Syracuse will likely be without Aiden Tobiason again on Sunday, and Gerry McNamara isn’t hiding the timeline.
The Orange coach said the transfer guard probably won’t be available for the team’s second exhibition game, a Sunday afternoon meeting with Siena at MVP Arena in Albany. Tobiason left Tuesday’s exhibition opener after about four minutes because of a right leg injury.
McNamara stopped short of ruling him out outright, but his update pointed in one direction. He said the staff would give Tobiason “a week or two,” and added that the focus is on getting him ready for the Nov. 2 season opener against New Haven.
Tobiason arrived from Temple this offseason and is now a junior. The Delaware native started 32 games for the Owls last season in the American Conference and averaged 15.3 points on 48.0 percent shooting. He also posted 3.7 rebounds and two assists per game.
His game has included a perimeter threat as well, with Tobiason shooting 35.8 percent from 3-point range across his two college seasons. Syracuse clearly brought him in to help stretch the floor.
Sunday’s matchup carries its own weight, too. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. ET, and Siena will use the occasion to raise its 2025-26 MAAC Championship banner at MVP Arena.
The Saints claimed the league tournament title and then nearly knocked off No. 1 Duke in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64. McNamara coached that Siena team last season and built the roster that made the run.
Current Syracuse players Gavin Doty, Francis Folefac and Tasman Goodrick were also on that team, with Doty serving as the best player. Siena will honor all four before the regular season begins.
Now led by Nevada Smith, Siena will be playing its first exhibition game of the season.
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