Syracuse Struggles With Transfers Despite Recent Win

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse Orange secured a 74-60 victory over North Carolina State on Wednesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome, showcasing a decisive advantage early in the game. Despite their recent success on the court, the Orange’s challenges in team performance and player retention loom large as they struggle at the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Orange capitalized on mismatches at key positions, particularly center and power forward. Their strategy resembled a time-honored approach in football, reminiscent of Ohio State‘s traditional power running game under late coach Woody Hayes. This physical, inside play led to significant scoring opportunities throughout the match.

However, the triumph against NC State contrasts sharply with Syracuse’s overall struggles in the current season. Under head coach Adrian Autry, the team has encountered difficulties leveraging the transfer portal effectively. This past offseason, Syracuse lost key contributors like Maliq Brown and Quadir Copeland while bringing in new players, including Eddie Lampkin and Jaquan Carlos.

“We’re in a different position now,” Autry noted in a recent interview, highlighting the complexity of roster management. Yet, he remains focused on the present challenges rather than delving into past recruitment decisions. Autry’s response underscores the urgency for the program to address its weaknesses.

Data scientist Evan Miyakawa’s Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR) system provides insight into the performance of Syracuse players. The system evaluates contributions on both offense and defense, aiming to quantify a player’s impact in various game situations. According to Miyakawa’s analysis, few Syracuse players have excelled this season, with many performing below expectations.

The current situation is concerning for the Orange, especially as they navigate a competitive ACC landscape. Miyakawa’s rankings reveal that Syracuse has lost more talent than gained in recent transfers, creating a notable deficit in their roster’s overall skill set.

Syracuse’s current depth chart reflects these difficulties, with consecutive poor performances from players like Carlos, who has slipped in the rankings since taking on the starting point guard role.

“When you have guys like Chris [Bell] that really shoot the ball at a high level, a lot of his success and his opportunities depend on the people around him,” Autry said, noting the impact of roster changes on individual performance.

While the Orange’s roster challenges persist, the unexpected contributions from players like Lampkin provide a glimmer of hope. He currently leads ACC centers in rebounding, averaging 10.6 per game despite facing a competitive landscape.

Syracuse’s struggle to retain talent has raised questions about coaching and program direction. Autry has committed to addressing these issues, noting that roster management will be revisited after the season concludes.

As the Orange look to build momentum following their victory over North Carolina State, the imperative to improve their recruitment strategies remains clear. The focus now lies on avoiding last season’s pitfalls while reestablishing Syracuse as a competitive force within the ACC.