Gerry McNamara era opens at Syracuse, with Orange seeking to snap 5-year NCAA Tournament drought

It is the beginning of “The McNamEra” at Syracuse, where Orange legend Gerry McNamara faces the tall order of restoring respect at his alma mater's basketball team. The once-proud program is in the midst of a five-year NCAA Tournament drought, the school’s longest since 1967-72. With only two returnees, Orange Nation is hoping “G-Mac” — a member of Syracuse's 2003 national championship team — can work his magic much as he did coaching at Siena the past two seasons . It will be a challenge in the aftermath of Jim Boheim's retirement followed by three mediocre years under Adrian Autry (49-48) .

McNamara will look for sophomore forward Sadiq White, a former top-15 rated recruit, to take a major step after averaging 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in a handful of starts last season. … Kiyan Anthony — son of Syracuse star and McNamara's teammate Carmelo Anthony — has the pedigree but needs to build on an inconsistent freshman season during which he averaged 8.0 points a game, shot 39% from the floor and hit 25% in 3-point attempts while mostly coming off the bench.

Forward Donnie Freeman (team-leading 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds a game) transferred to St. John’s and point guard and assist leader Naithan George is now at Pitt. … Nate Kingz, who shot 37% from 3, signed to play professionally in Israel, defensive stalwart William Kyle III is trying to hook on in the NBA and JJ Starling is seeking a fifth year of eligibility. … Projected starters include senior point guard Garwey Dual, a McNeese State transfer, (8.4 points, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals), and junior guard Gavin Doty, a Siena transfer who averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 rebounds. … G Aiden Tobiason, a portal pickup from Temple (15.3 points and 3.7 rebounds), is new and so is 6-9 center Luke Wilson (Appalachian State transfer), the top shot blocker in the Sun Belt last year. … Slovenian Mark Morano could develop into Syracuse’s best offensive player.

Syracuse opens on Nov. 2 against New Haven. Notable non-conference games are against Indiana at Indianapolis on Nov. 9, St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15, at Oklahoma on Dec. 1 in the ACC-SEC Challenge, Providence on Dec. 19 at TD Garden in Boston and Rutgers on Feb. 6 at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. The Orange home schedule in January features matchups against Duke, Louisville and North Carolina.

The Orange went 29-36 the last two seasons, 13-25 in ACC play, and finished 14th in the conference in back-to-back seasons. … Autry is now an assistant at Virginia. … Dual dislocated his collarbone during summer practice but is expected to be ready for the season opener. … Syracuse hit 33% of its 3-points attempts and shot 65% from the foul line last year. ___

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