Welcome Back GMac Event / Presser

[Consigliere]

To be fair, Autry mentioned wanting to play fast and we all know how that worked out.

At the end of the day, efficiency and looking turnovers are two of the biggest things. Yes, more specifics would be great. But, I think the important thing is that Gerry understands what is needed. At least it’s my belief he understands. Executing is another story. But, my biggest issue with Autry was he never knew the true problems with his teams. And you can’t fix problems if you don’t understand what they truly are.

Gerry’s understanding and ADAPTABILITY I believe will be two of his biggest assets.

High efficiency offense + Consistently strong defense = a #**#!load of wins.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I believe Gerry, but no one ever wins a press conference by saying "We're gonna play like Tony Bennett's UVA teams." GMac even alluded to the fact that it's become cliche for coaches to start off saying that we're gonna play fast and efficient.

Positional size is sort of the buzzword now, the way "positionless basketball" took off a decade ago. Big guards who are still nimble enough to show athleticism, imposing bigs who can still stretch defenses, etc.

As someone who didn't really check in on Gerry at Siena, I was again impressed by his communication skills. He obviously has a plan not only for what he wants to accomplish but how he's going to go about it, from the coaching itself to rallying donors and targeting the "right" players. And he's clearly invested from a personal standpoint. I especially liked how he answered the DO reporter who said that he's going to graduate without having seen SU play a tournament game and how adamantly Gerry doesn't want that to happen again.

Agree with the last part. And bottom line… that “stat” is ridiculous!

Top tier D1 athletics are a big draw to this school. Period end of story. Under 0 circumstances should there be a 4 year stretch we are not playing in March. Ever.

He obviously understands it because it is, well, obvious.

 

[Orangezoo]

One other thing- the UVA tempo had a Ken Pom Tempo score at 59 looking back into the prime of Tony Bennett’s run there. Siena runs at 64. Florida who was 31 in adjusted tempo at 70. The UVA version of a slow tempo is still a whole different boring animal vs being in that 64-67 range.

 

[JSCuse]

Watched the event yesterday.
Haven't read the comments yet.
Obviously, the energy level was high.
Cool to see JB, FLJ, GG, & FB, etc.
Blair didn't say much.
GMacs energy was high as well.
However, he left some things unsaid that must frustrate his detractors. Regarding the playing style question, his words were basically: 'play efficiently, limit turnovers, play with good effort''.
And, he kind of dismissed the notion about other coaches promising to play fast.

I read a quote from the Iowa coach about how he deals with other teams' negative recruiting against his teams because they play so slowly. His answer was similar to what McNamara spoke of about efficiency on offense.

Siena played slowly. When McNamara was asked about offense, we heard about what to do with the shot clock winding down. It sounds like Syracuse under McNamara will play as one of the slowest teams in the country. It's a concern. All the top teams play fast for a reason. Slow play is going to be an issue in acquiring players and winning.

 

[Orangezoo]

I read a quote from the Iowa coach about how he deals with other teams' negative recruiting against his teams because they play so slowly. His answer was similar to what McNamara spoke of about efficiency on offense.

Siena played slowly. When McNamara was asked about offense, we heard about what to do with the shot clock winding down. It sounds like Syracuse under McNamara will play as one of the slowest teams in the country. It's a concern. All the top teams play fast for a reason. Slow play is going to be an issue in acquiring players and winning.

No all the top teams do not play fast. As already posted many times - UConn and Illinois both play at a pace very close to the pace Siena played at. Purdue played at a pace slower than Siena. When you go to KenPom and look at tempo rankings you get the facts vs this misnomer that the only way to win is to play at a frenetic fast paced tempo.

Also a slower tempo per the metrics does not mean you don’t get out on the break. It’s a mixed bag but overall there is a massive misconception about the only teams that win play fast.

 

[007]

I read a quote from the Iowa coach about how he deals with other teams' negative recruiting against his teams because they play so slowly. His answer was similar to what McNamara spoke of about efficiency on offense.

Siena played slowly. When McNamara was asked about offense, we heard about what to do with the shot clock winding down. It sounds like Syracuse under McNamara will play as one of the slowest teams in the country. It's a concern. All the top teams play fast for a reason. Slow play is going to be an issue in acquiring players and winning.

Whether you play fast or slow, having a plan in place when the shot clock is winding down is the smart play. Attention to details, and the ability to communicate that to the players, is what matters. It doesn't necessary mean that Gerry will play slow. It does suggest his teams will be prepared for that inevitable situation.

 

[Cusefan0307]

10 of the top 20 teams in KP had a tempo in the bottom third of the country. I think Gmac will run when it allows, but it's pretty apparent his focus is on limiting turnovers. Siena averaged nearly the same amount of possessions per game as Duke, Illinois, Purdue, UConn, Tennessee and was at a faster pace than Iowa and Houston.

