Gerry McNamara Interview with Jon Rothstein

[M2MPrinciples]

Gerry McNamara building Syracuse roster to win at all costs, not please the Twitter world

Gerry McNamara said on Tuesday what I've been opining over the past week or so. While some Orange fans are lamenting that the Syracuse basketball 2026-27 roster

insidetheloudhouse.com

 

[Orangezoo]

Twitter and fan message boards contain the highest concentration of drastically underpaid collegiate sports talent evaluators and up and coming coaches. It’s a shame this isn’t given the attention it deserves.

 

[DomeHolmes]

It’s not Xs and Os and it’s not talent related but anyone who says the confused looks as well as frustration without mandating accountability haven’t been a problem the last 7-10 years is in denial. The end of JBs tenure and then Reds tenure simply lacked that fire and accountability Gerry brings and that he’s getting at with his comments. Making sure games are not lost on those grounds is important.

Absolutely true. There were so many games against both good and bad teams last year, where at halftime we were right in the game only to completely collapse in the second half. Several things happened every game that you could absolutely bank on happening with regularity. It does not seem like fixing any of them required better players. Just accountability and discipline and coaching.

1. One of the two biggest daggers was our lazy poor angle passes into lanes being watched by opposing players, leading to easy two points the other way. George, Betsy, and Freeman were the worst offenders. It happened every game, several times a game.

2. The other big one was more a coaching issue. Poor perimeter defense combined with no interior presence. Teams had way too many uncontested layups. Especially in the second half. I hope Gerry emphasizes centers keeping a foot in the paint at all times unless the 5 is a true 3 point threat.

3. Players losing the ball on isolation plays. Players did not consistently clear out enough when our guys, Donnie, especially, went into iso. That led to our isolation player getting his pocket picked by a secondary defender who had an easy path to the basket the other way. Also, the communication that there was a secondary defender coming, did not seem to be there.

These three things always seemed to happen in bunches for a 7-10 minute stretch of the second half where games were lost. These things happen when there’s little attention to detail and no accountability for repeating mistakes.

 

[RedtheGOB]

Absolutely true. There were so many games against both good and bad teams last year, where at halftime we were right in the game only to completely collapse in the second half. Several things happened every game that you could absolutely bank on happening with regularity. It does not seem like fixing any of them required better players. Just accountability and discipline and coaching.

1. One of the two biggest daggers was our lazy poor angle passes into lanes being watched by opposing players, leading to easy two points the other way. George, Betsy, and Freeman were the worst offenders. It happened every game, several times a game.

2. The other big one was more a coaching issue. Poor perimeter defense combined with no interior presence. Teams had way too many uncontested layups. Especially in the second half. I hope Gerry emphasizes centers keeping a foot in the paint at all times unless the 5 is a true 3 point threat.

3. Players losing the ball on isolation plays. Players did not consistently clear out enough when our guys, Donnie, especially, went into iso. That led to our isolation player getting his pocket picked by a secondary defender who had an easy path to the basket the other way. Also, the communication that there was a secondary defender coming, did not seem to be there.

These three things always seemed to happen in bunches for a 7-10 minute stretch of the second half where games were lost. These things happen when there’s little attention to detail and no accountability for repeating mistakes.

Hah. Donnie passing out of a double team was insane to watch.

 

[Orangezoo]

Absolutely true. There were so many games against both good and bad teams last year, where at halftime we were right in the game only to completely collapse in the second half. Several things happened every game that you could absolutely bank on happening with regularity. It does not seem like fixing any of them required better players. Just accountability and discipline and coaching.

1. One of the two biggest daggers was our lazy poor angle passes into lanes being watched by opposing players, leading to easy two points the other way. George, Betsy, and Freeman were the worst offenders. It happened every game, several times a game.

2. The other big one was more a coaching issue. Poor perimeter defense combined with no interior presence. Teams had way too many uncontested layups. Especially in the second half. I hope Gerry emphasizes centers keeping a foot in the paint at all times unless the 5 is a true 3 point threat.

3. Players losing the ball on isolation plays. Players did not consistently clear out enough when our guys, Donnie, especially, went into iso. That led to our isolation player getting his pocket picked by a secondary defender who had an easy path to the basket the other way. Also, the communication that there was a secondary defender coming, did not seem to be there.

