Syracuse HC Gerry McNamara details plans for Jim Boeheim 2-3 Zone appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Syracuse men’s basketball program, once an elite program annually, has fallen on hard times. They have failed to reach the NCAA Tournament for the last five seasons. That prompted a change, as Syracuse signed Orange legend Gerry McNamara as its new head coach.
McNamara previously coached Siena, who nearly led the Saints to an improbable upset of the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils.
With McNamara at the helm, optimism has been spurred. But one thing on every Syracuse fan’s mind is whether the team will employ the 2-3 zone. Jim Boeheim, the Hall of Fame coach, famously used the 2-3 exclusively.
On Tuesday, the newest Syracuse head coach was asked whether he intended to utilize the 2-3 this season.
“Not primarily, no,” McNamara said, per college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.
“At Siena, we used it if I felt like we needed to make a change to the flow of the game. I used it in the Duke game late in the first half because I felt like we needed a break. So, we used it at different times.”
Will Syracuse use a 2-3 zone under Gerry McNamarahttps://t.co/c9JLel3odd (Apple) https://t.co/EsZxIkcHSA (Spotify) https://t.co/K4CWtoxWOY (YouTube) pic.twitter.com/ZznA9PexU7
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 28, 2026
Boeheim’s 2-3 wreaked havoc for opposing offenses for decades. The Syracuse basketball program typically always sought long, athletic wings and bigs who can stretch out the court.
Even though the 2003 national champion guard will not employ it the majority of the time, he believes the Syracuse roster is built for it.
“I’ll tell you what. If you look at our roster, it’s going to be pretty good in terms of the length and athleticism. I think we have a pretty good group to play it. Typically, what I have done the last two years at Siena, I’ve spent a two or three-day stretch in the summertime, and a three to four-day stretch back in the fall of implementing the rules to it.
“Then just touching on it every now and then. That way, if we ever need it, we’ve got it in our pocket to play it.”
Clearly, McNamara is looking to walk his own path. Syracuse has been searching for someone that can step out of Boeheim’s shadow and bring the Orange back to national prominence. Even though the young head coach will not employ the Syracuse staple on defense often, things are looking up in Central New York.
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