2025-26 Preseason Practice

[Orangezoo]

Fantastic profile. We got a gem in Rob Harris and completely remade the S&C department. Autry identified a real systemic issue in the program and made the right call to let go of a longtime colleague to improve things. Quoting from the piece:

When Harris asked Autry what he hoped his players would achieve in the weight room, Autry told him “everything.”

Autry wanted to build toughness in his team. He was tired of seeing his players “pushed around” on the basketball court, Harris said. He wanted Syracuse to be the more aggressive team. He wanted the Orange to have an edge.

Red isn’t the crazy guy with endless energy. He isn’t the one who knows how to get that out of every player but there are a number of coaches that are similar. So you have to find that guy for your program. Who is that driving force? Bringing Rob in was massive in finding that piece. Having Alex as GM to be the resourceful guy who has those connections shows his value.

I think we will find out if DE can be the helpful tactician as an AC now with Rob there to have the needed level of intensity day in day out.

 

[Niastri]

Speaking of energy guys, I think the personality of the team is going to be different, by a lot.

Some of that is Rob Harris. He definitely is a different animal. I'll never forget his first meeting with Luke Fennell. Harris jumps up in the air shouting "Luke's here! Luke's here!" Like he had been waiting his whole life to meet Fennell. Then he proceeded to invade Luke's personal space in an aggressively friendly way. It was a heck of a way to introduce yourself to someone. That intensity is definitely a radically different tone from Red and the rest of the coaching staff.

But Secondly, I think we have brought in a few transfers with something to prove. Last year, other than Lampkin, our transfers were career minor leaders just happy for a cup of coffee in The Show.

This season, we have Kyle and Kingz as likely starters who have had much more intense paths to the big time. Other guys like Betsey and Souare have had some bumps as well that are going to increase their hunger to succeed.

I think the intensity from those guys is going to be different than we saw the last few years.

 

[Sherman20]

I hope people realize that Red sees many of the same things we see. Replacing someone who was on the staff for a long time is not easy. Kudos to Red for making a complete philosophy change in our strength and conditioning. I think we may be shocked with the style change we see on the court this year.

I agree. We could be a fun watch once they figure out how to play team defense together. I hope Red is able to make these tough calls in future years with some of the main assistants—or at least brings in fresh blood with assistants who will help improve the offensive scheming and philosophy. Having a very good PG should at least help this season on offense.

 

[RedtheGOB]

Speaking of energy guys, I think the personality of the team is going to be different, by a lot.

Some of that is Rob Harris. He definitely is a different animal. I'll never forget his first meeting with Luke Fennell. Harris jumps up in the air shouting "Luke's here! Luke's here!" Like he had been waiting his whole life to meet Fennell. Then he proceeded to invade Luke's personal space in an aggressively friendly way. It was a heck of a way to introduce yourself to someone. That intensity is definitely a radically different tone from Red and the rest of the coaching staff.

But Secondly, I think we have brought in a few transfers with something to prove. Last year, other than Lampkin, our transfers were career minor leaders just happy for a cup of coffee in The Show.

This season, we have Kyle and Kingz as likely starters who have had much more intense paths to the big time. Other guys like Betsey and Souare have had some bumps as well that are going to increase their hunger to succeed.

I think the intensity from those guys is going to be different than we saw the last few years.

Momentum and energy in front a home crowd is so important. People complaining about cupcakes at the dome and I'm sitting here like good. Blow them about by 50 I say.

Last season we might as well have been tripping over our shoelaces from day 1 at the Dome. Fans that pay attention (like here) knew it was really bad, fairweather fans said boring who cares more of the same, and fans that go to an occasional games at the dome were like this isn't fun to watch we can't even dunk the ball or run a fastbreak or get a stop on defense.

 

[Ozone!]

 

[5OutFred]

I hope Red is able to make these tough calls in future years with some of the main assistants—or at least brings in fresh blood with assistants who will help improve the offensive scheming and philosophy.

This part is critical if Red does in fact make it through this season. When talent acquisition falls mainly on Straughn and Kline, you can't have two of your assistants not materially contributing to the growth of the program. Top assistants are nationally revered; ours are not mentioned once.

We'll see if the change in strength staff opens Red's eyes to that and trickles to other members of the staff. If you're not growing, you're slowing.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

View attachment 256304

I have no idea what's happening in this image, but I'm all for it.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

FWIW: spoke with an associate who is friends with Rosie Bouie. He said that Rosie is excited about this team: fast and athletic. My associate made an interesting comment (unsure if this was from Rosie or others): this is finally Red’s team, and it’s been built around Donnie and JJ.
It will be interesting to see it unfold.

 

[Niastri]

Souare is so focused on basket prevention, he's playing defense in the huddle.

 

[Vorony]

FWIW: spoke with an associate who is friends with Rosie Bouie. He said that Rosie is excited about this team: fast and athletic. My associate made an interesting comment (unsure if this was from Rosie or others): this is finally Red’s team, and it’s been built around Donnie and JJ.
It will be interesting to see it unfold.

