The Syracuse men’s basketball buzz got a jolt on Tuesday when CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein spent the day with the Orange, watched practice and came away with a few takeaways that should matter to Syracuse fans.
With the 2026-27 season still about seven weeks away - and the first under new head coach Gerry McNamara - Rothstein’s notes painted a team that looks interesting, deep and still very much a work in progress. His biggest read: Syracuse has the pieces to sit in the NCAA Tournament bubble conversation, but it still may not have that obvious, go-to star.
That’s the central question hanging over this roster. Rothstein sees depth, balance and a group that is buying into what the program is trying to build. What he does not see, at least yet, is a clear All-Conference type who separates himself from the pack.
He also offered a projected starting five, though he made clear it’s early. In his view, the lineup would feature Garwey Dual, Aiden Tobiason, Kiyan Anthony, Sadiq White Jr. and Luke Wilson.
Dual arrives from McNeese State and is known for his defense, while Tobiason comes over from Temple as a shooter. Wilson, an Appalachian State transfer, is described as a big man and a defensive presence. White and Anthony, meanwhile, are back from last season.
There’s one wrinkle with Dual: he’s dealing with a collarbone injury and is not cleared for full contact right now. That makes his status something to watch as Syracuse keeps building toward the season. Rothstein’s projected group also leaves Gavin Doty off the list, which stands out because he was an impact transfer who followed McNamara from Siena.
One encouraging note for Syracuse came from White, who Rothstein said has looked more comfortable shooting from beyond the arc in practice. That would be a meaningful development after White made only seven 3-pointers last season, especially for a team that needs better perimeter production.
The Orange open exhibition play on Oct. 13 against UConn at Mohegan Sun.
In Other News...
Syracuse Loss Still Left Recruits Talking About What They Saw
Even in a 21-18 loss to California in Syracuses ACC opener, the visit list at the JMA Wireless Dome gave the Orange something to build on. More than a dozen recruits from the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes were on hand, getting a close look at the program as the night unfolded, and the setting itself clearly did some of the heavy lifting. Between the crowd energy, the way the staff stayed engaged and the teams ability to keep battling, it was the kind of game that can linger with a young prospect long after the final whistle.
For Syracuse, the encouraging part was not just that recruits showed up, but that several came away talking about what they saw on the field. Players and special teams moments stood out during the visit, and the Oranges resilience in a tight game seemed to register with the group in attendance. A loss is never the ideal showcase, but this one still offered a reminder that the right atmosphere and effort can leave an impression even when the result does not. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Faces A Brutal Pitt Test It Still Hasn't Solved
Syracuse heads into Thursday nights trip to Acrisure Stadium knowing the matchup has not been friendly ground in recent years. The Orange are set to face Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m., and a panel of reporters and analysts spent this week circling the same issue from different angles: Syracuses offense has work to do, while Pitts defense has earned the kind of respect that makes for a difficult road assignment.
The predictions varied, including disagreement over the final score and whether Syracuse can stay within the spread, but the larger theme was consistent. This is the sort of game that forces the Orange to prove it can handle a physical opponent away from home, and until it shows more on offense, the questions around this one are likely to linger right up to kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Is Still Waiting On A Freshman Fans Have Been Asking About
A familiar name among Syracuse fans is still waiting for its first real introduction, even as the Orange enter the next stretch of the schedule with some depth questions already hanging over the roster. Freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III is expected to make his Syracuse debut after the bye week, and head coach Fran Brown said he should be medically cleared for the Oct. 3 game against Connecticut.
For now, though, Russell is doubtful for the upcoming game against Pittsburgh because he has not yet met the calf strength threshold needed for clearance. Syracuse will also be without running back Tylik Hill, while freshmen Tedarius Hughes and Maurice Medley are ruled out as well, leaving the Orange to navigate another week with several young players still on the sideline. [Read more 🡒]