These three things always seemed to happen in bunches for a 7-10 minute stretch of the second half where games were lost. These things happen when there’s little attention to detail and no accountability for repeating mistakes.

On point number two, I was really impressed the discipline defensively watching his Siena team play with having defenders rotate and drop but not over or under commit so they end up getting beat easily on a back cut or being unable to contest a shooter. It’s a smart strategy that mixes multiple defensive concepts together depending on the matchup.

It isn’t anything super complex and requires good communication but it’s very effective when you factor everyone wants to continue to rely more on layups and 3s given what the analytics say. If

 

[OmahaCuse]

Correct. Word though is that seniors are already planning to take this to court. Based off what we’ve seen previously (JUCO, etc) I’m not sure what kind of chances the NCAA has of winning.

If they start winning, my god what a mess it could become.

Yep, although by the time this drags on can’t see it impacting 2026…Lets hope common sense applies.

 

[AlaskaSU]

G-mac is going to be our coach for a very long time. Lots of posters should be eating crow over the next decades.

 

[bnoro]

Well, will you describe what is ridiculous about it to you?

Red said he was going to win at all costs too. It's just a bunch of lip service and no one knows if this team is going to be good or not.

Saying he's not building it for the fans on twitter is just insinuating we didn't have the ability to go after program-changing names, because those are the type of kids the fans online wanted.

It's just the author projecting his thoughts that "we should all be happy because Gerry said his goal is to have a team that is going to win at all costs."

 

[Cusefan0307]

Red said he was going to win at all costs too. It's just a bunch of lip service and no one knows if this team is going to be good or not.

Saying he's not building it for the fans on twitter is just insinuating we didn't have the ability to go after program-changing names, because those are the type of kids the fans online wanted.

It's just the author projecting his thoughts that "we should all be happy because Gerry said his goal is to have a team that is going to win at all costs."

You realize you’re insinuating too in your post right now? Who the fans think is good isn’t always who is good. Sometimes a MM kid that is productive is better than a mediocre power 5 player that is somewhat productive. Herding isn’t always right. People here thought Wilkins is great while avoiding discussing his terrible turnover rate.

 

[tptcuse]

If Gmac is comfortable with the PG position, then I am comfortable with PG position. I am 144% certain that he would not go into the season without that completely covered. He knows what he is doing. I personally find it comical for those second guessing him. And Moesch continues to be dismissed when he in fact outplayed all the elite PGs he faced last year. Trust the process.

How would we know whether or not GMac is comfortable with the PG position?

 

[Col. Bleep]

GMac just resonates as a winner.
Don't want to be optimistic...but can't help it.

As for MSG...bring in G-town for an old school showdown.

In fact, bring in Pitt and SJU.
Let the Orange and Pitt play a game each against those BE teams.

You don't see SJU or Duke or Michigan State avoiding tough games early.

 

[sufan59]

Red said he was going to win at all costs too. It's just a bunch of lip service and no one knows if this team is going to be good or not.

Saying he's not building it for the fans on twitter is just insinuating we didn't have the ability to go after program-changing names, because those are the type of kids the fans online wanted.

It's just the author projecting his thoughts that "we should all be happy because Gerry said his goal is to have a team that is going to win at all costs."

Gerry is not batting 100% with this roster, I would say more like 70% to 75% of getting target A which is probably a lot better than most coaches even at the power conference level can say in their first year. Obviously a little different now with the portal. And it’s not just money, the first reason is gaining a reputation. That’s what is the most important thing next season is Gerry gaining a good reputation of maximizing what he has.

I guess you can bypass the reputation thing by doubling an offer over another coach who has a better one, but that is not sustainable unless you literally win the national championship year 1. I think the Twitter comment is fans getting upset of losing guys that he wouldn’t even target. You say it’s because he doesn’t have ability to target those players and that’s where I disagree with you. I’m overall happy with the vision and approach and that can change overtime, every coach is always adjusting that while sticking to their core principles. I like Gerry’s core principles.

 

[bnoro]

You realize you’re insinuating too in your post right now? Who the fans think is good isn’t always who is good. Sometimes a MM kid that is productive is better than a mediocre power 5 player that is somewhat productive. Herding isn’t always right. People here thought Wilkins is great while avoiding discussing his terrible turnover rate.

100% but the article posted is preachy and more like "well if you have a different opinion than Gerry you're wrong and you don't have the right to complain".

The fans don't always know who's good but I'd bet that a lot of the players we wanted have big seasons this year.

 

[Orangepace]

I love how supportive everyone is of playing at MSG, but the football side complains heavily when a game is moved to Metlife.

 

[sufan59]

I love how supportive everyone is of playing at MSG, but the football side complains heavily when a game is moved to Metlife.

The value propositions are completely different. Syracuse should try to play a tri state football game a year in the regular season as long as it doesn’t have a cost of not having your highest branded home game not at home. Syracuse basketball needs its January and February home games being relevant events again.

 

[rrlbees]

I love how supportive everyone is of playing at MSG, but the football side complains heavily when a game is moved to Metlife.

A bball game at msg is 1 of 30 games and not a home game moved there. Fball is usually a home game moved. 1 of just 6-7.

 

[sufan59]

A bball game at msg is 1 of 30 games and not a home game moved there. Fball is usually a home game moved. 1 of just 6-7.

And it was at the cost of programs like Penn State, Notre Dame, and USC not coming to the Dome. Yankee stadium that one time for Notre Dame I think was a home game for them.

 

[NKR1978]

Gerry McNamara building Syracuse roster to win at all costs, not please the Twitter world

Gerry McNamara said on Tuesday what I've been opining over the past week or so. While some Orange fans are lamenting that the Syracuse basketball 2026-27 roster

insidetheloudhouse.com

"Dear Leader shot an 18 at Drumlins" vibes.

 

[Irishsecra1]

1

I also think it’s smart of him where he said no one knows what’s gonna happen with the 5 for 5 and we’ll have more clarity in the coming days and there will be a lot of elite guys back on the board for this year if it passes for this year. So I got the hunch he is waiting on that before making a move on PG….if we can grab a good senior point guard from that ruling this year…this team is in great shape. I said in another post earlier today, I will feel a lot better and reallll good about this team if we can grab a good lead point guard. This will be a really good all around team if we have that. That’s the ONE missing piece right now and I think Gmac knows that. He knows what he is doing and he has a plan.

Not what anyone wants to hear, but he will probably try to grab Justice Shoats his starting PG at Siena if 5 for 5 does apply retroactively.
Only 5, 11 but held his own. Nowhere as good as Doty or Folefac but a great leader, and could provide a veteran presence on the bench and give some minutes as needed.

 

[Cappy3]

Not what anyone wants to hear, but he will probably try to grab Justice Shoats his starting PG at Siena if 5 for 5 does apply retroactively.
Only 5, 11 but held his own. Nowhere as good as Doty or Folefac but a great leader, and could provide a veteran presence on the bench and give some minutes as needed.

Oh Gawd No!

 

[rrlbees]

Not what anyone wants to hear, but he will probably try to grab Justice Shoats his starting PG at Siena if 5 for 5 does apply retroactively.
Only 5, 11 but held his own. Nowhere as good as Doty or Folefac but a great leader, and could provide a veteran presence on the bench and give some minutes as needed.

pg moesch
2g shoats
sf doty
pf folefac
c goodrick

lets do it.

 

[SaveSUHoops]

Not what anyone wants to hear, but he will probably try to grab Justice Shoats his starting PG at Siena if 5 for 5 does apply retroactively.
Only 5, 11 but held his own. Nowhere as good as Doty or Folefac but a great leader, and could provide a veteran presence on the bench and give some minutes as needed.

Kudos to you sir, this might be your best work yet.

 

[orange79]

Kudos to you sir ma'am, this might be your best work yet.

FIFY

 

[orangenauburn]

You can pad a schedule and get a false sense of hope or you can go out and swim in the deep end. Last year showed the mentality of trying to steal a couple and feast on the bottom of D1 didn’t work out well. A lot of that was coaching and mentality.

Skepticism is is what it is but it’s not a crystal ball. 24 wins and 1 decent non conference game is no different than 17 wins with some actual challenges. Hiding in the dessert aisle isn’t going to do any favors this go around.

Tom Izzo approach. Bring them on.

 

[tptcuse]

pg moesch
2g shoats
sf doty
pf folefac
c goodrick

lets do it.

but imagine the "culture"...