Syracuse Basketball: What insider Jon Rothstein is saying about the Orange in 2024-25

College hoops insider Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports recently traveled to Central New York to check out a Syracuse basketball practice, and he had some interesting tidbits to share about the Orange via his X page.

The 'Cuse officially kicks off its 2024-25 season, in Adrian Autry's second term as the Orange's head coach, in fewer than two weeks, when Syracuse basketball will host nearby Le Moyne on Monday, Nov. 4, inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Orange, with its vastly revamped roster, seeks a return to the NCAA Tournament following a three-year absence from the annual Big Dance. Ahead of 2024-25, national and Atlantic Coast Conference pundits aren't super high on the 'Cuse as it relates to the ACC's pecking order, but that's why the games are played on the court.

In any event, Rothstein made a handful of observations from his recent trip to the Hill that I wanted to pass along. For reference's sake, when he published his ACC off-season report, Rothstein projected Syracuse basketball to finish at No. 9 in the league standings.

Here's what insider Jon Rothstein is saying about Syracuse basketball ahead of the upcoming season.

Orange fans, myself included, are eager to find out what Autry's starting line-up and rotations will consist of at the onset of 2024-25. To that end, Rothstein is projecting the team's starting five to encompass senior guard Jaquan Carlos, a transfer from Hofstra; junior guard J.J. Starling; junior small forward Chris Bell; freshman power forward Donnie Freeman; and graduate student center Eddie Lampkin Jr., a transfer from Colorado.

Candidly, that's the same starting line-up that I believe Autry will employ in 2024-25, at least to start this upcoming campaign.

Rothstein had this to say about the 6-foot, 180-pound Carlos, who was one of the top floor generals around the country a term ago in dishing out 6.3 assists per game. "Palpable Buzz in the 315 regarding Hofstra transfer Jaquan Carlos. Going to give Syracuse a true 'table setter' at PG. The staff already loves him."

I totally agree with Jon. I think that Carlos will prove a steady force at point guard for the Orange in 2024-25. He's a true pass-first point guard, with stellar court vision and a high basketball IQ.

To me, the program's likely starting front-court of the 6-foot-7, 192-pound Bell, the 6-foot-9, 205-pound Freeman and the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Lampkin could prove imposing to opponents. Bell should, similar to last season, be one of the top 3-point shooters in the ACC and perhaps nationally.

Freeman, yes, is new to the collegiate level, but he played against elite competition at the prep level for multiple years and arrived on the Hill as a consensus five-star prospect in the 2024 class, a cycle in which he was ranked as high as No. 6 overall.

Lampkin is a physical player who can be effective in the paint while also stretching the floor by shooting at a proficient rate from the perimeter. He's also got valuable NCAA Tournament experience under his belt.

Rothstein said: "Like the makeup of Syracuse's PF/C combo with Donnie Freeman and Colorado transfer Eddie Lampkin. Should be able to match up with any opponent. Lampkin should get better shots for the perimeter, which should shoot a higher percentage."

In mid-August, Syracuse basketball coaches secured a commitment from versatile big man Petar Majstorovic, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound player who was born in Serbia and hails from Haguenau, France.

Rothstein characterized Majstorovic as an under-the-radar newbie within the ACC. "Syracuse's Petar Majstorovic. 6-8 F looks primed to be in the Orange rotation. Remember The Name," Rothstein said.

Another point made by Rothstein is a valid one. He wrote: "Syracuse has a plethora of pretty good players --- not sure though if there's a great one. Will this team identify a go-to guy? The million dollar question in the 315."

I concur with Rothstein's assessment. The Orange's 2024-25 roster, composed of 12 scholarship players, includes five returnees from 2023-24, three incoming freshmen and four college transfers.

In crunch time of upcoming games, who will Autry and his top-flight staff rely on to make a key play or score a pivotal bucket? Starling? Bell? Carlos? Freeman? Lampkin? Someone off the bench, where Syracuse basketball does possess numerous promising reserves?

Only time will tell. I can't wait for this season to get underway for the 'Cuse.