Three changes that Adrian Autry should consider to Syracuse basketball's rotation

On the heels of three straight ACC wins, things are finally moving in the right direction for the Syracuse Orange basketball team. One could say that Adrian Autry is finally starting to piece things together with the team’s NCAA Tournament hopes still hanging in the balance.

Of course, those three wins have come against teams that are a combined 2-11 in conference play. It’s not as if those three wins were particularly easy for the Orange, so there is still room for improvement. Plus, Donnie Freeman’s recent return led to a significant change to the lineup and rotation. With Autry still tinkering with is rotation, here are three ideas worth considering.

Fewer Hockey Changes

Granted, Syracuse doesn’t have quite enough depth for a true hockey change. Unless Autry wants to give more playing time to either Luke Fennell or Bryce Zephir, Syracuse won’t be changing out all five players at the same time. However, it’s become common for Autry to make three or four substitutions at once, often early in games.

While he has enough depth to do that, this isn’t the most sensible approach. All this does is put the backups with the other backups, ensuring most of the team’s less experienced players are on the floor together. It might be better to gradually introduce freshmen Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White, as well as sophomore Tyler Betsey, into the game. Rather than getting most of their minutes together because they’re subbing on at the same time, those players can get more of their minutes alongside Syracuse’s core of veterans.

Play Nate Kingz and Tyler Betsey Together

Betsey has emerged as Syracuse’s best three-point threat. While he’s had a few games with minimal production, Betsey scored nine points against Pitt and 18 points during the win over Florida State. Surely, he’s carved out an important role and will continue to play meaningful minutes moving forward, especially since lead guards Naithan George and J.J. Starling aren’t always reliable outside shooters.

Of course, before the season, it was assumed that Nate Kingz would be the Orange’s top perimeter threat after shooting 44.6% from three-point range at Oregon State last season. Outside of a few games, Kingz has struggled to find his stroke from the outside. In ACC play, he’s made just five of his 18 three-pointers (27.8%).

One way to help Kingz is to play him and Betsey together, something that Autry has rarely done this season. Teams still look at Kingz as the best three-point shooter on the floor, but they couldn’t do that if Betsey were on the floor with him. With less pressure and less attention on him, Kingz could start to shoot a better percentage and make the type of impact Syracuse expected from him before the season.

A lineup with both Kingz and Betsey would also allow the Orange to spread out defenses more than they have this season. By playing two reliable shooters on opposite wings, teams would be less able to double Freeman in the post. It would also open up more space in the lane for George and Starling. A lineup with Kingz and Betsey wouldn’t have to become Syracuse’s primary lineup, but it’s one option that Autry has not utilized enough this season.

Utilize the Team’s Size

With George, Starling, Kingz, and Anthony, three-guard lineups have been the norm for Syracuse this season, and for good reason. During Freeman’s nine-game absence, the Orange was also a little short on size, forcing Autry to use smaller lineups. However, with Freeman back, there is more frontcourt depth and more opportunities for Autry to go with a bigger lineup.

In fairness, Autry has started to experiment with some bigger lineups. Betsey’s shooting has forced Autry to play him as a small forward alongside Freeman and William Kyle. It might also be worth giving a frontcourt of Freeman, Kyle, and White an extended run. Such a lineup would help White’s development, as his minutes have understandably dropped since Freeman returned from injury.

A lineup that includes Freeman, Kyle, and White could allow the Orange to overwhelm teams athletically at both ends of the court. It’d be harder to find a frontcourt trio elsewhere in the ACC that can match up to the size and athleticism of those three. Again, such a lineup isn’t likely to become Syracuse’s best lineup, but it would have its advantages. Ultimately, the Orange will need every edge it can get, which is why Autry should still be looking at tweaks to his rotation that can bring the best out of Syracuse.