 

[phil77]

10 of the top 20 teams in KP had a tempo in the bottom third of the country. I think Gmac will run when it allows, but it's pretty apparent his focus is on limiting turnovers. Siena averaged nearly the same amount of possessions per game as Duke, Illinois, Purdue, UConn, Tennessee and was at a faster pace than Iowa and Houston.

It is fine if that is how he wants to play but to play slow and win at the rate of those teams, GMac will have to bring in NBA-level talent. We will need a serious upgrade in talent. Can't be a combo of Syracuse and Siena players and win that way. We will need real NBA-type players on the roster.

 

[Sherman20]

Agree with the last part. And bottom line… that “stat” is ridiculous!

Top tier D1 athletics are a big draw to this school. Period end of story. Under 0 circumstances should there be a 4 year stretch we are not playing in March. Ever.

He obviously understands it because it is, well, obvious.

At Syracuse, the minimum expectation should be to make the tournament every single year. It’s smart to say he’s not in the business of making predictions, and of course that might not happen every year (even JB missed it occasionally), but the expectation should be to at least make the tournament every year. I hope he reiterates that as we go on.

 

[Sherman20]

I read a quote from the Iowa coach about how he deals with other teams' negative recruiting against his teams because they play so slowly. His answer was similar to what McNamara spoke of about efficiency on offense.

Siena played slowly. When McNamara was asked about offense, we heard about what to do with the shot clock winding down. It sounds like Syracuse under McNamara will play as one of the slowest teams in the country. It's a concern. All the top teams play fast for a reason. Slow play is going to be an issue in acquiring players and winning.

I understand the concern of slow play, but I don’t know if Gmac is actually saying we’ll be one of the slowest teams in the country. I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion at all. I think Gerry likes playing fast, just based on his playing days, but efficiency and not turning over the ball matter more. Once we have better horses (and that might take a couple of years as he grows the program), we can play faster if we’re still efficient and don’t turn over the ball too much. The elite 2009-2010 team pushed the pace relentlessly and was a great fast breaking team (and its one weakness was a bit too many turnovers at times), but they could also play efficiently at a slower pace when needed. Whatever is going to get the best, most efficient shots is key.

 

[Orangezoo]

At Syracuse, the minimum expectation is to make the tournament every single year. It’s smart to say he’s not in the business of making predictions, and of course that might not happen every year (even JB missed it occasionally), but the expectation should be to at least make the tournament every year. I hope he reiterates that as we go on.

Winning is what matters and the level of winning is self explanatory. I don’t take issue with Gerry not saying anything about minimum expectations. When he says he came to win and we know why he’s here - it’s very much implied what he’s getting at and that’s not to fill the dome for an NIT program.

 

[Orangezoo]

I understand the concern of slow play, but I don’t know if Gmac is actually saying we’ll be one of the slowest teams in the country. I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion at all. I think Gerry likes playing fast, just based on his playing days, but efficiency and not turning over the ball matter more. Once we have better horses (and that might take a couple of years as he grows the program), we can play faster if we’re still efficient and don’t turn over the ball too much. The elite 2009-2010 team was a great fast breaking team (and its one weakness was a bit too many turnovers), but could also play efficiently at a slower pace when needed. Whatever is going to get the best, most efficient shots is key.

Bingo. Perfectly said.

 

[LarryC44]

After 4 years out of the tournament, I don't care about pace. I just want to see wins and a return to the tournament

 

[orangefog]

It's funny, even a team with a slower pace of play can be more exciting if it has constant movement. The efficiency comes from ball movement to find good shots. Good basketball even at a slower pace is enjoyable to watch.

 

[swish7]

To be fair, Autry mentioned wanting to play fast and we all know how that worked out.

At the end of the day, efficiency and looking turnovers are two of the biggest things. Yes, more specifics would be great. But, I think the important thing is that Gerry understands what is needed. At least it’s my belief he understands. Executing is another story. But, my biggest issue with Autry was he never knew the true problems with his teams. And you can’t fix problems if you don’t understand what they truly are.

Gerry’s understanding and ADAPTABILITY I believe will be two of his biggest assets.

What I like about UConn & some other teams is they can play either slow or 'fast' when they need to.

Big fan of some efficiency. Bigger fan of the right people taking good shots when good rebounders are in position.

Obviously I supported McNamara through the process, even though I heard a rumor someone even better than he and Hodgson was being targeted.

My main comment here is McNamara didn't say much to make people who wanted a faster more modern offense feel better.

At the end of the day though, the recruits running these offenses are way more important.

