LAS VEGAS – The Syracuse Orange faced a significant setback with a 95-64 defeat against the Iowa State Cyclones at the Players Era Festival. While defensive struggles were evident, the core issue has been the team’s offensive execution, characterized by a lack of direction and purpose.
Throughout the tournament, Syracuse exhibited a stagnant offensive style, resulting in excessive standing and dribbling. This ineffective approach led to numerous turnovers, with Iowa State capitalizing on these mistakes to score 20 points in the second half alone. Coach T.J. Otzelberger praised his team’s defensive execution, stating, “Proud of our guys for their execution second-half defensively, setting the tone with the ball pressure, generating turnovers and scoring off our defense. That’s our identity.”
Syracuse aims to establish a similar identity but has struggled to generate fast breaks and easy scoring opportunities. The team’s half-court offense has been criticized for its deliberation and inefficiency. Central to this issue is Naithan George, a third-year point guard recruited from Georgia Tech, whose performance has raised concerns. Across three games in the festival, George recorded a troubling 6-of-22 shooting from the field, alongside 12 assists and 13 turnovers.
Defensive strategies employed by opponents have effectively stifled George’s gameplay. Both Iowa State and Houston utilized aggressive double-teaming tactics that forced him into difficult situations, consuming valuable shot clock time and increasing the likelihood of turnovers. Teammates have not consistently provided support, which has compounded the challenges George faces on the court.
Head coach Adrian Autry acknowledged the need for a collective effort to assist George. “There are some things that we need to tweak to help everyone, right?” he said. “We’re still trying to put it all together and I think we’ve had moments. We just really haven’t caught a groove yet, which I’m sure he will.”
As the team progresses through the 2025-26 season, Autry emphasized the importance of George making better decisions under pressure. The coach, who enjoyed a successful playing career as a point guard, understands the complexities of adjusting to new teammates and systems.
Despite the current struggles, Autry expressed confidence in George’s resilience and work ethic. “We’ve asked him to really focus on both sides of the ball and he’s done a tremendous job of that,” he noted. “So, I think some adjusting does need to take place for him. I don’t worry about Nait. He’s a resilient kid. He’s a hard worker. He’ll get it turned around.”
As Syracuse continues its season, the spotlight remains on its point guard. Improved performance and decision-making will be crucial for the team to regain momentum and establish a more effective offensive identity.
