UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Syracuse’s first look under Gerry McNamara came with plenty to sort through, and a 72-52 exhibition loss to UConn on Tuesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena showed both the upside and the rough edges of this Orange group.
The big picture was simple: Syracuse has athleticism, size and some real pieces to work with, but it also looked like a team still searching for its offensive identity. The Orange struggled in the half court, especially early, and McNamara spent much of the game urging his guards to push the tempo.
That may be the clearest path forward for this roster. When Syracuse got moving, it looked better.
When it had to grind, the offense bogged down.
That transition approach fits the personnel. Syracuse repeatedly tried to get out and run, leaning into pace as a way to cover for stretches where the half-court attack never really settled in. If this team is going to win, it’s going to have to keep living in that faster gear.
One of the brighter signs came from freshman Ryan Moesch, the only true freshman from the United States on the roster. Moesch, who followed McNamara from Siena to Syracuse, didn’t have the kind of scoring night that jumps off the page - he finished with four points and shot 1-of-10 - but he still made his presence felt.
He helped jump-start the break, handled ball pressure without looking overwhelmed and showed enough craft with the ball to suggest he belongs. His finish out of the U-12 media timeout in the second half was one of those small plays that sticks with you.
Sadiq White Jr. gave Syracuse a different kind of lift. The 3-point shot that had been talked up during the offseason was there in plain sight.
He banked in his first attempt and drew a wry smile from McNamara, then confidently buried his second. White finished 2-of-4 from deep, knocked down a foul-line jumper and led the Orange with 17 points.
Kiyan Anthony also gave Syracuse something to build on. The physical transformation that has been a talking point showed up on the floor in a noticeable way.
He still had trouble from deep, going 0-for-5 from three, but he did a better job getting to the rim and absorbing contact than he did a season ago. Anthony finished with six points and continued to rely on touch and creativity more than brute force, but the added strength was visible.
There was also no missing Gavin Doty’s voice. He started the game and acted like the on-court organizer from the opening tip, constantly communicating with teammates, checking the bench for instructions and relaying them back onto the floor.
He brought energy, steadied the group and kept everyone engaged. Beyond being one of Syracuse’s better scorers, he looked like its loudest presence.
The Orange did lose Aiden Tobiason early. The Temple transfer, who is expected to be one of Syracuse’s best players and possibly its best shooter, started at one of the two guard spots but injured his right leg in the first half and never returned. Anthony moved into his place in the second half.
Amarri Monroe’s night was more uneven. The fifth-year Quinnipiac transfer has the physical tools to matter in this league, but he came off a little passive in this one.
Syracuse could use more edge from him. Monroe picked up four fouls before the 10-minute mark of the second half, shot 1-of-5 from the floor, made all six of his free throws and finished with nine points.
The biggest concern may be the same one Syracuse seemed to reveal all night: who, exactly, is the reliable bucket-getter? The Orange have several useful players, but they don’t yet look like a team with one obvious offensive takeover option. That makes pace even more important, because this group doesn’t appear fully built for a slow, deliberate half-court game right now.
UConn’s size was part of the challenge, but Syracuse wasn’t overmatched there. Still, the Huskies won the rebounding battle 41-33, another reminder that the Orange have work to do on the glass.
Syracuse is back in action Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET against Siena in Loudonville, N.Y. The Siena program will honor McNamara, Gavin Doty, Francis Folefac and Tasman Goodrick for their role in last season’s MAAC championship, and the Saints will raise the championship banner that day.
In Other News...
Syracuse May Be Down To Another Backup Vs Louisville
Syracuse is still sorting through a quarterback room that has been thinned by injuries, and the timing could not be worse with Louisville next up. Steve Angeli may be nearing a return to practice, while Amari Odom is still being evaluated for a shoulder injury and Malachi Nelson is dealing with an upper-body issue, though there are no broken bones.
With the depth chart in flux, Danny Lauter and true freshman Zaid Lott are among the options if the Orange have to move ahead without their injured quarterbacks. It leaves Dino Babers and his staff waiting on medical updates before they can settle on who might be under center when Syracuse lines up against Louisville. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Gets An Early Reality Check Against UConn
Syracuse got its first real measuring stick of the season Sunday at Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Orange faced Connecticut in an exhibition that offered an early look at how the roster might function against one of the sports standard-bearers. The game brought together Syracuses coaching staff, a new set of lineup decisions and the kind of opponent that quickly reveals where a team is still learning to fit together.
The matchup also gave a glimpse of how Syracuse wants to play, with the broadcast providing a wider audience for a team that is still sorting out roles and rhythm. Against UConn, every scoring run and defensive possession carried a little more weight than a typical exhibition, and the Orange left with plenty to study as the real season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Finally Gets A Key Newcomer Back At The Right Time
Garwey Dual appears set to give Syracuse a much-needed boost right when the Orange are trying to sort out their new-look backcourt. The transfer guard has been working his way back after a collarbone injury, and after being cleared for contact practice in late September, he is expected to take the floor in the upcoming exhibition against Connecticut. Syracuse brought him in with the idea that he could eventually settle into the starting point guard role, and his return gives the staff a closer look at how that can work in real time.
For a team trying to build chemistry with a key newcomer, simply getting Dual back on the court matters. He has dealt with injuries before, so there is still some caution in the picture, but he has been practicing and preparing to contribute. The exhibition will offer Syracuse an early chance to see how much he can handle and how quickly he can settle into the offense, which is especially important with the season inching closer. [Read more 🡒]