2025-26 Preseason Practice

[pearl31]

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.

Fair.

 

[Sherman20]

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

Top 100

That’s way too low for the talent level. I think we only finish as low as 79 if Red proves to be clueless as a coach. If he’s even halfway decent, we should finish inside the top 50 and be a tourney team. Most of these reporters and analysts are wildly wrong every year. Norlander especially. He’s also a longtime Cuse hater, even when we had some of our best teams under JB. Even in Red’s first year when the team was young and dysfunctional, we finished 85th in KenPom. The talent and experience is much higher this year.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Fair.

CJ Fair. I’ll take a vodka martini. Shaken, not stirred.

 

[billsin01]

That’s way too low for the talent level. I think we only finish as low as 79 if Red proves to be clueless as a coach. If he’s even halfway decent, we should finish inside the top 50 and be a tourney team. Most of these reporters and analysts are wildly wrong every year. Norlander especially. He’s also a longtime Cuse hater, even when we had some of our best teams under JB. Even in Red’s first year when the team was young and dysfunctional, we finished 85th in KenPom. The talent and experience is much higher this year.

Eh, I’d say red has a ton to prove. I’m rooting for him and this seems to be a significantly improved roster. But there needs to be an offensive identity, some cohesion on the floor, some evidence of advanced scouting/game-planning, a defense that is something other than five guys each playing a man on an island, etc.

I don’t think everything has to be perfect or fixed in one offseason, but if you’re predicting how this team will do this season I think it’s fair to have a ton of questions.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[bballbeadle]

Who is that player? I hope I figure who these guys are by Christmas.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Who is that player? I hope I figure who these guys are by Christmas.

Bryce Zephir, a grad student guard from Montana State.

Bryce Zephir - Men's Basketball - Syracuse University Athletics

Bryce Zephir (55) Guard - Redshirt Senior Year at Montana State: Zephir averaged 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 32 appearances on the season ...

cuse.com

 

[Sherman20]

Eh, I’d say red has a ton to prove. I’m rooting for him and this seems to be a significantly improved roster. But there needs to be an offensive identity, some cohesion on the floor, some evidence of advanced scouting/game-planning, a defense that is something other than five guys each playing a man on an island, etc.

I don’t think everything has to be perfect or fixed in one offseason, but if you’re predicting how this team will do this season I think it’s fair to have a ton of questions.

No one’s saying there aren’t questions about Red’s coaching ability. I’ve posted that many times. But first of all, we don’t need him to be brilliant to have a good season. We have a lot of talent and the roster is well constructed and the team will be stronger and better conditioned. That can go a long way, even without innovative coaching. Second, the 2024 team, Red’s first season, finished 85 in KenPom. You don’t think Cuse can vastly improve on that ranking with the talent infusion we have? My point was that a 79 preseason ranking, barely better than 85, is ridiculously low with the talent and experience on this roster.

 

[Niastri]

Bryce Zephir, a grad student guard from Montana State.

Bryce Zephir - Men's Basketball - Syracuse University Athletics

Bryce Zephir (55) Guard - Redshirt Senior Year at Montana State: Zephir averaged 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 32 appearances on the season ...

cuse.com

And he's standing next to William Kyle, who I'm starting to think is a little too short.