It was Red’s team the previous 2 seasons too. And I’m pretty sure we heard that same statement heading into last year. No doubt the talent level this year is higher than it’s been in years, but the biggest question mark is will the coaching match that talent level?

 

[Orangezoo]

It was Red’s team the previous 2 seasons too. And I’m pretty sure we heard that same statement heading into last year. No doubt the talent level this year is higher than it’s been in years, but the biggest question mark is will the coaching match that talent level?

I think it’s still fair , without setting aside skepticism over his coaching, to say this is Reds team as he wants it in terms of the talent level. Last year was a hodge podge of a roster without having the adequate resources. Year 1 was missing the biggest piece of the whole year with not having the $$ to keep Jesse. If you keep Jesse that year, that team probably wins 4-5 more games and is dancing.

I am cautiously optimistic with the changes made like adding coach Rob and having the money needed to bring in this current talent level along with having a guy like Kline as well. Still want more coaches but hopefully starting tomorrow we see the vision and quality.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Orange to Take on Buffalo in Exhibition Game at KeyBank Center - Syracuse University Athletics

Game Details: Saturday, October 25, Buffalo, N.Y., 7 p.m.

cuse.com

 

[CuseFan]

FWIW: spoke with an associate who is friends with Rosie Bouie. He said that Rosie is excited about this team: fast and athletic. My associate made an interesting comment (unsure if this was from Rosie or others): this is finally Red’s team, and it’s been built around Donnie and JJ.
It will be interesting to see it unfold.

Love to hear excitement from a former player.

I am much more excited about this team that the last. We seem to have better athletes, from the little we have seen so far. Looking forward to watching the first exhibition!

 

[Starman]

Last year was a hodge podge of a roster without having the adequate resources. Year 1 was missing the biggest piece of the whole year with not having the $$ to keep Jesse. If you keep Jesse that year, that team probably wins 4-5 more games and is dancing.

This sums it up for me. Autry hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, but he also wasn't put in a position to succeed. Until this year. I'm not saying that he's "the guy" but he's better than most fans (who are angry with the results of the last 4ish years) say.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

It was Red’s team the previous 2 seasons too. And I’m pretty sure we heard that same statement heading into last year. No doubt the talent level this year is higher than it’s been in years, but the biggest question mark is will the coaching match that talent level?

The biggest negative of this place is the negativity people have towards anyone who tries to share insights or tidbits. It has driven valuable posters away. I was giving someone else’s interpretation of this year’s team and how it fits Red’s vision. Then you say that person is wrong.
That said, your position is inaccurate. The first year, he was shackled by JB’s best class ever. Last year, he was constrained by NIL shortfalls.

 

[RF2044]

Not sure where to put this, but this writer listed Syracuse as #79 in the top 100 for this upcoming season:

Top 100

 

[5OutFred]

The first year, he was shackled by JB’s best class ever. Last year, he was constrained by NIL shortfalls.

We don't have to go down this whole rabbit hole again - but let's not act like Red is starting fresh here. Those two years were his responsibility, all encompassing of NIL, funding, roster, etc. That's the job.

This isn't college basketball of 10 years ago; you don't get 4 years to build a program anymore. It's what he signed up for.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

We don't have to go down this whole rabbit hole again - but let's not act like Red is starting fresh here. Those two years were his responsibility, all encompassing of NIL, funding, roster, etc. That's the job.

This isn't college basketball of 10 years ago; you don't get 4 years to build a program anymore. It's what he signed up for.

Agree to agree that you are wrong.

 

[baggerbob]

The biggest negative of this place is the negativity people have towards anyone who tries to share insights or tidbits. It has driven valuable posters away. I was giving someone else’s interpretation of this year’s team and how it fits Red’s vision. Then you say that person is wrong.
That said, your position is inaccurate. The first year, he was shackled by JB’s best class ever. Last year, he was constrained by NIL shortfalls.

When someone like Rosie is excited for the team, then that gives me reason to look forward to a good year. They ran, rebounded, and played defense back then. That has to be the things he looks at, and that normally is a good team.

 

[Vorony]

The biggest negative of this place is the negativity people have towards anyone who tries to share insights or tidbits. It has driven valuable posters away. I was giving someone else’s interpretation of this year’s team and how it fits Red’s vision. Then you say that person is wrong.
That said, your position is inaccurate. The first year, he was shackled by JB’s best class ever. Last year, he was constrained by NIL shortfalls.

This is a discussion board. That’s how it works. You posted an opinion, and I replied with mine. I didn’t say anyone was wrong and I wasn’t overtly negative. We’ve all been told for several seasons how this is the year - until we get to December and quickly realize that it isn’t. I’m more optimistic going in this year than most years, but Red and his coaching staff is still the biggest question mark. That’s not a negative thing to say - it’s reality based on the previous 2 seasons.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Not sure where to put this, but this writer listed Syracuse as #79 in the top 100 for this upcoming season:

Top 100

Flush it down the toilet