Following the 2024/25 season, there were many questions surrounding Syracuse basketball. Is Adrian Autry the right leader for the post-Boeheim era? Has the famed “Orange Standard” slipped in the minds of high school recruits and prospective transfer players?
The Orange’s offseason seemed to answer some questions surrounding the program’s future. In addition to their top freshman class featuring four stars Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White, they pulled in Naithan George and Nate Kingz. These players set the tone: a new group, a new team, and a revitalized Orange Standard.
SU began its campaign with two rough exhibitions; ‘Cuse only beat Buffalo by 10 points (76-66 final score) and was neck-and-neck at home with Pace going into halftime. This gave Syracuse fans doubt that 2025/26 would bring more of the same.
However, the Orange’s first two wins to begin the season have displayed a level of dominance that hasn’t been evoked into the Dome in years. SU is fighting hard defensively, with multiple players crashing the glass. ‘Cuse has held both opponents, Binghamton and Delaware State, below 50 points. In its last contest, Syracuse blocked Delaware State 12 times. The defense turns into fast breaks, fast breaks turn into quick and easy points, and the scoreboard begins to turn in the Orange’s favor fast. Donnie Freeman’s game-high 20 points and Kiyan Anthony’s 19 nearly combined for the Hornet’s total score.
For now, Syracuse is only beating up on lesser competition. The real test comes in two weeks: Syracuse faces Houston and Kansas in back-to-back nights in Las Vegas’ Players Era tournament.
The Orange have not yet played a quality-enough team yet to answer all of the questions from their previous disappointing seasons. However, they are showing the traits of a well-coached team with a roster that is prepared to adjust for fluctuating circumstances. A year ago, SU looked lost without guard J.J. Starling in the lineup; it was next man up on Saturday.
All Syracuse can do is win the games in front of them, and the hype will take care of itself.
