Syracuse’s first win of the Gerry McNamara era came with a clear early theme: the Orange can get a lot more dangerous if Gavin Doty and Sadiq White keep cleaning up the glass.
In Monday’s 74-58 win over New Haven, both players turned in double-doubles. Doty finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while White added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Together, they gave Syracuse a steady lift on both ends, helping the Orange control the flow offensively while also winning the battle on the boards.
That kind of production matters for a team trying to define itself early in the season, even if a win over New Haven won’t tell the whole story about where Syracuse is headed. What it does offer is a first look at how pieces are fitting together now that official game action is underway.
The rebounding angle stands out immediately. Last season, Syracuse ranked last among the 18 ACC teams in total rebounds, and the issue went beyond just size. The Orange also lacked consistent effort from players outside of William Kyle and Donnie Freeman when it came to tracking down misses.
That’s why White’s role is worth watching so closely. Syracuse may spend stretches leaning into offense and smaller lineups, and that could even mean White playing the five. If he can keep showing the ability to attack the glass in those looks, it gives the Orange a much better chance to hold up on the boards no matter who is on the floor.
White averaged just 3.3 rebounds per game last season, even though he was often among the taller players out there, albeit in a very different role. Monday suggested that number could climb, and that would be a welcome development for Syracuse.
Doty’s performance may have been even more eye-opening. At 6-foot-5, he still managed to out-rebound White by three, and that kind of guard production can change the shape of a game. A backcourt player who is willing to fight for position and chase down misses gives Syracuse something extra it badly needs.
Double-doubles always carry weight in college basketball, and Syracuse got two of them in the same night. The next question is whether White and Doty can do it again Thursday against Central Connecticut State.
In Other News...
Gerry McNamara Just Sent A Clear Message To Two Young Orange Pieces
Syracuses season-opening win over New Haven gave Gerry McNamara an early look at two young pieces who are expected to matter as the year unfolds, and he did not treat their nights the same. Sophomore forward Sadiq White gave the Orange the kind of production the staff has been waiting for, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a performance McNamara said matched the standard he believes White should bring.
Freshman point guard Ryan Moesch, meanwhile, left a more complicated impression. He did hand out 5 assists, which speaks to the playmaking upside Syracuse saw in him, but McNamara was blunt about the overall showing and made it clear there is still a long way to go. For a team trying to sort out its rotation early, the contrast between Whites steady start and Moeschs rougher debut is the kind of message that can shape the next few weeks. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Heads Into Clemson Week With One Big Concern Growing
With Clemson coming to town for homecoming, Syracuse is trying to turn the week into more than just another ACC date on the schedule. Athletic director Brian Blair made the case for a stronger showing at the Dome, a reminder that the atmosphere around a marquee game matters as much as the matchup itself. It comes at a time when the Orange are also managing the usual midseason mix of roster updates and injury questions, with head coach Fran Brown offering a few notes on where things stand.
Brown said quarterback Malachi Nelson is dealing with an ankle injury, while also confirming that Steve Angeli plans to return to college football next season. He also pointed to the addition of Quinn Olcott and kept steering the conversation back to the programs process-oriented growth, which has become a familiar theme in his weekly updates. For Syracuse, the challenge now is less about the noise around the game and more about whether the team can keep building while the stakes around it keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuses Turnaround May Hinge On One New Offensive Constant
Syracuses recent surge has come with plenty of moving parts, but the biggest difference may be the one thing the offense can now count on: steadier quarterback play. After injuries forced both Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson to the sideline for surgery, Steve Angeli stepped in and settled the unit, helping the Orange extend their winning streak and knock off a ranked opponent for the first time since November 2024.
The ripple effect has been just as important for the rest of the offense, especially for Calvin Russell III, who has emerged as a reliable playmaker during this run. For a team that spent much of the year dealing with uncertainty under center, the question now is whether this new rhythm can hold as Syracuse tries to turn a strong stretch into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]