Amanda Knapp
Syracuse Orange basketball has had a few years of change, with a new coach, Adrian Red Autry, taking over from Jim Boeheim in 2023. The team has a talented roster, including 5-star recruit Benny Williams, and has been ranked in the top 100 teams for the 2023-24 season. Syracuse has also appeared in some way-too-early top-25 rankings for the 2024-25 season, including at No. 10 by Sporting News, and will be hoping to improve on recent performances and return to the NCAA Tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Ranking | #71 |
| Previous Ranking | #53 |
| Head Coach | Adrian "Red" Autry |
| Conference | ACC |
| Quad I Record | 0-10 |
| Quad II Record | 2-6 |
| Quad III Record | 6-3 |
| Quad IV Record | 6-0 |
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What You'll Learn
Syracuse Orange's 2023 ranking
The Syracuse Orange 2023 ranking in men's basketball saw the team finish the 2023-24 season ranked 53rd by CBB Review. The team finished the season with a record of 20–12 and 11–9 in ACC play, resulting in a three-way tie for fifth place in the ACC tournament. Syracuse ultimately lost the tiebreaker and was seeded seventh, losing to NC State in the second round.
The 2023-24 season marked a new era for the Syracuse Orange with Adrian "Red" Autry replacing Jim Boeheim as head coach after 47 years. The team was led by forward Benny Williams and guard Judah Mintz, who was one of the top returning players in the ACC. Williams, a 6'9" forward with excellent athleticism and a solid three-point shot, had the potential to be one of the best players in the country but needed to show more consistency. Mintz, on the other hand, was already one of the top returning players in the ACC.
Syracuse started the season strongly, winning their first three games before facing tougher competition in the Maui Invitational, where they lost to seventh-ranked Tennessee and eleventh-ranked Gonzaga. They rebounded with a win against Chaminade and then defeated LSU in the ACC-SEC Challenge before losing their ACC opener to Virginia. Syracuse's performance throughout the season was somewhat inconsistent, with several streaks of wins and losses. They ended the season on a high note, winning five of their last seven games, including an upset victory over seventh-ranked North Carolina.
Looking ahead, the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team has appeared in some early rankings for the 2024-25 season. They were ranked 24th by USA Today and even appeared as high as 10th in a way-too-early top-25 list by Sporting News, which was considered an outlier compared to other major outlets. These rankings are speculative, as the final roster for the upcoming season has yet to be determined, with players coming and going through the transfer portal.
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Adrian Autry's coaching
Adrian "Red" Autry is a former professional basketball player who played for teams in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, and the USBL. He was a point guard for the Syracuse Orange from 1990 to 1994 and is currently ranked fifth in career assists (631) and sixth in career steals (217). After leaving Syracuse, Autry played professionally from 1995 to 2005 in various European leagues. He then retired and returned to the US to begin his coaching career.
Autry's coaching career started in 2006 when he was hired as an associate head coach at Bishop Ireton Catholic High School in Virginia. He then became an AAU basketball coach with Nova United, leading the 14-Under and 15-Under squads. In 2007, he became an assistant basketball coach at Paul VI High School in Virginia. He also coached the AAU Triple Threat 17-Under squad in 2008. In the same year, he moved into collegiate coaching when he was hired as the director of basketball operations at Virginia Tech by then-head coach Seth Greenburg. He was later promoted to assistant coach.
In 2011, Autry returned to his alma mater, Syracuse University, as an assistant coach. In March 2017, he was promoted to associate head coach. During his time at Syracuse, he has tutored and recruited several NBA draft picks, including Jerami Grant, Tyler Lydon, and Chris McCullough. Grant and Oshae Brissett have become NBA roster mainstays. In 2019, Autry was named head coach of USA East Coast Basketball, a team of college players that competed in a summer tour of Greece.
Following the 2022-23 season, Autry was named the head coach of the Syracuse Orange, replacing the Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, who held the position for 47 years. In his first season, Autry guided the team to a 20-12 overall record and an 11-9 mark in the ACC. The team reached 20 wins and 11 conference triumphs for the first time since 2013-14. Autry ranked fifth among 2023-24 first-year Division I coaches in victories and was a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award. As head coach, Autry has been re-tooling the team and bringing in new players to make up for departures to the transfer portal.
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The team's frontcourt
The Syracuse Orange's frontcourt has been a cause for concern in recent years, with a lack of post-play and a dearth of big bodies. However, the team has made some significant moves in the transfer portal, bringing in 7'4" centre Naheem McLeod from Florida State and almost 7-foot-tall Eddie Lampkin Jr. from Colorado. McLeod is an elite rim protector who will provide valuable interior defence, while Lampkin weighs over 250 pounds and will provide the physical presence that Syracuse has been missing.
