Syracuse finally got things together so fans didn’t have to sweat the final minutes. Let’s get to takeaways from the 77-49 win over Stonehill.
The “Level Five” Defensive Intensity is There
Nearly every press conference with Coach Autry seems to begin with the same question: Did the team sustain its “Level Five” energy and intensity throughout the game?
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Against Tennessee, both players and coaches agreed that the standard was met. Replicating it against other non-conference opponents, however, has been a challenge.
Monday night offered a clear glimpse of what this team is capable of on the defensive end when it commits to that level of effort for a full forty minutes.
Stonehill entered the matchup with a NET ranking similar to Mercyhurst’s, but the defensive attention to detail against the Skyhawks was unmistakable. That focus held Stonehill to just 26 percent shooting from the field and resulted in 12 blocked shots.
William Kyle is among the ACC’s elite defenders, and when he is on the floor, scoring, especially in the paint, SHOULD be a difficult task for any opponent.
The challenge now lies with the supporting cast: matching Kyle’s presence by bringing that same energy, intensity, and discipline to every possession, as they did against Stonehill.
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Naithan George is the X Factor
Looking back at non-conference play, one name consistently stands out, a player whose performances seem to mirror the team’s results. When the team wins, he plays well. When it loses, he struggles.
That player is Naithan George.
George had a difficult showing in Vegas, and the same was true against Hofstra. The past two games, however, have told a very different story.
After the Mercyhurst game, Coach Autry noted that George was never expected to be a 20-points-per-game scorer.
But maybe that’s exactly what this team needs.
Back-to-back 22-point performances have fueled the offense, and the difference is clear when the ball is in George’s hands. He is an excellent facilitator and, by far, the team’s most reliable free-throw shooter.
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For this offense to operate at its highest level, it needs to run through George more often, and he needs to continue playing with the confidence of a primary option.
If George can maintain this offensive confidence, it could prove invaluable as the team heads into ACC play.
Donnie Freeman is Back
All indications suggest this was the final game Donnie Freeman will miss as he works his way back from his lower-body injury.
There’s no question Syracuse has felt the absence of its leading scorer over the past month, and his return should provide an immediate boost to the offense.
That said, the level of competition is about to rise significantly as conference play approaches.
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Regardless of how Freeman eases back into the lineup, his presence alone is a major addition, and one this team desperately needs as it moves forward.
Syracuse will take a brief pause over the Christmas holiday, but when the team reconvenes, it should do so with a fully healthy roster and a renewed sense of urgency.
By the time Clemson arrives on New Year’s Eve, there will be no margin for sluggish starts or off halves. Syracuse will need Freeman ready to contribute and make an impact if this team hopes to make noise in ACC play.
What are your takeaways from this Stonehill game and from the non-conference slate overall?
