We knew there would be roster turnover under new head coach Gerry McNamara, and it's starting early, with a third member of the Orange headed for the portal.
We already knew that Syracuse men's basketball players Aaron Womack and Tiefang Diawara were entering the transfer portal, and they got company on Friday morning as it was reported that sophomore sharpshooter Tyler Betsey will be joining them in the portal.
Joe Tipton of 'On3' had that information on social media.
Syracuse forward Tyler Betsey plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source tells @On3. The 6-8 sophomore averaged 6.7 points per game this season. Began his career at Cincinnati. Represented by @lamfsports.
While new head coach Gerry McNamara surely doesn't want to see anyone leave his program, this will be the first portal entrant that will truly hurt the Orange.
Sure, Betsey only averaged 6.7 ppg, but he represented one of the best three-point shooting option on a team that really struggled from beyond-the-arc in 2025-26. Betsey shot 40.7 percent from three and was likely ticketed for a bigger role in 2026-27. Instead, SU will have to replace his ability and productivity.
The one thing to consider
Betsey stands 6'8, but he plays a very perimeter-centric game. For instance, he hit 68 buckets this season and 50 of them were three-pointers. He only shot 33 free-throws all season.
If there's one thing that Syracuse does have, it's wing-oriented players.
It's already been made clear that Kiyan Anthony is going to return to the program and as of now, Sadiq White Jr. is also. Both of them are wing players and Siena transfer Gavin Doty is expected to join the fold as well.
While not wing players, Nate Kingz and Naithan Goerge could be back in the fold next season as well, which further muddies the rotation for someone like Betsey. Perhaps that all weighed into his desire to transfer.
Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Betsey (5) controls the ball while Virginia Cavaliers guard Chance Mallory (2) defends during the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn ImagesOne other note
Just because a player enters the transfer portal, doesn't mean they are guaranteed to leave. It's likely, but not a certainty.
The portal opens up on Tuesday, the day after the national championship game in Indianapolis. It will remain open until April 21, though players can continue to sign after the portal has closed. They just can't enter it after April 21.
Also on campus
-The third-ranked Syracuse men's lacrosse team will head to Chapel Hill to face off against the second-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. The Orange finished the month of March undefeated and now stand at 9-2 on the season. Face-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.
-Syracuse women's lacrosse will also be on the road as they take on the 17th-ranked Duke Blue Devils. The No. 3 Orange hold a 10-3 record and are riding a 10-game winning streak. Face-off is set for 4 p.m. ET.
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