Despite the coaching change and all the roster turnover this offseason, Syracuse basketball rising sophomore Kiyan Anthony elected to return to the program to play for new head coach Gerry McNamara.

Anthony, along with Sadiq White Jr., are both returners and both are expected to play major roles for McNamara's group, which is looking to improve from a 15-17 record a season ago.

The Orange haven't been to the NCAA Tournament in five years and are looking to get there this year, and life should be easier with the tournament expanding to 76 teams from 68.

With regards to Anthony, he's expected to play a lot, but will he start? It was a question that 'Cuse Sports Talk was tackling this week, so let's break it down a little further here:

The son of Basketball Hall of Famer (and Orange legend) Carmelo Anthony, Kiyan is listed at 6-foot-5 and can play the point guard, shooting guard or small forward position, depending on the lineup on the floor.

He averaged eight points per game last season under previous head coach Adrian Autry. He had some excellent highlights and some excellent moments, but saw his minutes decrease as conference play went on.

This offseason, he is bulked up and has shown an increased ability with his outside shot. He was just 25.4 percent from three-point range last season, and only 39.9 percent from the floor.

The presumption is, that at 6-foot-5, Anthony would have the opportunity to start at either of the three positions listed above. However, Gavin Doty, Garwey Dual and Aiden Tobiason are also listed at 6-foot-5. It seems that those four players will fight for three starting spots.

Doty, who transferred in from Siena while following McNamara, may be the team's best overall player at this moment. Dual is noted as an excellent defender and Tobiason is an excellent shooter, so these are not easy decisions for McNamara to make.

Of course, Anthony is a returning player, and that loyalty could count for something as well. He also has the ability to get inside the lane, and if his outside shot improvement is real, he'll have the chance to contribute on the perimeter too.

At the end of the day, having a coach's trust in end-of-game situations is more important than starting. However, there is a certain gravitas that comes with being one of the first five, and as a returner who stayed loyal to the program, that could matter.

It would matter to me, at least.

The Orange will begin their season on Nov. 2 at home against New Haven.