New Season, New Fire: Syracuse Sets Bold Tone at 2025 ACC Tip Off

By: Sydney Cuillier

Commissioner James J. “Jim” Phillips addresses the media at 2025 ACC Tip Off in Charlotte, NC. Photo Credits: Nell Redmon/theACC.com

CHARLOTTE, NC – For nearly 20 years, ACC teams have come together for a three-day event ahead of the basketball season to preview what fans can expect before the first jump ball on their home courts. Today is the last day of the 2025 ACC Tip Off in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Syracuse set the stage, letting all know that this upcoming season will be one to remember.

After a complete internal restructure of the Syracuse women’s coaching staff and 8 new additions to the roster, Head Coach Felisha-Legette Jack, two-thirds of the team’s captains, Sophie Burrows and Laila Phelia, have a unifying theme of bringing their “why” to practice every day and having it translate to the court.

“We are working hard every day to not just get our mental focus but also get our bodies right and in shape. We have 15 great players that’s ready and willing and competitively working hard to earn minutes, so we as coaches have to be consistent just like our players,” Legette Jack said.

While the whistle hasn’t blown for the first matchup just yet, Sophie Burrows and Laila Phelia are not only excited, but they also displayed utmost confidence for what the season’s conclusion chapter would be.

“We were talking the other day about how Syracuse has never won an ACC championship. So, we definitely want to make history this season and get there,” Burrows said.

WBB Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack sits down with ACC Network talent and talks the 2025-2026 season. Photo Credits: Sydney Cuillier

As the women chase their first ACC crown with renewed determination, the men are bonding over family ties. Head Coach Adrian Autry is in his third year at the helm, and the main notion he wants his players to embody as they start and continue through the season is that they are a family.

“That’s what I’m most excited about with this team this year, is for everyone to get a chance to see how much they care about each other and how connected they really are. I think that’s going to bode well for us this upcoming season.”

Coach Autry’s journey from the SYR to the CLT wasn’t complete without returning players Donnie Freeman and J.J. Starling joined him. Starling quickly emerged as the leading scorer from last season, averaging 17.8 points per game, and before his season-ending foot injury, Freeman was dubbed a “breakout” freshman due to his physical frontcourt presence. Both heading into the 2025-206 season, ultimately serving as the building blocks Syracuse needed for the upcoming resurgence to prominence.

“We have the right pieces, the right group of guys that just want to play for each other and want to be there for each other and just compete, and get to the NCAA tournament,” said Starling.

(From left to right) MBB Head Coach Adrian Autry, J.J. Starling, and Donovan “Donnie” Freeman discuss moving forward as a family ahead of the season. Photo Credits: Sydney Cuillier

Both teams are approaching this season with a newfound fire, fueled by a desire to rectify the wrongs that occurred previously. The question of what happened to Syracuse basketball keeps floating around, but this year, the Orange are ready to answer it.
The men’s team opens with an exhibition on October 25th, and the women will follow suit with their first appearance in the dome on October 28th.