Syracuse Basketball Kicks Off Crucial Season Tonight Against Binghamton

Syracuse basketball is set to begin its 2025-26 season tonight with a crucial home opener against Binghamton. This game takes place at the JMA Wireless Dome and marks Year 3 of head coach Adrian Autry’s tenure. Thus far, Autry has yet to lead the Orange back to the NCAA Tournament, extending an ongoing postseason drought that now spans four years.

Autry’s Journey as Head Coach

In his first season, Autry achieved a 20-11 record, the most wins for Syracuse in the regular season since 2014. However, this did not suffice to secure an NCAA Tournament bid. Last year proved less promising, with the Orange finishing the season at 14-19.

As the team prepares to face Binghamton, Autry is focused on restoring Syracuse’s storied basketball program to its former glory. “I want to make the tournament every year,” he stated during a recent media event, emphasizing his aspiration to avoid mediocrity.

Expectations from Athletic Director

Syracuse’s athletic director, John Wildhack, has set a somewhat ambiguous expectation for the team. Last March, he indicated he wants the Orange to “play meaningful games in March.” While the details of this expectation remain unclear, Autry is committed to delivering results.

Key Players for the Season

This season, Autry’s rebuilding strategy involves retaining two crucial players from the previous year: JJ Starling and Donnie Freeman. Starling, a senior guard, led the team in scoring with an average of 17.8 points per game last season. Freeman, a sophomore forward, is looking to bounce back from a foot injury that sidelined him for much of last season. Before his injury, he averaged 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Revamped Roster

Autry has also revamped the roster significantly, incorporating six transfers and five freshmen. Notable additions include:

• Naithan George (Georgia Tech) – Led the ACC in assists last year.
• Nate Kingz (Oregon State) – Shot 44% from beyond the arc.
• William Kyle (UCLA) – Former Defensive Player of the Year in the Summit League.

These players have demonstrated their potential by starting in both preseason exhibition games alongside Starling and Freeman.

Concerns from Exhibition Games

Despite some positive moments, Syracuse’s exhibition performances raised concerns among fans. In a 10-point victory over Buffalo, the Orange nearly squandered an 18-point lead. The following game against Pace brought similar worries, as the team struggled before finishing strong with a 28-5 run.

Following these games, Autry acknowledged the need for improvement, specifically pointing to deficiencies in ball pressure and defensive gaps. “We have to really address that,” he stated, promising to work harder in upcoming practices.

Looking Ahead

As the season kicks off, players like George are optimistic about the future. He expressed confidence in their growth and in Autry’s leadership: “We’ve got a very talented and positive team.” The players are eager to step up as they start the pursuit of achieving their season goals.

The Syracuse-Binghamton game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be featured on the ACC Network Extra.