CBS College Basketball Insider and media personality Jon Rothstein made a preseason trip up to the Salt City to check in on the Syracuse basketball practice.
Head coach Adrian Autry and Co. open their second season leading Syracuse, following up on a 20-12 (11-9 ACC) first season.
The Orange have seven new players this year, including four transfers and three freshman. Here are some of Rothstein’s thoughts he shared on social media.
Projected starting five
Rothstein included a look at who he thinks will step out onto the court first this season.
Jaquan Carlos (senior) , JJ Starling (junior), Chris Bell (junior), Donnie Freeman (freshman), and Eddie Lampkin (graduate student).
In Autry’s effort to create a more mature roster, Rothstein’s prediction that Freeman will make the starting five alongside Colorado transfer Lampkin could create a unique dynamic on the court. With both Lampkin and Freeman, the Orange’s bigs would be at least 6-foot-9 or taller to start a game.
Rothstein posted on X (formerly Twitter) that having that particular power forward/center combo “should be able to match up with any opponent.”
A go-to player?
Though Syracuse basketball has gotten older and have improved their defense on paper this offseason, Rothstein points out there isn’t a stand out star on this team’s roster.
Take that in whatever context fits.
On one hand, having a roster filled with players who can all make a big play at any given moment creates some diversity on offense. On the other hand, the CBS star didn’t see a go-to guy appear during his one practice visit.
Does that mean the Orange won’t have one at all this year? No, someone could certainly emerge as the go-to guy in the team’s exhibition on Oct. 26 and beyond.
Name dropped players
Though Rothstein didn’t say these particular players were go-to’s, there were a few names he posted about that impressed him.
Carlos being one. The Hofstra transfer joined the program back in April, after spending the last two seasons playing CAA basketball. Carlos started in all but one game with Hofstra, and averaged double-digit points.
Carlos’ ability to scan the court as a point guard made him stand out at Hofstra, and made him an attractive portal candidate for Syracuse. He was the perfect example of Autry looking for a mature player that understands the game, and can adjust to the Orange’s playing style.
Plus, Rothstein said Syracuse’s coaching staff has really enjoyed working with Carlos already.
The other player mentioned: freshman Petar Majstorovic.
The Haguenau, France native played on the ASVEL Basket Lyon-Villeurbanne U-21 team in the French ProA U-21 league. Majstorovic has played basketball across multiple high-level, Parisian teams since the 2021-22 season. It’s possible Majstorovic will come off the bench for the Orange, with Lampik and Freeman handling the top starting positions. But Rothstein was impressed by the young forward’s capabilities, even if he didn’t give many details.
Syracuse hosts its first exhibition game against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ACCNetwork Extra.