Syracuse closed out its exhibition slate with a 2-1 mark after beating Niagara on Saturday afternoon, but Gerry McNamara still has a few things he wants cleaned up before the games start counting for real.
One of the biggest? Getting sophomore guard Kiyan Anthony more comfortable and more dangerous on offense.
After the win, McNamara said he needs to do a better job of creating scoring chances for Anthony and of getting him involved in actions that play to his strengths. The message was clear: Syracuse has to be more intentional about putting the ball in the hands of a player McNamara believes can score.
Anthony’s preseason, though, was uneven from start to finish. He put up six points on 2-of-11 shooting in the loss to UConn, then went scoreless in eight minutes against Siena.
McNamara later said Anthony was dealing with knee tendinitis and that they were managing it. Against Niagara, Anthony played 13 minutes and finished without a point.
It wasn’t clear whether that lighter workload was tied to the knee and “load management,” or if it reflected where he stands in the rotation.
Still, the fact that McNamara specifically called him out in a positive way says plenty about how the staff views him.
Anthony’s first year with the Orange offered a glimpse of what he can be. As a freshman in 2025-26, he appeared in 29 games and averaged 8.0 points and 1.4 rebounds.
The talent was obvious. So were the limitations.
He had the skill and feel, but he was also slight, and that made it tougher for him to manufacture offense consistently or hold up on the defensive end and on the glass.
There’s a lot to like in his game. He reads the floor well, understands where he needs to be, and seems to have a strong feel for spacing and ball movement. He also has a smoothness to the way he plays; nothing about him looks forced or frantic.
But the next step is still pretty obvious. He’s in that awkward middle ground right now.
He’s not explosive enough to simply blow by defenders and live at the rim, and he hasn’t yet become a reliable enough outside shooter to punish teams that way either. Last season, he shot 25.4 percent from 3-point range, and he didn’t hit a three in exhibition play.
So the path forward has to come from somewhere. He needs to get stronger and more athletic if he’s going to create his own shot more often, or he needs to become a steadier shooter. McNamara’s comments pointed to a third route as well: Syracuse can help him find easier looks and better scoring spots.
Being Carmelo Anthony’s son has brought plenty of expectation with it. But Kiyan Anthony is still only a sophomore, and there’s a lot of room for growth.
In Other News...
Syracuse Just Added A Center Who Could Change Its Identity Inside
Syracuse bolstered its frontcourt with the addition of Luke Wilson, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Appalachian State who went through a crowded portal market before settling on the Orange. Wilson had multiple Power Five options on the table, but Syracuses coaching staff proved to be the draw, especially the chance to develop under big man coach Arinze Onuaku.
For a roster looking to define its interior identity, Wilson arrives with a skill set that stands out immediately. He is expected to compete for the starting center job, and his defensive profile is already established after leading the Sun Belt in blocks last season. If that edge carries over, Syracuse may have found a player who changes the way opponents attack the paint. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Gets A Real ACC Test With Momentum Finally Back
Syracuse finally snapped its conference skid with an overtime win, a result that gave the Orange a much-needed lift after a rough stretch in ACC play. Steve Angeli helped lead the way, and now the challenge shifts quickly from relief to reality, with a red-hot SMU team coming to town and the conference race tightening around both sides.
Kevin Jennings has been the centerpiece of SMUs climb, piling up the kind of production that has made him the most prolific passer in Mustangs history and helped position his team near the top of the ACC standings. SMU is tied for second and chasing a fifth straight win, which makes this a far sturdier measuring stick for Syracuse than the one it just passed, with the Orange trying to prove last week was a turning point rather than a one-off. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Found Unexpected Difference Makers In Its Breakthrough ACC Win
Syracuses first ACC win of the season came with a few unexpected names stepping into the spotlight in the 31-30 overtime victory at North Carolina. The Orange finally snapped a conference losing streak that had stretched more than a year, and the performance felt less like a one-off upset than a reminder that help can emerge from all over a roster when a game turns tight late.
Among the players who drew strong PFF grades were freshman offensive lineman Jayden Mann, junior running back Ahmad Miller, true freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III and junior linebacker Zyian Moultrie-Goddard. Their work fed a balanced offensive effort and gave Syracuse enough defensive resistance to survive a one-point thriller, leaving the bigger question now whether these breakout contributions can become part of something more lasting as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]