I've loved the Syracuse basketball program since the 1980s, when I started to really get into collegiate hoops.
And that adoration for the Orange came before I ever set foot on the SU campus, as I attended Syracuse University from 1996 until 2000, graduating with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in philosophy.
Like many of its peers around the country, the 'Cuse has had its share of ups and downs over the years and decades. But still, under former head coach Jim Boeheim, the legendary Hall of Famer, Syracuse basketball years ago was often winning at least 20 regular-season games, picking up wins in the Big East Conference Tournament, landing solid seeds in the Big Dance and going on deep runs in the annual NCAA Tournament.
Heck, even not too long ago, from 2009 until 2014, the Orange under Boeheim had one of its best stretches in program history, winning 27 contests or more every term, and advancing to a Final Four, an Elite Eight, and two Sweet 16s.
Yet the team's move to the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2013-14 season, sadly, marked the ongoing downward trajectory of Syracuse basketball. I'm in no way suggesting that the Orange can't get back to ACC and national relevancy, and I love my alma mater like it's nobody's business, but at the same time, I'm disheartened with where the 'Cuse currently resides.
Syracuse basketball, these days, is not relevant in the ACC or nationally, which saddens me.
The Orange's first stanza in the ACC was good, but not great. It raced out to a 25-0 start but faltered down the stretch, finishing at 28-6 overall after a heart-breaking second-round NCAA Tournament setback to Dayton.
Since that campaign, the 'Cuse hasn't won more than 11 games in ACC competition, and that - ironically - occurred in 2023-24, the first season with Adrian Autry at the helm of the program after Boeheim retired.
Sure, the Orange went to the Final Four in 2016, along with Sweet 16 runs in 2018 and 2021. But all of those magical March journeys came as double-digit seeds. In fact, Syracuse basketball hasn't received a seed higher than No. 8 in the NCAA Tournament in more than 10 years.
Even though Autry guided the 'Cuse to a 20-12 overall mark in 2023-24, the first time that the Orange claimed 20 regular-season triumphs in a decade, Syracuse basketball hasn't heard its name called on Selection Sunday in three seasons.
After Florida State handled the 'Cuse on Saturday night in Tallahassee, the Orange resides at 6-8 overall and 0-3 in ACC encounters. In Boeheim's 47 terms as head coach, he had one losing stanza, when Syracuse basketball finished at 16-17 in 2021-22.
There is still a lot of basketball left to be played in the 2024-25 regular season, although even with junior guard J.J. Starling returning to the starting line-up after missing seven games due to a left-hand injury, a contingent of 'Cuse fans believe that Syracuse basketball is headed for an under .500 finish in the current campaign. I understand that sentiment.
So, yes, it's entirely possible that the Orange could have a losing record in 2024-25 and miss the Big Dance for the fourth consecutive term. For a program that is in the top 10 on the all-time wins list in the history of college basketball, the state of Syracuse basketball these days is frustrating.
Some fans want Autry to be let go. Some fans want to see one or more 'Cuse assistant coaches to be fired. I'm in the camp that Autry deserves more than one-and-a-half seasons. It takes time to build a program, especially given today's landscape of conference realignment, the transfer portal's explosion, NIL, future revenue-sharing, etc.
Here’s the January coaching carousel breakdown: pic.twitter.com/Y2s8yWAN1Q
— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan2) January 1, 2025
That being said, I'm disheartened by what I deem to be Syracuse basketball regressing under year two of the Autry era. Certainly, losing Starling for seven affairs didn't help things, and we'll have to see how the rest of the 2024-25 season plays out.
But to me, this current roster just lacks chemistry. It lacks identity. Yeah, the defense isn't good, and by and large, nor is the 3-point shooting. From my perspective, though, the Orange 2024-25 players don't appear to gel as a cohesive unit on either end of the floor.
Fans have a right to be frustrated, although when I see some fans say this is the worst team in Syracuse basketball history, I say, bump the brakes. How can we make that determination when the regular season isn't even half over?
Look, the move to the ACC changed the dynamics for the Orange. The sanctions of years past hurt recruiting. Mike Hopkins leaving for Washington, and the uncertainty over when Boeheim would hang up his whistle, had to have impacted recruiting, too, in my humble opinion.
Then, when you factor in the transfer portal, injuries, guys leaving early for the pro ranks, and now NIL, it's a lot for Autry to maneuver. I'm not making excuses for him. Where the 'Cuse resides at this juncture in 2024-25 is unacceptable, and I guarantee you that Autry would agree.
As a lifelong Syracuse basketball fan who has bled Orange for decades, I'm sad about where we are. Hopefully, things will turn around. I'll do my best to remain optimistic in that regard, especially since Syracuse basketball has a 2025 recruiting class that ranks in the top 10 nationwide.