Expectations in Year 1

[Cusefan95]

You have to be lucky sometimes. UConn got the right hire and then had a monster recruit fall into their laps because he was literally right in their back yard. They found a gem in Murray. There was no foresight with all that. The only thing was that Hurley the nut job also was the far more competitive and passionate Hurley of the bunch as it played out.

Gerry is insanely competitive and also another internal hire. My hope and early optimism is that we got lucky that he is getting the nod despite all the other concerns around it being too incestuous. Different path to get there but hopefully a similar outcome in getting someone who is just different. That article by Carlson shared a little more of what I think everyone will see. My hope is we backed into success with Gerry just like we backed into success with bringing him on board 23 years ago. All the other options were intriguing but the guy with the closest drive and push to succeed to that nut over at UConn I think was quite close all this time.

So our expectations should be we win and win a lot and rekindle what should never have faded. As optimistic as I might be getting , I’m going to be just as critical if this flops early as there is no excuse to miss on the opportunity here.

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. UConn was prepared and saw success when opportunity presented itself. Syracuse has been consistently unprepared for a decade. Even if there was an opportunity, there was no way to take advantage of it. And even if GMac is an “opportunity” - we’re not going to take advantage of it if “more competitive than the 2026 trainwreck” is the bar decision-makers have set.

I think some of the low bar setting is because of how adamant some here were that GMac was “the guy”. Now that the folks that are convinced we should never, ever consider a coach that didn’t play at Syracuse carried the day - the focus has shifted to setting the bar for “success” in year one as low as possible. It’s just a continuation of the loser mentality within the fanbase and administration that has infected Syracuse for years. Losers talk about how winners got lucky while setting their own bar for success as low as possible.

If we don’t make the NCAA tournament in year one, hiring GMac is well on the way to being a massive failure. Period, end of story.

 

[bnoro]

If Gerry doesn't make the tournament with the massive NIL people are saying he's bringing in, he should be fired (But SU will give him another year, and if we don't make the tournament, he'll get one more chance. By then there will be 10 people in the Dome and players will be looking at SU like Depaul).

 

[Cusefan95]

I don't understand why the people really excited for GMAC to be coach would have anything other than high expectations.

Otherwise, what is it you actually want - a competitive program, or just a specific guy in charge?

There’s a contingent that is horrified by the prospect of Syracuse ever being coached by a guy that didn’t also play here. Now that they got their way, they are going to work to set the bar for success as low as possible. They’d rather lose with GMac than win with a guy who didn’t go to SU.

This does not apply to the pro-GMac folks that are saying it’s NCAA tourney or bust in year one. That is a position I can align with.

 

[OmahaCuse]

If Gerry doesn't make the tournament with the massive NIL people are saying he's bringing in, he should be fired (But SU will give him another year, and if we don't make the tournament, he'll get one more chance. By then there will be 10 people in the Dome and players will be looking at SU like Depaul).

Not sure it works that way. Since each year is “new” in today’s world every coach who does not make the tournament despite injuries etc. should be fired? Instead the boosters need to make a long term commitment to a program and growing NIL each year. The hope is you pay a core group of guys that stay a few years and plug some NIL guys in around them for continued succes.

 

[Roc44]

If Gerry doesn't make the tournament with the massive NIL people are saying he's bringing in, he should be fired (But SU will give him another year, and if we don't make the tournament, he'll get one more chance. By then there will be 10 people in the Dome and players will be looking at SU like

 

[81South]

Top 25 by midpoint of season. ACC tournament semi-finals. No lower than 5 seed in NCAA tournament.

 

[Yeti]

I want to not be terrible. Full stop.

 

[AngryOtto]

A product that’s not only worth watching but scheduling your day to watch. Under the last few years of JB and Red I stopped planning my day around the game to watch. Product was unwatchable at times. If the product improves so will the wins.

 

[Knicks411]

Expectations in 2026/27 season.

Team FT % at 72.5% or better.
Siena was 12th in pts. allowed. I want to see CUSE in the top 100.
Speed.
Continued improvement throughout the season.
Average at Christmas...Dome is rockin' by March 1.

