Syracuse men’s basketball: will new eligiblity rules help McNamara’s roster plan?

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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - JUNE 9: Syracuse Orange head coach Gerry McNamara, right, and Kiyan Anthony #7 during a basketball practice at the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center on June 9, 2026 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Todd F. Michalek/Syracuse Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

As Gerry McNamara has discussed during interviews regarding his 26-27 Syracuse basketball roster, he’s mentioned the possibility of having a roster for more than one year.

“Every guy on this roster has multiple years. Even Garwey [Dual] where you have the five-and-five,” McNamara said. “If that comes into effect, he’d have another year. So there’s a lot of players, if you hit right and you coach them the right way and they enjoy playing for you, the retention is key. That’s why we won in year two at Siena.”

Now that the five-year eligibility rule has officially passed, it offers a bit more clarity into some of the decisions made with the current roster. It would be naive to expect that just because players have more than the upcoming season, that they will all remain, but let’s dig in a bit.

Aidan Tobiason went through the NBA G League combine process this summer. He’s young for his class and has the wingspan that will get him noticed. If he can show progress with playmaking and on the defensive end, it seems likely he’ll make the leap to the pros in 2027.

After Tobiason, none of the other Orange are strongly on NBA Draft radars at this point. Abdramane Siby is raw, but agile 7 footers are coveted at the next level and Sadiq White’s athleticism and defense is going to be scouted extensively. Certainly a lot can happen over the next few months, but there is a risk/reward scenario over this kind of build.

The reward is that you can set a foundation to build upon in year two. You have your culture established and players understand their roles and how to best work together. It’s a way you can overcome a talent gap with experience and cohesion.

We’ve seen what happens when rosters turn over year after year. Players don’t quite fit and the communication appears lacking. You get disjointed offense, breakdowns on defense and fans who don’t really buy in to the entire program.

The risk is that there is no guarantee that you keep the roster intact (or mostly intact) after a year. Player loyalty won’t stop bigger offers, or professional dreams. Balancing minutes never appeases everyone and you’re going to have to recruit your current roster no matter what.

It doesn’t mean it’s the wrong approach, but if this year is going to be a transition year, will the fans and donor share the patience? Syracuse is in a very interesting point in the program’s history and it would be naive to think that people will be willing to suffer another 15-18 win season that ends with March going out like a lamb.

Now if McNamara can get this group to a NCAA First Round game, or at least deep into the ACC Tournament, you can build more hope, but this first season is still going to be pivotal for the future.

What do you think? Would you be willing to have some patience in 26-27 with the promise of 27-28 or do you feel like the pressure is on to win now because next year isn’t promised?

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