Syracuse completed its goal for week 1 of the college basketball season: grab two wins against a light non-conference slate. Today was another Orange victory in dominant fashion as they jumped out to a 10-2 lead just minutes into the contest and never looked back.
- Donnie Freeman is a guaranteed first round NBA selection
He looked strong in his freshman season (2024/2025), but he has returned from his season-ending foot injury a completely different monster. The returning sophomore followed up his game-high 20 point performance in the Orange’s opener with 20 points today. He forces the issue by attacking downhill; when he becomes doubled, he kicks out to a guard in three-point land. His size and speed gives him the flexibility to be that dynamic point-forward that elite teams possess (Think Paolo Banchero). His first real NBA Draft stock test comes in Las Vegas’ Players Era Tournament, but he has impressed SU fans through two games.
- Kiyan Anthony looks like the REAL DEAL
Anthony made his first for the Orange today in place of J.J. Starling. He immediately showed out with points, of those in the first half as the son of ‘Melo helped SU jump out to a large lead against Delaware State. The crowd’s anticipation in the starting lineup announcement or the preseason SLAM cover t-shirts that many fans donned in the arena didn’t seem to shake him at all; The Brooklyn native just played his game, but looked anything but an 18-year-old freshman.
- Head Coach Adrian Autry’s week 1 was a success
It’s always a successful week when your team begins the season 2-0, but Autry worked in 11 different players throughout the game. As Syracuse has already seen with Starling, injuries happen in the fast-paced grind of college basketball; The way the Orange can prevent the injury bug from wrecking their season is by building depth and getting each rotational player comfortable. A blowout win against the Hornets provides a perfect opportunity to look deep into the bench.
- Tyler Betsey will be Syracuse’s unsung hero this season
Betsey, a Cincinnati transfer, is poised to be one of Autry’s first forward options off of the bench. At 6-foot-8, he brings much more than the efficient catch-and-shoot scoring. He is stuck behind the talented forward duo of Freeman and Kingz, but his strong shifts helped the Orange to outscore the Hornets bench unit by a 21-18 margin. His veteran transfer presence aids a bench unit that is very freshman heavy with Sadiq White and Luke Fennell (Anthony will presumably go back to the bench once Starling is cleared to play.
Syracuse next faces Drexel at Wells Fargo Arena, the usually home of the Philadelphia 76ers, next Saturday at 3:30. Be sure to follow @OrangeFizz on Twitter/X for live game updates of that game and consistent football coverage, and check out www.orangefizz.net for daily staff articles debriefing the latest in SU sports.
