Red opens up about new Syracuse players:

[Sherman20]

Starling has a long stretch of ACC play at the end of his sophomore year where over 16 games he shot .363 on 5.7 three point attempts per game. He also shot .579 on twos in that same period, on 7.1 attempts per game.

That a total of 12.8 shots per game, high volume but not insane. He was extremely efficient as well, averaging 15.9 in those 12.8 shots with only 1.9 free throws per game. If we could combine that with his improved passing he exhibited last season, we’ve got an all American type player on offense.

This, combined with an improvement in defense, is my dream for him this season, actually.

I think that stretch of Starling’s sophomore year was because he had a better PG in Judah and better players around him overall, and he was finally getting past the shoulder and hand injuries from his freshman year at ND. Last year he had to be the man and do too much and had no shooters around him. I expect him to be much better and more efficient on offense. I just hope he works hard on his defensive development in the offseason. That’s his biggest weakness right now.

 

[Niastri]

I think that stretch of Starling’s sophomore year was because he had a better PG in Judah and better players around him overall, and he was finally getting past the shoulder and hand injuries from his freshman year at ND. Last year he had to be the man and do too much and had no shooters around him. I expect him to be much better and more efficient on offense. I just hope he works hard on his defensive development in the offseason. That’s his biggest weakness right now.

I agree completely. If Starling is healthy, having George as the point guard should make him a much more efficient player.

I think Syracuse fans have forgotten what it’s like to have an actual point guard running things. Everything gets so much easier.

Guys like Mintz, Girard, Howard, and Gbinije were good players, but not really lead guards… We’re going back to Ennis in ‘13-14 to find our last point guard anything like George.

 

[bevosu]

ESPN...sorry if this was posted. It was published in late May.

Final 2025 men's NCAA basketball recruiting class rankings​

14. Syracuse Orange​

January ranking: 12

Top recruit: Sadiq White (No. 27)

Syracuse was one of the first to strike in the 2025 class, landing White, a talented forward from North Carolina last spring. He's a terrific athlete and will either replace current freshman Donnie Freeman or play alongside him in one of the most explosive frontcourts in the country. But the commitment that pushed the Orange into the top 15 was Kiyan Anthony (No. 35), son of Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is an elite scorer with supreme confidence and unlimited range on his jumper.

Red Autry is also bringing in a pair of wings in four-star Australia native Luke Fennel and three-star Aaron Womack from Milwaukee.

Final 2025 men's recruiting class rankings: 4 new teams, plus risers and fallers

 

[wiCuse]

I'd even take 35% from 3. He hasn't come close to touching that.

I'd say 35% is possible. He shot 32% two years ago.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[IthacaMatt]

What holes do you see?

Low post scoring. We did add rim protection, though.

In close games, you need to be able to throw it into the low post, and get a layup or a foul.

Especially when the 3 point shot isn't falling, and the defense starts packing inside to cut off driving lanes.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Regarding Kingz defense, he has a positive DBPM and defensive Win Shares. He’s not great, according to the stats, but slightly positive… Why are you worried about him specifically? I think Kingz looks like who we hoped Chris Bell would be last year, a killer shooter who also does a little bit of everything else at an average or slightly better level, including defending.

I think having shot blockers behind the guards will make our defense significantly better. Last year, if they got by the guard, they had a layup. That can't happen this year. JJ and Kingz will look better defensively with agile bouncy guys backing them up.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yeah, I mean... unless Kiyan is completely unplayable he's got to see some minutes. White might be at risk of not much playing time but it's unusual for your top recruit to not get any run. I think we're optimistic about Fennell.

It's highly unlikely that any freshmen start but I think those dudes will see minutes.

I think Fennell SHOULD play, because JJ is not a PG. Give him a rotation each half when Georgia Tech needs a rest.

 

[OmahaCuse]

Low post scoring. We did add rim protection, though.

In close games, you need to be able to throw it into the low post, and get a layup or a foul.

Especially when the 3 point shot isn't falling, and the defense starts packing inside to cut off driving lanes.

We should be able to get offensive rebounds and Freeman can get to the basket down low

 

[Niastri]

Low post scoring. We did add rim protection, though.

In close games, you need to be able to throw it into the low post, and get a layup or a foul.

Especially when the 3 point shot isn't falling, and the defense starts packing inside to cut off driving lanes.

Freeman was a top 40 recruit after his junior year based mostly off his post game.

He hadn’t yet shown his dribble drive and three point shooting yet.

He could be the low post threat you feel we’re missing. I actually hope he works inside out this year.

Kyle also might surprise you, his highlights from before UCLA show a guy who was a go to scorer for his low D1 program, all of it near the basket.

 

[IthacaMatt]

We should be able to get offensive rebounds and Freeman can get to the basket down low

Freeman spent too much of his time at the 3 point line. Offensive rebounds are not at all the same thing as having a low post threat, and I don't think we have one.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Freeman was a top 40 recruit after his junior year based mostly off his post game.

He hadn’t yet shown his dribble drive and three point shooting yet.

He could be the low post threat you feel we’re missing. I actually hope he works inside out this year.

Kyle also might surprise you, his highlights from before UCLA show a guy who was a go to scorer for his low D1 program, all of it near the basket.

I'd like to see a high-low offense with Freeman as the pick man at the high post, and Kyle on the low block. Freeman can pop and hit that shot, or dive to the rim. Kyle is already down low for put backs and lob feeds.

