In recent seasons, Syracuse basketball's defense has left a lot to be desired. The Orange, which hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2021, has mightily struggled on that end of the floor, and that's been a big reason why SU has endured two straight losing campaigns.
First-year head coach and former 'Cuse standout point guard Gerry McNamara plans to reverse that recent trend. McNamara and his staff have recruited a 2026-27 roster that is filled with depth, positional versatility and length.
McNamara, among other things, is stressing discipline, energy, full effort, grit, toughness and a "we-first" mentality to his players. And defense, lots and lots of defense.
Over the past two seasons, McNamara led Siena. The Saints made this past spring's NCAA Tournament, and they nearly stunned top-seeded Duke in the first round. For all of the 2025-26 campaign, Siena allowed just 65.8 points per game, which was No. 15 around the country.
The Orange, meanwhile, gave up 74.2 points per contest. That was No. 188 nationally. At SU's local media day on Friday, 'Cuse players spoke to what McNamara is preaching on defense.
"I think the biggest thing is being disciplined. I think a reason why they (Siena) were top 15 in the country in defense last year is because they were disciplined. They wouldn’t gamble. I think that’s what you’re going to see," said junior guard Aiden Tobiason. "You want to see, especially on defense, being disciplined, staying in gaps, not trying to go for steals, but being that pest in the offense’s face, you know, because I feel like the best offense is defense."
Syracuse basketball first-year head coach Gerry McNamara is keen on improving the team's defense.
Earlier this week at the ACC Tipoff event in Charlotte, N.C., McNamara discussed how he plans to get the Orange back to "national relevance." He knows turning the 'Cuse around won't be easy, saying in part, "There is a demand given how hard winning is, and there is a price that has to be paid. If you're not willing to pay it, you're not going to get the result that you're looking for."
On Friday at SU's local media day, sophomore forward Sadiq White Jr. said the entire roster gets along well, everyone is excited to play for Syracuse, and all that matters is winning. He added, "Everyone comes in here just ready to compete. Every day you just continuously build on that. You love your guys. You love them for coming out here, going to war with you and against you every day. So that bond just builds and builds over time."
Junior guard Gavin Doty, who hails from nearby Fulton, N.Y., transferred from Siena to the Orange after McNamara took the SU head coaching job in the spring. He noted the "personal sacrifice" that 'Cuse players are making for one another.
"Maybe not every guy is going to get the exact minutes they want, but it’s about mastering your role and continuing to believe in your brothers. Just focusing on the good and having a goldfish memory of the bad stuff," Doty said.
It remains to be seen how McNamara and his roster will fare in 2026-27. But if I were a betting man, I'd bet that the Orange's defense will be vastly better in the upcoming campaign.
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