The Orange may not be in the tournament, but these former SU players are.
After going 15-17 this season, the Syracuse men's basketball team was not selected for the NCAA Tournament. That makes five straight years without an NCAA berth for the Orange and eight years since Syracuse fans last saw their team in tournament action.
The 2021 Syracuse team made the Sweet 16, but fans were not allowed because of COVID restrictions. The 2020 tournament was canceled because of COVID.
The last time fans were in attendance as SU participated in March Madness? The 2019 tournament when they lost to Baylor 78-69.
So, without an easy rooting interest, here's a look at some former players who suited up for the Orange that fans can latch on to.
Gerry McNamara
Although not a current player taking the court, former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara (2003-2006) will coach the Siena Saints in the school's match up against top-seeded Duke. The 16th-seeded Siena squad appears in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010.
McNamara won a national title at Syracuse (2003) and has his No. 3 hanging in the rafters (2023).
Maliq Brown
The previously mentioned Blue Devils will match up against Siena on Thursday at 2:50 p.m ET in the Round of 64. The three-star prospect from Culpepper, Va. signed with the Orange in 2022.
The 6'9' forward played two seasons with the Orange before leaving. In his freshman campaign, he played in 29 games, starting seven. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. His sophomore season saw statistical improvements as he played in 32 games, starting 18. He posted 9.5 points per game and 7.2 rebounds.
Since arriving in Durham two seasons ago, Brown has played in a combined 60 games. Last year's Blue Devils reached the Final Four before falling to Houston.
Brown was named the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year this season. He also earned Defensive Player of the Year honors while garnering his 2nd All-ACC First Team Defensive selection.
Quadir Copeland
Copeland will look to help the North Carolina State Wolfpack in their "First Four" game against the Texas Longhorns on Tuesday night. If NC State is able to win, they will take on 6th-seeded BYU in the Round of 64.
Copeland averaged 13.9 points, 6.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds in his lone season under Will Wade in Raleigh this season. Copeland was selected as a third-team All-ACC selection.
Before his time with NC State? Copeland spent 2024-25 with his same head coach, Will Wade, at McNeese State. The Cowboys secured an upset win as a No. 12 over Clemson in the NCAA Tournament.
During his two seasons with Syracuse, Copeland appeared in 52 games, averaging less than 15 minutes per game. He scored less than six points per game as well.
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