As noted by our own Tom Goslowski on Monday, former Syracuse University men's basketball star Gerry McNamara is one win away from a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.

However, this time it would be in Green and Gold instead of Orange and Blue. McNamara, one of the most decorated players in SU history, is in his second year as the head coach at Siena University in Albany, N.Y. The Saints will play Merrimack for a MAAC championship on Tuesday night (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in Atlantic City with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line.

Siena is 22-11 on the campaign. Merrimack is the top seed.

McNamara had his No. 3 retired by Syracuse in 2023 after a stellar four-year career that saw him win a national championship in 2003 and earn three All-Big East selections. He was also a two-time All-Big East Tournament team member. 

He scored 2,099 career points and is second all-time in program history in steals.

He spent 15 years with Syracuse as an assistant coach and several fans want to see him replace Adrian Autry, who has the Orange at 15-16 entering Tuesday's ACC Tournament opener against SMU.

There's been no guarantee that Autry will be let go, but reports have indicated that SU will make a change at the conclusion of the season.

Regardless of what happens with McNamara's future, he has the support of his former teammates, including Eric Devendorf, who put out a good luck message on social media.

Let’s go @Coach_McNamara !!! Big game tonight ! We rooting for you brother! AO and Black good luck 

A four-year player in the program, Devendorf suited up from 2005-2009. He started 90 games while appearing in 116 total and averaged 14.5 ppg for his career. A member of the 2005-06 Big East All-Freshman team, he also made the Big East All-Tournament team in 2009. He shot 37.8 percent from three-point range for his career.

He played with McNamara for one season but clearly has been around him in subsequent years. Devendorf also serves as a broadcasting personality and has called several SU games this season.

The Orange and SMU will tip-off at 4:30 p.m. ET. The winner moves on to take on No. 6 Louisville in the next round on Thursday. Syracuse beat SMU earlier this season 79-78 thanks to a late bucket from guard Nate Kingz.

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