Syracuse, N.Y. —Syracuse basketball concluded the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 77-48 win over Stonehill on Monday night, improving to 9-4.
Are the Orange ready for the rigor of ACC conference play, which begins after a Christmas break on New Year’s Eve against Clemson at the JMA Dome?
In the spirit of Christmas, here’s what is on Santa’s naughty and nice list for Syracuse basketball as it gets ready to step into league play.
Nice List 
Syracuse Orange forward William Kyle III (42), right, blocks Stonehill Skyhawks guard Trenton Ruth (2), Syracuse Orange guard Naithan George (11) at left, at the JMA Wireless Dome Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Syracuse, N.Y.
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
-William Kyle III has been a bonafide paint presence so far, entering Monday’s game ranked second in the country with 3.3 blocks per game.
-Naithan George is coming off back-to-back 22-point games. SU has a point guard who led the ACC in assists per game last season and knows what it takes to survive the ups and downs of league play.
-Donnie Freeman’s nine-game absence due to a lower-body will reportedly conclude in time to return for Clemson.
Syracuse Orange forward Donnie Freeman (1) warms up to take on the Mercyhurst Lakers at the JMA Wireless Dome Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Syracuse, NY.
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
SU could certainly use its leading scorer (17.8 ppg) back along with a consistent rebounder, 77.8% free throw shooter and dynamic talent that will shift priorities from opposing defenses and open up opportunities for teammates.
-JJ Starling, SU’s latest 1,000-point scorer, is healthy and coming into his own as a team leader. Starling doesn’t have to be the do-all talent for SU but can still drop 20 in the boxscore at will as he did against Stonehill.
-Plenty of Quad 1 and NCAA Tournament resume builders await in ACC play for the Orange. The league currently has 11 of the top 68 teams in the NCAA NET rankings.
Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Betsey (5) shoots a free-throw against the Northeastern Huskies at the JMA Wireless Dome Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Syracuse, N.Y.
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com Naughty List
-Syracuse has ranked near the bottom of college basketball in free throw shooting all season.
Entering ACC play shooting 59% (dead last in the ACC and 360th nationally) from the charity stripe is not a reassuring stat for the inevitable close games to come in league play.
It has already cost Syracuse two victories against Houston and Hofstra. SU can’t afford to add more opponents to that list because it can’t cash in free points.
-SU’s inconsistent 3-point shooting is just as concerning as its inept free throw percentage.
The Orange are shooting .308 from distance, a mark that ranked 318th nationally entering Monday’s game and puts it at the bottom of the ACC.
–SU’s loss to Hofstra cancels out a potential Quad 1 victory over Tennessee. It was simply an inexcusable loss at home for the Orange.
-Adrian Autry’s coaching style still leaves a lot to be desired. SU fans are still trying to grasp terms like “Level 5,″ “dips” and whatever the “Orange Standard” is.
His contention that “nothing is wrong with the offense” after SU’s win over Merchyhurst was puzzling and far-fetched and his hockey line substitution patterns are hard to process.
Do SU fans really trust he can outwit the best the ACC has to offer?
We’ll find out starting on New Year’s Eve.
You can check out the entire Syracuse basketball postgame show in the YouTube clip above.