The two I bolded are a little at odds; Siena was 162nd in defensive efficiency but played at a glacially slow place.

I do think the tournament should be the minimum, and a pretty reasonable additional goal is something like "considered safely in the field by the middle of February".

 

[Zelda Zonk]

I don't understand why the people really excited for GMAC to be coach would have anything other than high expectations.

Otherwise, what is it you actually want - a competitive program, or just a specific guy in charge?

I think an "expectation" is different from a 'want.'
Expectations are grounded in reality, no? What is 'optimistically realistic,' not just bald optimism. At least, that's how i interpreted/answered the question.

 

[HyattsCuse]

I want to watch Syracuse games again where when I look at the score displayed on TV, there is a number in front of Syracuse.

If Gerry can do that in Year 1, the future will be bright.

 

[bnoro]

Not sure it works that way. Since each year is “new” in today’s world every coach who does not make the tournament despite injuries etc. should be fired? Instead the boosters need to make a long term commitment to a program and growing NIL each year. The hope is you pay a core group of guys that stay a few years and plug some NIL guys in around them for continued succes.

If 90% of the roster doesn't come back, Gerry doesn't get the excuse of "it's the last guy's team, he needs his own guys in here".

The only guarantee of getting more NIL year after year is to make the tournament and get people around the program excited enough to donate.

The bump in excitement the program got with hiring Gerry will very quickly go away if he misses the tournament. If that happens, where is the money coming from?

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think an "expectation" is different from a 'want.'
Expectations are grounded in reality, no? What is 'optimistically realistic,' not just bald optimism. At least, that's how i interpreted/answered the question.

If you're excited for Gerry because you think he's an awesome coach, wouldn't you expect an awesome coach to have awesome results?

 

[donniesyracuse]

Can we at least wait until we see a staff, GM and roster?

No! Gerry is a winner! He will find a way to win no matter what.

 

[donniesyracuse]

Now that they got their way, they are going to work to set the bar for success as low as possible.

I’m ready for the “…he was recovering from surgery so he couldn’t hit the ground running…” excuse.

 

[twinight]

I think some of the low bar setting is because of how adamant some here were that GMac was “the guy”. Now that the folks that are convinced we should never, ever consider a coach that didn’t play at Syracuse carried the day - the focus has shifted to setting the bar for “success” in year one as low as possible. It’s just a continuation of the loser mentality within the fanbase and administration that has infected Syracuse for years. Losers talk about how winners got lucky while setting their own bar for success as low as possible.

Are you imagining there's some large contingent of pro-Gerry fans that has low expectations so you can get riled up about something?

 

[Orangezoo]

If Gerry doesn't make the tournament with the massive NIL people are saying he's bringing in, he should be fired (But SU will give him another year, and if we don't make the tournament, he'll get one more chance. By then there will be 10 people in the Dome and players will be looking at SU like Depaul).

Yes there is a singular acceptable minimum expectation. Is there a bunch of people challenging that or are several of you manifesting there is?

I’m trying to find where there is this huge contingent of posters and fans who are saying life is good because the guy we wanted is going to try his hardest and he gets to stay no matter what happens. Care to point out these posts?

 

[Orangezoo]

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. UConn was prepared and saw success when opportunity presented itself. Syracuse has been consistently unprepared for a decade. Even if there was an opportunity, there was no way to take advantage of it. And even if GMac is an “opportunity” - we’re not going to take advantage of it if “more competitive than the 2026 trainwreck” is the bar decision-makers have set.

I think some of the low bar setting is because of how adamant some here were that GMac was “the guy”. Now that the folks that are convinced we should never, ever consider a coach that didn’t play at Syracuse carried the day - the focus has shifted to setting the bar for “success” in year one as low as possible. It’s just a continuation of the loser mentality within the fanbase and administration that has infected Syracuse for years. Losers talk about how winners got lucky while setting their own bar for success as low as possible.

