For the first time in a long time, the Syracuse basketball backcourt is full of playmakers. JJ Starling, Jaquan Carlos, Elijah Moore and Lucas Taylor all bring a lot of different skill sets to the mix. Not to be lost in the equation is redshirt junior Kyle Cuffe Jr.
The 6-foot-2, 188-pound Cuffe came over to the Orange ahead of the 2023-24 campaign as a former four-star recruit who faced injuries at Kansas. He decided to move on to a different basketball powerhouse, joining Syracuse for his sophomore season.
Level up 🍊📈@kylecuffejr pic.twitter.com/RzIVComT4u
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) October 8, 2024
Cuffe saw about 11 minutes per game as a sophomore, averaging 3.2 points per game, 1.0 rebounds per game, and shooting 34% from three-point range. He served as a steady option in relief for Judah Mintz and Starling, helping control the pace on the floor.
With a deeper rotation for the 2024-25 season, there is thought that Cuffe may lose out on his role. But given his experience playing under head coach Red Autry, he could also be a vital option off the bench. Whatever the thoughts on his role are, Cuffe certainly has the chance to be a crucial player for an Orange team that has a lot of ball handlers.
Here are three keys for guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. to play pivotal minutes for Syracuse basketball this season.
1. No turnovers? Not a problem
One thing about Kyle Cuffe? He won't cause you to lose your mind when he handles the ball. Sure, it was a small sample size, but 0.6 turnovers in 10.8 minutes per game is a pretty solid ratio.
To put those numbers into perspective, Mintz, who did a lot of ball handling for the Orange last season, averaged 2.9 turnovers in roughly 34 minutes per game. At Cuffe's pace, he would have only averaged about 2.0 turnovers in 34 minutes of action, about one fewer per game.
Of course, a lot goes into those numbers. Mintz also brought a lot of good with his (over) dribbling and at times was asked to take over in that department. Cuffe wasn't asked to be Judah Mintz, but was asked to be Kyle Cuffe - a steady option off the bench to make sure things didn't explode without Mintz (or Starling) on the floor.
To look at the other side of the equation, it would be important for Cuffe's growth to be more aggressive on the offensive end. That could create a few more turnovers. But from what we saw of him last season, turnovers don't seem to be a part of his game, and it'd be important to see that continue.
2. Don't shy away from open threes
Without Mintz, I also expect to see a much more fluid offense. There will be more shots to go around on this year's Syracuse basketball team and players shouldn't shy away from good looks. In Cuffe's case, that should mean an increase in three-point attempts.
Again, we're basing it off a small number of looks, but Cuffe nailed 16-of-47 attempts in his sophomore year. While not an eye-popping number, coming off the bench without much time to warm up and hitting 34% of your treys is a good quality to have. With more playing time and shot attempts, Cuffe should feel even more comfortable, and it could lead to more makes and at an even better percentage.
We also need to look at how Cuffe's numbers were very consistent. In the non-conference (and an early game against Virginia), he was 10-of-27 from downtown. In the bulk of ACC play, Cuffe saw fewer looks, but was 6-for-20 from deep. That's not a major difference in production, even with a slight decrease in minutes in conference play.
I'm not projecting Cuffe to be a sniper or a player who doubles or triples his number of shots taken. But when Syracuse basketball recruited him, his three-point shot was supposedly a strong part of his game. We saw that on display in minimal amounts last season, and it'll be intriguing to see more of it in 2024-25.
3. Force Red Autry to play you
The biggest thing for Kyle Cuffe in 2024-25? FORCE Adrian Autry to put you on the court.
Last season, there were times when Syracuse didn't need Cuffe to play many meaningful minutes. If Starling and Mintz were holding down the fort, Autry could play them both 35+ minutes per game. With Quadir Copeland also capable of running point guard, Cuffe was in jeopardy of sliding further down the bench.
This season, Starling and Jaquan Carlos are expected to start in the backcourt. Georgia State transfer Lucas Taylor could see a lot of minutes at shooting guard and freshman Elijah Moore has expectations of being one of the best three-point shooters on the team. Redshirt sophomore Chance Westry is another wing player who could see minutes.
Cuffe's role is simple - he can give backup minutes at point guard and can knock down shots when open. But with so much talent in the backcourt, Cuffe will need to do more than simply making sure things go smoothly. If he wants to be a critical part of this squad, he may need to take some chances - and hope that it pays off.
Sure, he'll have a role on this team and it wouldn't be in his best interest to overstep any boundaries set by Autry. But when there are chances for Cuffe to show what he can do on offense or defense, and he can positively impact the team, he needs to make the most of the opportunities.
In 2024-25, this could be the season Kyle Cuffe puts it all together. But it's all on him to make the most of it.