TNIAAM roundtable: our thoughts on the 2026-2027 WBB roster
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TNIAAM roundtable: our thoughts on the 2026-2027 WBB roster
Tyi Skinner #0 of the Syracuse Orange handles the ball during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame women's college basketball exhibition game between the Syracuse Orange and the UConn Huskies at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, United States, on October 12, 2026. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Audrey Becker·SB Nation
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6 min read
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With the Syracuse Orange women's basketball season starting tonight at 6:00 against Sacred Heart (ACCNX), we asked the staff to share some thoughts on Felisha Legette-Jack's squad.
Who is the best player for this Orange squad?
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Audrey:I think it has to be Uche Izoje, at least at this point. Disregarding her poor performance against UConn in preseason, her impact is felt from the second she steps onto the court on both the offensive and defensive ends. Last season, she averaged 15.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.9 steals. She had a double double in more than half of her games last year, including a dominant 21/17 in a win against Florida State and 27/12 in an overtime loss to North Carolina. She led the ACC in total blocks and offensive rebounds. She is THE center of the ACC, and I think she's only going to improve in year two.
Kevin:Izoje is the best player, and she needs to play like it this year. What I mean by that is she is going to have to expect that teams will plan to take her out of the offense. I don't want to see Izoje settle for shots away from the rim. Syracuse needs her to be aggressive and to demand the ball in key situations and the Orange guards need to get her the ball moving towards the basket.
Dom:Izoje. No further explanation needed. She determines the ultimate floor and ceiling of this year's Orange.
Sam:Izoje. The question isn't whether she's the best player on the team. It's whether she's good enough to be an All-American. Which, ironically, might end up depending more on how good everybody around her is than how well she plays.
Mar 6, 2026; Duluth, GA, USA; Syracuse Orange center Uche Izoje (44) shoots over Louisville Cardinals forward Elif Istanbulluoglu (11) during the first half at Gas South Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Who is most likely to have a breakout season?
Audrey:Emely Rodriguez will fill the Sophie-Burrows-sized hole in this roster. I think 'Cuse fans will be impressed with her scoring ability and IQ.
Kevin:I agree with Rodriguez. As long as she's healthy this year, she should be able to take advantage of the opportunities she'll have.
Dom:Tyi Skinner. Veteran scorer entering her sixth collegiate season, but coming off an injury-riddled season in 25-26. Same playbook as when FLJ landed Laila Phelia. Pairing her with Izoje and the rest of the supporting cast, Skinner's scoring average can easily tick back up to where she was a year or two ago. Honorable mention, but if Izoje can really made the leap to borderline All-American territory, that alone is a breakout in my books.
Sam:I'm a big fan of Emely Rodriguez. I think she can handle the ball well enough to play some 2-guard in three-big lineups, but will make her home as a wing/small forward at 6-foot. FLJ called her a "prototype pro," and she's already shown the ability to score double figures in a power league. This is probably more "bounce back" than true breakout, but I do think it's possible that there's another level to her game beyond what she showed at UCF.
Who is this team's X-factor?
Audrey:Tyi Skinner has the potential to be the conductor of this Orange team. Although the sample size is very limited (this team has only played one game so far), Skinner is an experienced guard who not only is quick, but seems like a confident and reliable offensive facilitator that can immediately impact this group.
Kevin:Shy Hawkins. If teams want to double Izoje and try to deny the guards, a player like Hawkins can find space to operate. Can she take advantage and become a consistent secondary scorer?
Dom:The entire forward rotation. There's enough guard depth to make up for the offseason departures. But Sophie Burrows' transfer and Journey Thompson's graduation leave a big question mark at the starting three and four. Hawkins and Keira Scott are entering their junior years. Maybe Madison Howard can come in and immediate provide support off the bench. There's some three-guard lineup potential if all else doesn't work, but definitely uncertainty at the forward spots.
Sam:Any of the freshmen/international players. These are the biggest unknowns about the roster. If this team is going to hit its absolute ceiling, it probably isn't relying on Velez and Schmitt to give much at all. It would mean that one of Madison Howard, Celaine Ricco, or Elif Cayir is better than expected in year one, and can grab some valuable rotation minutes as a ceiling-raiser.
Mar 23, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Felisha Legette-Jack signals the play into her players on the court during the first half of the second round game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of this group?
Audrey:Two noticeable strengths are size and defense. This roster is physically imposing on both ends of the floor. Not necessarily a weakness, but a big question mark is 'Cuse's ability to keep up behind the three point line.
Kevin:With only one exhibition game to go by, I think the strength would be experience. Syracuse added some veteran college players out of the portal and I think that having players who have been in P4 competition will be important. I am worried about the outside shooting as teams are going to collapse to stop Izoje from dominating inside. Can the perimeter players be consistent enough? Last year's up and down shooting hurt the Orange so I'm curious to see what this year brings
Dom:Izoje as a foundation will cover up a fair number of roster limitations. With her, Syracuse should have a good number of games where it will at least be in it. Experience: eight of the 13 players are juniors or older. Perimeter shooting and not-so-proven forward depth are the top two worries.
Sam:The team's biggest strength is its frontcourt. As Dom mentioned, Izoje herself is a strength simply by being on the roster, but I'd also say that committing to an identity with having Sarah Rambus and Jaleesa Molina be the veteran additions is something that gives SU a chance to be dominant on the glass. That's how FLJ wants to play. On the flip side, shooting is a major weakness. Skinner is the team's most reliable outside shooter, but beyond her, how much are we actually sure about from deep?
