Indiana should target this Syracuse star if he transfers amid Adrian Autry’s firing

Indiana's front court could get a big boost from this Syracuse star if he decides to transfer after Adrian Autry's firing.
Mar 7, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Adrian Autry looks on during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Mar 7, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Adrian Autry looks on during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The college basketball coaching carousel is already in motion, as several schools have announced decisions to move on from their current coaches over the last week.

In the ACC, Syracuse is expected to move on from Adrian Autry after three seasons with the Orange.

In today's world of college hoops, the transfer portal has added another dimension to the coaching carousel. Thus, the decision to move on from Autry could have serious implications on Syracuse's roster for next season. Teams across the country looking to fill holes in their rosters will be keeping a keen eye on which Syracuse players decide to hit the portal looking for another opportunity.

Shocking Maxx Crosby development changes everything for Raiders as Fernando Mendoza era nears

One Syracuse player worth monitoring is sophomore forward Donnie Freeman, who has been the best player for the Orange this season. If he decides to test the transfer portal waters, Darian DeVries and Indiana should give him some serious attention.

Donnie Freeman would be a huge get for Indiana's front court

Earlier this week, DeVries stated that addressing the front court is priority No. 1 for the Hoosiers during the offseason. With two years of eligibility remaining, Freeman would be a top target for IU should he decide to enter the portal.

Freeman leads the Orange with 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season, and is shooting a strong 47.4% from the floor. A 6'9" 205-pound forward, Freeman can also stretch the floor a bit as he is shooting 30.2% from beyond the arc. He also has plenty of experience as a sophomore, as he's started 34 of his 37 games with Syracuse over the last two seasons.

Given his experience and well-rounded skill set, Freeman would likely the a top priority for a lot of schools if he enters the portal. However, given Indiana's lack of depth and ineffectiveness in the front court this season, DeVries and company need to roll out the red carpet for Freeman if given the opportunity. A player of his caliber has the potential to seriously boost Indiana's roster heading into next season.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations