Syracuse Orange men’s basketball just added another familiar face from Siena Saints men’s basketball — and yes, you may joke that the Orange have become “Siena West.”
Freshman forward Francis Folefac is headed to Syracuse after a breakout freshman year, including an eye-opening NCAA Tournament performance against Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball where he posted 18 points and 7 rebounds.
This pickup highlights two major things about the early Gerry McNamara era.
1. Syracuse is building an identity: size, toughness, defense
Folefac is 6-foot-7, 245 pounds.
He’s not coming to finesse people.
He’s coming to bang.
That continues the very obvious blueprint Syracuse is building:
get bigger, tougher, and harder to play against.
We’ve already seen it with:
- Luke Wilson
- Abdramane Siby
- Garwey Dual
This staff clearly believes the fastest way to become competitive again is not trying to out-talent everyone.
It’s defending.
It’s rebounding.
It’s winning ugly when necessary.
That’s smart.
Because when your NIL budget isn’t operating like Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball or North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball, the easiest way to close the gap is with grit.
Defense travels.
Toughness wins toss-up games.
That’s the bet.
2. “Siena West” might actually be a compliment
Yes, this is now the third Siena transfer:
- Sophomore guard Gavin Doty
- Junior forward/center Tasman Goodrick
- Freshman forward Francis Folefac
Some critics will roll their eyes.
Why is Syracuse relying on MAAC school talent?
Because McNamara knows these players.
More importantly, he knows how to develop them.
Doty and Folefac were not blue-chip stars coming out of high school. They were lightly regarded players who became legitimate high-major caliber pieces through development.
Because Syracuse cannot simply outspend everyone.
If you’re not buying five-stars, you better be creating them.
That may be the most important skill a coach can have right now.
And McNamara is betting on exactly that.
This isn’t “Siena West.”
It’s roster construction with a plan.
