2025-26 Preseason Practice

[bballbeadle]

In that picture I recognize 0 of 4 players ha. These guys have a huge opportunity to be remembered in Syracuse for a long time if they can in fact be the turnaround team.

I feel so confused. There’s a line in Hamilton that goes, “Yo, who the ef is this?” That is sure going to be me for a while.

 

[Jimmy]

Yes, I am shocked and worried to hear about Kiyan.

I don’t think it’s anything to worry about he’s been practicing all along.

 

[Nicknack]

The first two exhibition games later this month are going to be big for us (fans) to learn faces to names. I usually don't get all that excited about those games but this year is different.

 

[OttosDad]

Curious about rotations and lineups.

I think it’s obvious going into this season 3 point shooting has to be better…

Wondering how much we see a lineup of-
George, Kiyan, Kingz, Donnie, Kyle/Sadiq

It’s no secret JJ needs to shoot it better this year. He NEEDS to be around 33%. If Kiyan is shooting it well, pairing him with George in the backcourt would make a lot of sense

 

[jr4750]

 

[althea]

I would feel better if Seth said “what really blew me away was Donnie Freeman”

 

[hoopsupstate]

I like the sound of shot making, but I want to hear that teams will have trouble getting shots off against our defense.

 

[hoopsupstate]

I would feel better if Seth said “what really blew me away was Donnie Freeman”

After watching Donnie last year, I’m not convinced he has the makeup of exerting his will on people. He needs to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor. He has to show me that he will go get the ball off the offensive boards and challenge shots around the will. He was basically non existent at both last season. He needs a total mindset change. I was happy to hear him say at the ACC TIP OFF that he needed to improve defensively. He seems like he’s ready for the challenge.

 

[Hopkins16]

I would feel better if Seth said “what really blew me away was Donnie Freeman”

Donnie is the silent assassin type. He will put up his numbers and be effective quietly. Let Sadiq, JJ and others standout while Donnie kills em softly.

 

[RedtheGOB]

Been awhile since we had the 6th man hype player. Someone that comes in and you just breathe some relief and know he's going to make a play.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Been awhile since we had the 6th man hype player. Someone that comes in and you just breathe some relief and know he's going to make a play.

Seems like we’ll run a legit 9 or 10 deep.

 

[Orangezoo]

After watching Donnie last year, I’m not convinced he has the makeup of exerting his will on people. He needs to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor. He has to show me that he will go get the ball off the offensive boards and challenge shots around the will. He was basically non existent at both last season. He needs a total mindset change. I was happy to hear him say at the ACC TIP OFF that he needed to improve defensively. He seems like he’s ready for the challenge.

I’m holding out hope he still has that gene in him given he showed some of that in eybl and prep. Last years team severely lacked that kind of a mentality as a whole plus he was still just a freshman.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

Would be more than fine with George dominating the ball, contrary to that practice report. Do his best Ennis impression. More George with the ball and less JJ will lead to success. Still find it puzzling how JJ’s shot broke (from the shoulder injury or whatever else) and never was fixed.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

After watching Donnie last year, I’m not convinced he has the makeup of exerting his will on people. He needs to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor. He has to show me that he will go get the ball off the offensive boards and challenge shots around the will. He was basically non existent at both last season. He needs a total mindset change. I was happy to hear him say at the ACC TIP OFF that he needed to improve defensively. He seems like he’s ready for the challenge.

He was a freshman, with lots of older guys, finding his way. I put in some fun prompts with Chat GPT: here are Donnie’s projections, with his progress last year and historical jumps for 2nd year HS AA PFs.

Takeaway from comps: most McDAA forwards who return see a +1 to +3 PPG uptick with either slightly better efficiency or similar boards. Massive jumps happen, but they’re the exception and usually tied to a bigger minute/usage spike.








Freeman-specific context that nudges the projection up

• He already produced at a “starter-plus” level as a freshman (13.4 & 7.9; multiple double-doubles), then lost ACC-season reps to a 5th-metatarsal injury. That paused, but didn’t cap, the curve.
• Off-season reports have him fully back and leaning into a bigger role; local coverage is tagging him as a breakout candidate for 2025-26.

What would push him toward the ceiling

1. 30+ MPG and top-2 usage,
2. 2–3 3PA/g at ~33–35% to keep TS% healthy,
3. Syracuse guards consistently feed him early post seals & short-rolls (easy points, fewer tough self-creates).

What would keep him near the floor

• Minute share split at the 4/5, sticky turnovers, or a post-injury rim-attempt rate that’s too low (settling). Also, if the offense tilts heavily guard-dominant, the bump shrinks.

If you want me to tighten this to a single line (say, 16.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 57% TS in 28 MPG), give me:

1. Your guess at his minutes (26, 28, or 30+),
2. Whether Autry plays him mostly at the 4 or small-ball 5, and
3. Your read on 3-point volume (keep it low vs. green light).

 

[Blanko97]

Regarding JJ, he can always score and lots of people on this board often downplay that. I’m most curious about defensive improvements. Time will tell.

I can honestly say defense is all i care about right now. I would love to see some 55-50 rock fights if it means they dont get run off the floor more nights than not

 

[tptcuse]

I can honestly say defense is all i care about right now. I would love to see some 55-50 rock fights if it means they dont get run off the floor more nights than not

Multiple years of watching team after team after team torch us at will do that to a person.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

After watching Donnie last year, I’m not convinced he has the makeup of exerting his will on people. He needs to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor. He has to show me that he will go get the ball off the offensive boards and challenge shots around the will. He was basically non existent at both last season. He needs a total mindset change. I was happy to hear him say at the ACC TIP OFF that he needed to improve defensively. He seems like he’s ready for the challenge.

wat

He was clearly figuring things out last season, and was getting double doubles on raw talent alone.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[HyattsCuse]

The usual disclaimers apply. This was just one practice. Sometimes strange things happen in practice. Take all comments with a large grain of salt.

William Kyle

Looks shorter than Freeman or White. Very quick and athletic. Can jump. Will block some shots. Scored some on pick and rolls. Likes that play. More on that later. Also flashed a few traditional low post type moves. Battled on defense. I don’t think he will be a major liability on defense. Don’t expect him to be a big scorer but should average around 10 ppg.

Disclaimer acknowledged, but this comment is what jumped out to me the most. If Kyle is averaging double figures in points, that sounds like a game changer to me! Legit inside presence that teams have to be honest about and defend against even if it’s just lobs and layups around the rim. That would open up the court for everyone else on offense IMO.

 

[Cuse On 3]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[pearl31]

with body language like that they'll be lucky to win 10 games

 

[hoopsupstate]

Where’s our computer/analytics wizard who works with Kline?

 

[Cuse99&01]

wow...how many coaches and team managers are on this team?