If we don’t make the NCAA tournament in year one, hiring GMac is well on the way to being a massive failure. Period, end of story.

Not sure why you chose my post given I’ve said I have high expectations that must be met already. Is there a bunch of posters who are giving him a free pass to just win a few more games and we are happy?? I’ve not seen any of that on here at all. Also anyone who does feel that way is out of touch.

 

[Cusefan95]

Not sure why you chose my post given I’ve said I have high expectations that must be met already. Is there a bunch of posters who are giving him a free pass to just win a few more games and we are happy?? I’ve not seen any of that on here at all. Also anyone who does feel that way is out of touch.

Anyone saying less than “clear NCAA tournament team” is giving a free pass. There’s several of them. And I know you’re not one of them - but my point was more around saying UConn got lucky. Every winning team has “lucky breaks”. But they worked to get in a position where a lucky break can happen. It’s a bad idea to focus on those breaks since they aren’t repeatable. UConn put in the effort and earned their success. As much as I hate UConn, I can accept that and not call it luck that they have won six titles.

 

[Orangezoo]

Anyone saying less than “clear NCAA tournament team” is giving a free pass. There’s several of them. And I know you’re not one of them - but my point was more around saying UConn got lucky. Every winning team has “lucky breaks”. But they worked to get in a position where a lucky break can happen. It’s a bad idea to focus on those breaks since they aren’t repeatable. UConn put in the effort and earned their success. As much as I hate UConn, I can accept that and not call it luck that they have won six titles.

Then you misunderstood my point around the fact that you need some things to break your way to get certain opportunities. It’s a reality in sports that things break your way often for teams that win like UConn. I said it in other posts that it’s not they didn’t earn their success but it’s also true they had good fortune break their direction. No different then we had some misfortune like AOs injury and Fabs issue break the wrong direction. It’s a reality not an excuse or an asterisk. We played in Albany in 2003 which was to our benefit and we took advantage.

Also either they are on ignore or it’s hyperbole but I’ve not seen a single post saying not making the tourney is acceptable and it’s not worth going on a rant on my post to point out a tiny fraction of posters who supposedly are fine with no tourney in year 1. Just ignore them.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

If you're excited for Gerry because you think he's an awesome coach, wouldn't you expect an awesome coach to have awesome results?

I was responding this specific line: "I don't understand why the people really excited for GMAC to be coach would have anything other than high expectations."

I think people can be "excited" about Gerry's prospects while still having tempered expectations about the results. Our results won't be a 1:1 reflection of Gerry's acumen. And all the other teams will have 'good' coaches, too. With more experience. Some with more money. Better players. We have no idea what Gerry will have to work with, so "awesome coach" doesn't really provide enough data to form an expectation.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Our results won't be a 1:1 reflection of Gerry's acumen.

That's exactly what they are.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Anybody read Neal Adler's Loud House piece on 3 potential recruits?

The Charlotte center certainly is big and can hit a 3, so ok, I can see that one. He doesn't look too mobile, though. But he could anchor Sadiq and Donnie.

The 6-0 G from Oregon, Jackson Shelson, only played 12 games last year? Sounds like he's coming off an injury, and his 3 point shooting cratered this past year. Hope the injury isn't related to his shooting motion (like JJ ...).

The third kid, the Cornell guard who is 6-4 and has a multi-year track record shooting from three seems like a good bench piece.

But adding those guys to some Siena guys doesn't sound like a tournament team to me.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Tournament or it's a complete failure

This is the truth. We want him to have time. But the people giving the money will only do it once, unless the results are plain to see.

 

[baggerbob]

There’s a contingent that is horrified by the prospect of Syracuse ever being coached by a guy that didn’t also play here. Now that they got their way, they are going to work to set the bar for success as low as possible. They’d rather lose with GMac than win with a guy who didn’t go to SU.

This does not apply to the pro-GMac folks that are saying it’s NCAA tourney or bust in year one. That is a position I can align with.

Sorry but just making the tourney isn't enough we need to be at least a 5 or 6 seed
being among the top 25 at the end of the years.