While McLeod and Lampkin address the size issue, there are still questions about the offensive output of this frontcourt. McLeod, in particular, is known for his defensive prowess but offers very little on the other end of the court. Syracuse will need to find a way to generate points from their frontcourt if they want to compete with the top teams in the ACC.
One option for head coach Adrian Autry is to utilise forward Benny Williams, who has the athleticism and three-point shooting ability to stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities. However, Williams has been inconsistent throughout his career and will need to step up his game if he wants to be a starter. Another player to watch is Jyare Davis, who is aggressive on the boards and could provide some much-needed rebounding and toughness for the Orange.
Overall, while the Syracuse Orange's frontcourt has improved with the addition of McLeod and Lampkin, there are still question marks surrounding their offensive capabilities. If they can find a way to generate consistent scoring, this team has the potential to be a balanced offensive unit and make some noise in the ACC.
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Benny Williams' performance
Benny Williams, a 6-foot-9 forward, joined Syracuse as a five-star recruit in 2021. However, his career at Syracuse was marked by struggles and unfulfilled potential. In his freshman year, Williams didn't start a single game and had to deal with injuries. He earned a starting spot in his sophomore campaign, but his production didn't see a significant uptick. Williams averaged 7.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game across 30 appearances (24 starts) in his sophomore season.
Williams faced challenges in his relationship with former head coach Jim Boeheim, which some described as "combustible." He was suspended multiple times during his time at Syracuse, including for rule violations and contentious incidents. Despite his struggles, Williams showed glimpses of his potential with standout performances, such as his season-high 15 points in a win over Pitt and his efficient scoring and defensive impact in a loss to Wake Forest.
With the arrival of new head coach Adrian "Red" Autry, Williams had a chance for a fresh start. However, he was unable to consistently perform at the level expected of him, and his career at Syracuse ended with his dismissal from the team in February 2024. Williams transferred to the University of Central Florida, where he aims to rejuvenate his career under head coach Johnny Dawkins.
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The 2024-25 season
The 2024-25 Syracuse Orange men's basketball season is off to a promising start, with the team seeking to improve on their 20-12 record from the previous year and secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Adrian Autry has a competitive 14-man roster at his disposal, featuring a mix of returning players and new additions.
Key players to watch this season include J.J. Starling, who is expected to be the team's primary backcourt scorer, and Chris Bell, who nearly doubled his point average last season. Five-star forward Donnie Freeman, a highly touted prospect, will also be one to watch as he shares touches with Bell in the frontcourt. Other returning players include Naheem McLeod, Kyle Cuffe Jr., Chance Westry, and William Patterson. The team's lone transfer addition is Eddie Lampkin Jr., who will look to contribute alongside promising newcomers Elijah Moore and Donnie Freeman.
Syracuse's schedule for the 2024-25 season includes a mix of conference and non-conference opponents. They kicked off their campaign with a home game against Le Moyne on November 4, followed by a highly anticipated matchup against Texas in the Legends Classic on November 21. The Orange will also compete in the Gotham Classic, facing Maryland in Brooklyn's Barclays Center. Within their conference, Syracuse will play 20 games against fellow ACC teams, including Boston College, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Duke, and North Carolina, among others.
As for preseason projections, Syracuse is predicted to start the year as a top-70 team, according to KenPom and EvanMiya. They are ranked 68th overall by KenPom, with a strong offensive efficiency rating (42nd) and a defensive efficiency ranking of 96th. Sports Illustrated predicts a 10th-place finish in the ACC for Syracuse, acknowledging the opportunity for the team to break through but also highlighting the challenges posed by a competitive conference. The ACC preseason coaches poll places Syracuse 11th in the ACC, their lowest ranking since joining the conference in 2013.
Overall, the 2024-25 season looks to be a pivotal one for the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team. With a talented roster and a mix of challenging opponents, the team will look to build momentum and improve their standing within the competitive ACC conference.
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Frequently asked questions
Syracuse is ranked 53rd for the 2023-24 basketball season.
Adrian "Red" Autry is Syracuse's coach for the 2023-24 basketball season, replacing Jim Boeheim after 47 years as head coach.
Syracuse's notable departures for the 2023-24 basketball season include Joe Girard III (transferred to Clemson), Jesse Edwards (transferred to West Virginia), and Symir Torrence (transferred to Binghamton).
Syracuse's non-conference games for the 2023-24 basketball season include a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
