No. 105) and defensive efficiency (No. 64) are both middle of the pack.
The strength of schedule? A dismal No.
- That’s not a tournament resume.
The good news? The ACC schedule offers plenty of chances to stack quad-one and quad-two wins.
But the Orange can’t afford to tread water-they need to go out and earn them.
Looking Ahead
There’s a lot to like about this Syracuse team. The defense is vastly improved.
The bench is contributing. The transfers are starting to gel.
And the team has shown flashes of being able to compete with some of the best in the country.
But there are also glaring issues-free-throw shooting, rebounding, three-point efficiency, and consistency against weaker opponents-that could derail things quickly in a rugged ACC.
The Orange open conference play against Clemson on New Year’s Eve. With Donnie Freeman expected back, they’ll be closer to full strength.
From here on out, every game matters. If Syracuse wants to be in the NCAA Tournament conversation come March, the margin for error is thin-and the opportunities are right in front of them.
Time to find out what this team is really made of.