The Syracuse University men's basketball team is coming off a 15-17 season and hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament in five years.

As a result, there's pressure on new head coach Gerry McNamara to turn things around - and quickly. With an expanded NCAA Tournament field and McNamara's history of turning things around at Siena, fans won't be overly patient as he looks to develop the program again. 

There's undoubtedly a lot on his plate heading into 2025-26, but let's examine the biggest questions facing him.

For argument sake, we'll go one "off court" question and one "on-court" question.

McNamara needs to figure out how exactly he wants his team to play - and how his rotations will work as a result of that.

So far, McNamara has established a fairly long and athletic roster. Is he looking to play a smaller and athletic lineup that maxes out at 6-foot-9 or so, but features multiple players in the 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-9 range?

Does he wants a traditional lineup that allows him to use a true point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center? If he does that, multiple wing players are looking at more bench minutes.

Based on prior resumes, this SU team doesn't look to be a team that is destined to be knockdown from the three-point line, so how does McNamara handle that? Does the team simply get better from beyond-the-arc? Or does McNamara put a long and athletic team out there that can force turnovers defensively and get out in transition? 

What kind of team will you be, and how will the playing time reflect that is question No. 1, at least to me.

How does McNamara get everyone excited about the program again?

His name alone should bring excitement back to the JMA Wireless Dome, but how does he get this team resonating in the community? How does he get them involved in the community? And is the style of play fun for fans to come out and watch?

And as for recruits, what's the vision that he's able to sell? Syracuse hasn't been to the tournament in five years - and hasn't had success in getting players to the NBA. So, how does McNamara change those two things? Because those two things ultimately matter to recruits in a big way.

Fran Brown and his football staff will have to wait until at least early July to find out the intentions of one of top recruiting targets in the Class of 2027.

Canisius High School (Buffalo, N.Y.) running back Elijah Kimble will make his decision on July 3. He announced that date on his social media channels. Kimble is the No. 1 ranked prospect in New York State. He previously visited with Syracuse. 

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