As the offseason buzz around Syracuse men's basketball begins to settle, a fresh wave of data from the analytics site EvanMiya is giving fans a new reason to feel optimistic about the Orange's rebuild under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara. While the roster might not be finalized just yet, the numbers paint a promising picture for a program eager to turn the page after a stretch of underwhelming seasons.

Yesterday, we heard from analyst Jeff Goodman, who wasn't exactly bullish on Syracuse's chances. But Evan Miyakawa's projections tell a different story. As of Tuesday, the Orange are projected to have a roster hovering around the top-50 nationally. That's a solid starting point for a team looking to claw its way back into the NCAA Tournament conversation.

Digging into the specifics, EvanMiya's metrics suggest Syracuse could enter the preseason with a defense ranked between No. 38 and No. 46 in the country, while the offense slots in between No. 55 and No. 64. It's worth noting that these projections don't factor in coaching ability or recent team success—so there's plenty of room for McNamara's system to make an impact.

For a program that has struggled defensively this decade—Syracuse hasn't cracked the top 75 in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency since 2021, the last time they made the NCAA Tournament—this defensive outlook is a breath of fresh air. The Orange have been porous on that end for years, but the numbers suggest a potential turnaround is in the works.

EvanMiya also dropped some intriguing player-specific data, focusing on the projected rotation and their Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR)—a comprehensive metric designed to quantify a player's overall impact. Leading the pack is former McNeese guard Garvey Dual, whose BPR sits more than a full point higher than anyone else on the roster. He's followed by returning sophomore forward Sadiq White Jr. and Siena transfer guard Gavin Doty.

What's especially telling is that four of the top five players in BPR are transfers: Dual, Doty, Aiden Tobiason (from Temple), and Francis Folefac (from Siena). That's a clear sign that Syracuse's offseason strategy of hitting the portal has paid off, at least on paper. With a mix of experienced newcomers and returning talent, the Orange are shaping up to be a team that could surprise some people come November.