 

[Sherman20]

It's funny, even a team with a slower pace of play can be more exciting if it has constant movement. The efficiency comes from ball movement to find good shots. Good basketball even at a slower pace is enjoyable to watch.

Agreed. But if I see players standing around the perimeter next year and not moving effectively off of screens, cutting into the lane and moving into open space, and setting off-ball screens, I will lose my mind. Red failed because he was a poor communicator and was bad at designing and coaching an effective offense.

 

[MikeSU02]

The elite 8 and final four have teams playing as slow as Siena with Illinois and UConn ranked at Kenpom tempo at 296 and 319 to Siena 321.

The larger point here is controlling tempo to dictate how the game flows. Efficiency matters more than pace.

Efficiency first, always. Sing it to the gods. Glad we're all coming around on it. Glad GMac demands it.

Also, two things about fast-pace play (which I love, to be clear): it demands rebounding proficiency to start the break, at least two guys that can push tempo with the ball and have high end handles (again, totally fine) and then you need to be able to finish at the rim and at the three point line.

I love all of it. But it's very demanding on rebounding, the primary lead guard and a secondary ball handler.

Second, once you get to one and done tournaments, you have to be able to play in the half court at some point. And especially when it gets to better teams.

Also, efficient offense, using high pick and roll (like every other team in the universe), whatever concepts we run out of that, will *feel* fast pace if we execute.

Offenses feel slow when the initial action is corrupted and then it falls apart and contingency concepts are awful as well.

Make offense feel simple, it will feel fast.

 

[Orangezoo]

Efficiency first, always. Sing it to the gods. Glad we're all coming around on it. Glad GMac demands it.

Also, two things about fast-pace play (which I love, to be clear): it demands rebounding proficiency to start the break, at least two guys that can push tempo with the ball and have high end handles (again, totally fine) and then you need to be able to finish at the rim and at the three point line.

I love all of it. But it's very demanding on rebounding, the primary lead guard and a secondary ball handler.

Second, once you get to one and done tournaments, you have to be able to play in the half court at some point. And especially when it gets to better teams.

Also, efficient offense, using high pick and roll (like every other team in the universe), whatever concepts we run out of that, will *feel* fast pace if we execute.

Offenses feel slow when the initial action is corrupted and then it falls apart and contingency concepts are awful as well.

Make offense feel simple, it will feel fast.

Great summary- and to your point when you have the personnel and skill sets to push off a rebound without risking giving up too many offensive rebounds that’s such a luxury. You look at Houston, elite on the boards and defensively and yet they play a slower pace. They also, and it’s really the only knock, are not super efficient year in year out in the half court( even though overall offensive efficiency is really good). You go back to the days when when smoked OU in the elite 8- Sampson never made great half court offense a focus. His goal is attack the glass. Not that you can’t win it all that way - there are more than a few ways to win.

 

[Ozone!]

I feel like Gerry will assess the other teams offensive and defensive strategies and game plan around frustrating those strategies!​

 

[CNYGuy]

What I like about UConn & some other teams is they can play either slow or 'fast' when they need to.

Big fan of some efficiency. Bigger fan of the right people taking good shots when good rebounders are in position.

Obviously I supported McNamara through the process, even though I heard a rumor someone even better than he and Hodgson was being targeted.

My main comment here is McNamara didn't say much to make people who wanted a faster more modern offense feel better.

At the end of the day though, the recruits running these offenses are way more important.

some fans who may critique that equate movement on offense to pace, but they’re totally different. There are something like 360 DI teams now… uconn (64.7 possessions per game) and Siena (64.6 possessions per game) played at pretty much the exact same pace this year, which ranked about 320th nationally.

I don’t think people call UConn a boring or not-modern offense. 2025-26 Syracuse played much “faster” than both of those teams, (179th nationally) but I’d call our offense this past year stagnant.

 

[orangefog]

some fans who may critique that equate movement on offense to pace, but they’re totally different. There are something like 360 DI teams now… uconn (64.7 possessions per game) and Siena (64.6 possessions per game) played at pretty much the exact same pace this year, which ranked about 320th nationally.

I don’t think people call UConn a boring or not-modern offense. 2025-26 Syracuse played much “faster” than both of those teams, (179th nationally) but I’d call our offense this past year stagnant.

That's the beauty of giving up quick buckets, you get more possessions.

 

[A Clockwork Orange]

I love how young, yet confident and well spoken he is. He, along with GMac and Fran can really energize the donors and fanbase at large.

I have a colleague at work who has met Brian at different NCAA meetups and says he is the real deal. He went out of his way to stop me in the hall and tell me that. Said he is a slam dunk hire. It was nice to hear that from someone who has worked with dozens of athletic departments and AD's in his time in higher ed.

 

[bballbeadle]

So here