Syracuse basketball has entered a new era under Gerry McNamara. And here at The Fizz, we’re introducing something new of our own.
Welcome to The Fizz Score, our original player evaluation system designed to measure individual performances on a 100-point scale.
Every game, we’ll grade Syracuse’s players based on more than points, rebounds and assists. We’ll examine shooting efficiency, defense, decision-making, effort, overall impact and the quality of the opponent.
The goal is simple: Who actually played the best basketball, and how much did that performance contribute to winning?
Our first test comes after Syracuse’s 74-58 season-opening victory over New Haven. And while Kiyan Anthony led the Orange in scoring, he didn’t receive our highest grade.
That honor belongs to Gavin Doty.
How the Fizz Score Works
The Fizz Score combines statistical production with basketball evaluation. A player who scores 20 points on inefficient shooting shouldn’t automatically outgrade someone who scores 12 while defending, rebounding, distributing and taking care of the basketball.
Our evaluation uses six weighted categories:
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Offensive production | 25% |
| Offensive efficiency | 20% |
| Defense and rebounding | 20% |
| Overall game impact | 15% |
| Basketball IQ and decision-making | 10% |
| Effort and intangibles | 10% |
We also consider each player’s role, playing time and expectations. A point guard’s responsibility to create offense is different from a center’s responsibility to protect the rim.
Opponent strength matters, too. An outstanding performance against Duke should carry more weight than the same statistical production against an overmatched opponent. We’ll apply a measured strength-of-opponent adjustment as the system develops, without allowing the competition to overshadow what actually happened on the court.
Our grading scale is straightforward: 90-100 represents an outstanding or elite performance, 80-89 is very good, 70-79 is solid, 60-69 is below average, and anything under 60 reflects a poor outing.
These inaugural grades establish our evaluation benchmarks. As we collect more games and calibrate the statistical model, the Fizz Score will become increasingly consistent and useful for comparing performances throughout the season.
Now, the grades.
Syracuse vs. New Haven: The Fizz Scores
| Player | Fizz Score |
|---|---|
| Gavin Doty | 92 |
| Sadiq White Jr. | 90 |
| Kiyan Anthony | 84 |
| Garwey Dual | 79 |
| Abdramane Siby | 77 |
| Amarri Monroe | 75 |
| Mark Morano | 72 |
| Luke Wilson | 65 |
| Ryan Moesch | 61 |
| Tasman Goodrick | NG |
| Iker Martinez | NG |
NG indicates insufficient playing time for a meaningful evaluation.
Gavin Doty — 92
14 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 0 turnovers
The highest Fizz Score of the night belongs to the player who might eventually become Syracuse’s most important piece.
Doty does a little bit of everything, and seemingly does it effortlessly. He rebounds, creates offense, makes smart decisions and doesn’t force the action. In 34 minutes, he didn’t commit a single turnover.
His 13 rebounds were a game high, and his 7-for-8 performance at the free-throw line demonstrated another valuable dimension to his game.
Sadiq White Jr. — 90
14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
This was the aggressive version of White that Syracuse desperately needs.
The sophomore attacked the glass, finished around the basket and made his presence felt defensively. Four offensive rebounds helped create additional opportunities, while his combination of steals and blocks showed his ability to disrupt opponents.
The only significant deductions came from his 4-for-8 free-throw shooting and some offensive inefficiency.
Kiyan Anthony — 84
17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 turnovers
Remember all the concern about Anthony’s preseason struggles?
He certainly looked more comfortable in the regular-season opener.
Anthony led Syracuse with 17 points, confidently hunting offensive opportunities and looking much more natural within McNamara’s system especially in the first half. His willingness to attack was an encouraging development after a difficult exhibition stretch.
The efficiency wasn’t perfect. Anthony shot 5-for-12 overall and 2-for-8 from three-point range. That’s what prevents his grade from climbing into the 90s.
Still, 17 points and three assists without a turnover is a very good opening performance.
Garwey Dual — 79
7 points, 2 assists
Dual delivered a useful complementary performance. He contributed offensively without needing to dominate possessions and helped Syracuse maintain its overall balance.
Abdramane Siby — 77
4 points, 2 blocks
Siby provided a defensive presence around the basket, registering two blocks in limited action.
His offensive contributions were modest, but his ability to protect the rim was valuable. This is a good example of a player whose grade benefits from doing the less glamorous work.
Amarri Monroe — 75
5 points, 2 rebounds in 9 minutes
Monroe made productive use of his opportunities. His limited playing time keeps the evaluation from carrying the same weight as those of the regular rotation players, but his contributions were encouraging.
Mark Morano — 72
9 points, 3 three-pointers
Morano supplied some perimeter scoring on a night when Syracuse struggled from deep.
He connected on three of eight attempts beyond the arc, accounting for a significant portion of the Orange’s outside shooting. His grade reflects useful offensive production but a less complete overall contribution than the players above him.
Luke Wilson — 65
4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers
Wilson contributed on the glass, but Syracuse needs more consistent production and cleaner execution from its interior rotation.
Five rebounds are useful, but four points and two turnovers don’t represent the kind of impact necessary to earn a strong grade.
Ryan Moesch — 61
0 points, 0-for-8 shooting, 5 assists, 1 turnover
Perhaps the most interesting evaluation of the entire night.
Moesch missed every shot he attempted. G-Mac said he played “terrible” by Moesch’s standards.
But here’s where the Fizz Score becomes more interesting than a traditional report card.
Moesch also recorded five assists, created opportunities for teammates and committed only one turnover. His ability to organize the offense and distribute the basketball deserves credit.
The shooting was undeniably poor. His playmaking was not.
We’ll be tracking every graded performance throughout the season, allowing us to identify the most consistent players, the biggest improvements and the individuals making the greatest impact on Syracuse basketball.
Because points tell part of the story.
The Fizz Score aims to tell the rest.
