Encouraging signs in Syracuse basketball opener; defense, energy - they 'gassed out'

It's one only game, and Binghamton isn't Houston or Kansas or Tennessee or Duke or Louisville, but Syracuse basketball showed a lot of encouraging stuff in its emphatic season-opening win on Monday night at the JMA Wireless Dome before an announced crowd of nearly 20,000.

After a lethargic two-game exhibition docket and coming off a 14-19 mark last season, the Orange crushing the Bearcats by nearly 40 points was a great start to the program's 2025-26 season, as the 'Cuse eyes a return to the NCAA Tournament following a four-year absence.

For a Syracuse basketball squad that wasn't often proficient at putting opponents away in 2024-25, or in other recent terms, the Orange didn't take its collective foot off the gas, outscoring Binghamton by 18 points in the first half and 20 points in the second half to cruise over the Bearcats out of America East Conference, 85-47. Syracuse basketball moved to 6-0 against this fellow Empire State team.

In his post-game press conference, head coach Adrian Autry said it was fun to watch his guys compete like that - defending at a high level, playing with energy for the entire 40 minutes and sharing the ball. "I was really excited for this group," Autry said. Everyone on the team "gassed out."

Syracuse basketball performed well in its 2025-26 season opener.

The question on everyone's mind: How is senior shooting guard J.J. Starling? The Central New York native only played three minutes before leaving the non-conference game with a lower-leg injury. Autry said he didn't think the injury was anything too serious. "I'm sure he will be fine," Autry said.

That Starling, a preseason All-ACC second-team selection, barely played and the Orange still convincingly won is a huge positive and illustrates the team's depth, Autry said, adding that anyone who comes on the court for the 'Cuse "can contribute. ... That's what this team can do."

Syracuse basketball was known for its slow beginnings to games in 2024-25. On Monday evening, the Orange raced out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back. For the 'Cuse to hear its name called on Selection Sunday, it will have to spring some upsets, yes, but it also has to blow out lower-tier foes to improve its metrics, such as its NCAA NET ranking.

With Starling sidelined, freshman guard Kiyan Anthony started the second half. He was terrific, logging 28 minutes and scoring 15 points on 6-of-10 from the field. Sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman paced Syracuse basketball, finishing with 20 points and six rebounds.

Senior center William Kyle lll, a transfer from UCLA, tallied 16 points on 8-of-9 from the field. That dude is ultra-athletic and highly skilled above the rim. Junior point guard Naithan George, a transfer from Georgia Tech, stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 14 points, four boards, eight assists, just one turnover and five steals. Impressive.

Sophomore forward Tyler Betsey, a transfer from Cincinnati, struggled with his shot but still added 10 points. Two downfalls for Syracuse basketball in 2024-25 were its defense and its turnovers. Both were excellent in the 2025-26 season opener.

The Orange held Binghamton to 14 points in the first half and 47 points for the entire game. The Bearcats made just 33.3 percent from the field. Binghamton had a whopping 22 turnovers, as compared to just five for the 'Cuse. Syracuse basketball led 24-4 in points off turnovers. That's encouraging.

Whether the Orange will be a strong shooting team remains to be seen. In the season opener, the 'Cuse made only 19 percent from downtown and 68.8 percent from the free-throw line. Still, as a whole, Syracuse basketball connected on 53.0 percent from the field.

This suggests, to me, that the team will be at its best driving to the rim, scoring in the paint or the mid-range, and getting easy buckets out in transition after forced turnovers or defensive boards.

Next up, the Orange will host Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member Delaware State at the Dome this Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at 1 pm EST.