Syracuse is back on the floor for its second exhibition game of 2026, and the Orange are heading east on I-90 this afternoon for a 2:00 meeting with Siena. The Saints will also unveil their MAAC Championship banner, and for Syracuse, this one is more about look-and-learn than results.
The first exhibition offered a few things to monitor, especially on offense, and Saturday’s matchup should give the Orange a cleaner read. Against UConn, the halfcourt work left plenty to be desired, though that came against a tough opponent and with some pieces missing. That context matters, but it also means this game offers a chance to see whether Syracuse looks sharper with a lighter test in front of it.
One of the biggest names to track is freshman Mark Morano, who is set to make his Syracuse debut with Aidan Tobiason likely out. The question now is what kind of impact Morano can have on the offense.
Can he generate something for himself? Just as important, can he make life easier for Gavin Doty and Kiyan Anthony around him?
Sadiq White Jr. is another player worth watching closely after opening exhibition play as one of Syracuse’s clear bright spots. The sophomore forward was aggressive without forcing things, stayed within the flow, looked for his own shot, hit a couple of threes, and led the Orange with 17 points against UConn.
On a roster loaded with guards and plenty of players needing touches, White stands out as the best forward-sized scoring option. If he keeps producing at anything close to that level, it would mean a lot for the 2026-27 Orange.
The bigger picture for Syracuse is simple: this is a chance to set the tone. Siena wants to play fast this season, with Nevada Smith saying he wants the Saints in the top 10 nationally in tempo. But the Orange should have the athletic edge, and that gives them a chance to control how this game unfolds from the opening stretch.
That said, the real focus will still be on the halfcourt offense. Syracuse shouldn’t reveal the whole playbook here, and nobody should rush to firm conclusions off an exhibition anyway.
But if the Orange are going to look better on that end, this is the kind of game where it should start to show. At the point guard spot in particular, the question is whether Dual can execute the way McNamara expects and stay on the court, or whether Ryan Moesch gets more run there.
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Kiyan Anthony's Early Syracuse Role Just Became A Real Question
Kiyan Anthonys first preseason look for Syracuse didnt last long, but it did serve as an early reminder that the Orange are still in evaluation mode. Anthony logged just eight minutes in the teams opening exhibition, even as he and Sadiq White Jr. are viewed as core returning pieces with the kind of experience Syracuse wants to lean on this season.
For now, the staff appears intent on using the preseason to sort through the new faces and figure out how the rotation should take shape. Anthony will get another chance to push his case in the next preseason game against Niagara, and his role there may say plenty about how quickly Syracuse wants to ramp him back into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Fans Have Two Big Reasons To Watch This Exhibition
Syracuses exhibition against Siena at MVP Arena offers an early look at how Gerry McNamaras team is taking shape, and it comes with a few added layers for Orange fans. Freshman Mark Morano is set to make his Syracuse debut, giving the program its first public glimpse of a newcomer who could factor into the rotation as the season gets underway.
The matchup also brings McNamara against his former school, with Siena now coached by Nevada Smith. Syracuse, meanwhile, will be without Aiden Tobiason because of injury, which slightly alters the mix for a game that is more about evaluation than the final score, but still carries enough storylines to make it worth following closely. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Heads Into UNC Week With A Quarterback Problem Again
Syracuse is heading into its North Carolina prep with the quarterback picture once again up in the air, a frustrating familiar spot for a team trying to steady itself late in the season. Fran Brown gave the latest health update on Malachi Nelson, Steve Angeli and Amari Odom, and the uncertainty at the most important position leaves the Orange trying to piece together a plan while the weeks work begins.
Brown also said wide receiver Elijah Moore is being moved to safety, another sign that Syracuse is searching for answers wherever it can find them. There was at least one encouraging note on the injury front, with linebacker Antoine Deslauriers expected to practice after missing the previous game, but the bigger question still hangs over the offense as the Orange get ready for a trip into ACC play without a confirmed starter under center. [Read more 🡒]