 

[Niastri]

I'd like to see a high-low offense with Freeman as the pick man at the high post, and Kyle on the low block. Freeman can pop and hit that shot, or dive to the rim. Kyle is already down low for put backs and lob feeds.

Kyle running to the basket parallel to George after the pick and roll is going to be fun to watch.

TNiaAM suggested that they could run the Spain pick and roll really well together.

Having Kingz set an off ball screen to help set up the pick and roll and then pop to the perimeter while George and Kyle go to the basket could be a nightmare to defend. Especially with multitalented offensive players like Starling, Freeman, Betsey, Fennell and Anthony as the guys spreading the court from the corners.

 

[Orangezoo]

Low post scoring. We did add rim protection, though.

In close games, you need to be able to throw it into the low post, and get a layup or a foul.

Especially when the 3 point shot isn't falling, and the defense starts packing inside to cut off driving lanes.

I’d love to see just how often teams are feeding the post in late games in the modern era. Maybe guys attacking a matchup like an athletic big taking a slower defensive player to the rim but the old school feed the post to get a crunch time bucket I don’t recall seeing very often anymore.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Kyle running to the basket parallel to George after the pick and roll is going to be fun to watch.

TNiaAM suggested that they could run the Spain pick and roll really well together.

Having Kingz set an off ball screen to help set up the pick and roll and then pop to the perimeter while George and Kyle go to the basket could be a nightmare to defend. Especially with multitalented offensive players like Starling, Freeman, Betsey, Fennell and Anthony as the guys spreading the court from the corners.

You can tell by your post, we have options next year. We couldn’t do any of this last year on a consistent basis. If the lob is always in play, shooters will get wide open shots. I’m really excited about next year. They just look like athletes.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I’d love to see just how often teams are feeding the post in late games in the modern era. Maybe guys attacking a matchup like an athletic big taking a slower defensive player to the rim but the old school feed the post to get a crunch time bucket I don’t recall seeing very often anymore.

Seven of the eight teams who made the last regional finals had at least one, and usually two or more low post players who were an offensive threat. The only team who didn't was Houston.

 

[Orangezoo]

Seven of the eight teams who made the last regional finals had at least one, and usually two or more low post players who were an offensive threat. The only team who didn't was Houston.

We discussed this before and that’s not completely accurate but that’s also not what my point was either. It was about utilization.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I’d love to see just how often teams are feeding the post in late games in the modern era. Maybe guys attacking a matchup like an athletic big taking a slower defensive player to the rim but the old school feed the post to get a crunch time bucket I don’t recall seeing very often anymore.

Zack Edey, Hunter Dickenson, Paulo Bancero, Drew Timme, Adama Sonogo and Donovan Clingan for UConn, there are so many recent examples.

 

[IthacaMatt]

We discussed this before and that’s not completely accurate but that’s also not what my point was either. It was about utilization.

2024 championship game - Zack Edey, 25 FG attempts, next most for Purdue, 12 attempts, nobody else with double digits.

Donovan Clingan and Adama Sonogo the year before both were about equally used, just under 10 attempts from the field, but nobody else on the team had more than 13 shots or so. A balanced offense.

2022 Championship game - Armando Bacot, UNC, 13 FG attempts and 13 FT attempts. High usage.

 

[RedtheGOB]

Zack Edey, Hunter Dickenson, Paulo Bancero, Drew Timme, Adama Sonogo and Donovan Clingan for UConn, there are so many recent examples.

Edey and Dickinson are both pushing 30 and just got done with college. Yes There’s recent examples but let’s be real.l We gotta win in the ACC first and these types of guys aren’t on our schedule.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Edey and Dickinson are both pushing 30 and just got done with college. Yes There’s recent examples but let’s be real.l We gotta win in the ACC first and these types of guys aren’t on our schedule.

The list I gave is from the last 3 seasons. Those were the teams playing in the Final Four. Those are the most successful teams, right?

 

[23Zone]

Bottom line: Freeman + Starling + entire new team = I'm excited AF

 

[orangefog]

Bottom line: Freeman + Starling + entire new team = I'm excited AF

Yep, and everyone but Fennell are here. I hope these guys understand that they are on a mission to save Red's job and do something big. Fennell is getting some great experience. I can't wait to see this team play their first game together.

 

[sufan59]

Bottom line: Freeman + Starling + entire new team = I'm excited AF

There is sky high potential! We have some proven talent and a lot of guys with athleticism and skills that can break out as well. And it’s all under the radar because we sucked last season (it’s just what it was, good dudes, but not what Syracuse should be) They can significantly change how many perceive this program right now.

 

[Niastri]

The list I gave is from the last 3 seasons. Those were the teams playing in the Final Four. Those are the most successful teams, right?

I think the disconnect is the definition of what you mean by “low post player.” It’s pretty rare these days for any team to have a guy like Ewing or Abdul Jabbar who would just put their butt on you and make turn around jump shots over you all day long.

Edey is the exception not the rule. Most big men, even dominant ones, are rim runners, getting out in transition, or even shooting threes for their points.

Looking at the Final Four teams this season, none of them had a big man as their go to scorer. Duke was the only team with a center in their top5 in scoring. On the other hand, all four were led in scoring by three point shooters.

Having a post scorer is not essential for success.

That said, yes, it’s sweet to have a player who you can get the ball in the post and expect a high percentage scoring opportunity every time down the court. But it’s just as sweet to have a point guard who can get to the basket every play, or a high percentage three point shooter who can create their own shot… You are way too focused on one way to score.

This team has all the talent needed to score at a high rate, including post players, even if they aren’t really necessary.