Next Tuesday, the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team will open its exhibition slate on the road at Mohegan Sun Arena against the UConn Huskies (7 p.m. ET).
But before that, Syracuse held its first media session with the entire roster and coaching staff for the upcoming 2026-27 season. That happened on Friday at the Carmelo Anthony Center. We were there with live coverage, and here’s what you need to know:
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After a historic career at Syracuse as player that included a national championship (2003-04), a BIG East championship and multiple NCAA tournament appearances, Gerry McNamara has returned to lead the Orange as head coach.
From 2009-24, McNamara served as a part of the program’s coaching staff before taking the head coaching job at Siena the past two seasons. McNamara’s hiring is just the third head coaching hire by Syracuse basketball in more than 50 years. The first-year head coach noted during his press conference that he has not had to time reflect on being the Syracuse men’s basketball head coach, saying his focus has been on building the program.
During the same session, McNamara noted the team will play zone defense but “not all the time”. The 2-3 zone defense was a staple of former head coach Jim Boeheim’s tenure leading the Orange.
Syracuse Orange head coach Gerry McNamara answers questions from the media during the ACC Tip-Off in Charlotte, NC. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
McNamara is not the only familiar face returning to Central New York. this season Gavin Doty returns to Central New York after two seasons at Siena. Doty is a native of Fulton, just 30 minutes from the JMA Wireless Dome. Three former Orange players, Tyus Battle, Ryan Blackwell and Arinze Onuaku all return to the Syracuse basketball program, this time as members of the team’s staff.
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While McNamara is undoubtedly building that new chapter for the program, he certainly is turning to people he trusts to help him get it there.
McNamara said during the media session that the team has worked hard in the strength and conditioning department over the past few months. Two players in particular (Kiyan Anthony and Abdramane Siby) have added double-digits to their listed weight from last season. Transfer Luke Wilson has also added a significant muscle to his frame, checking at 6-foot-10 and 255 pounds.
The hope is that physical body transformation will help with the more aggressive style of play seen especially during ACC play. For Anthony in particular, he may be able to absorb contact better going to the hoop, and he may be able to handle himself better defensively as well.
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The Orange’s preseason schedule includes the first exhibition game against UConn on Tuesday. Our own Brady Farkas will be in Connecticut for the coverage of the contest next week. After the preseason contest with the Huskies, the Orange will take on the Siena Saints in the Loudonville, N.Y. on Oct.18.
The final exhibition game will be held in Buffalo when Syracuse travels to take on Niagara on Oct. 24,
The 2026-27 regular season officially tips of on Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET when the Orange host New Haven.
