SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- On Friday, the Syracuse men's basketball team held its annual media day session at the Carmelo Anthony Center.

And this year's team certainly looks different than last season's. Not only is former head coach Adrian Autry gone in favor of Gerry McNamara, the entire starting lineup from last year is gone as well.

In fact, this team has only three seniors, (Tasman Goodrick, Garway Dual, and Amarri Monroe), and none of those players has ever suited up for the Orange.

Francis Folefac, an underclassmen, is poised to take on more of leadership role for the team this upcoming season. We spoke with him on Friday.

A sophomore transfer from Landham, Md., Folefac continued to improve throughout the 2025-26 season under McNamara at Siena. He's one of four players or recruiting commits that McNamara brought with him to Syracuse.

Following an injury to teammate Tasman Goodrick last season, Folefac saw his role and minutes at Siena immediately increase. The 6-foot-7 forward went on to average 11.3 ppg, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while helping Siena to its first conference title and NCAA tournament appearance in over 15 years. Siena earned a No. 16 seed, losing to No. 1 Duke in the Round of 64.

Folefac is just one of three players on the roster who have played under Gerry McNamara. The sophomore, along with teammates Gavin Doty and Goodrick all played at Siena. Folefac told us this weekend that he has helped his teammates understand McNamara's coaching style and expectations:

"Me, Tazzie and Gavin we talk to our team. We come together. We let them know like 'Hey this is what Coach McNamara wants. This is how he operates. When you do this, this is the read.' Help guys understand the way he (McNamara) wants us to play."

While Folefac's height at 6-foot-7 will be much shorter than most ACC power forwards and centers, he is still likely to use his physical frame to his advantage. At 245 pounds, he, along with Luke Wilson (255 pounds), are the two heaviest players on the roster.

Folefac's game is centered around on the interior and short-range jump shots. The strength for Folefac could come in the form of his passing game. 

He could be integral in generating paint touches and kicking out to open shooters who are in rhythm.

That is one of the many interesting storylines that SyracuseRoundtable will be monitoring in the preseason. It is likely that Folefac is behind players like Wilson in the center rotation, but his overall experience - and experience with McNamara - could lead him to more minutes.

The Orange's preseason schedule includes the first against UConn on Tuesday. That's followed by a matchup against Siena on Oct. 18 and a final tune-up game against Niagara on Oct. 24,