After going 15-17 last season and missing the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season, the Syracuse men's basketball program is looking to make major improvements under new head coach Gerry McNamara.
McNamara, who took Siena from 4-28 to the NCAA Tournament in just two years, has breathed new life into a program that had grown stagnant during the end of the the Jim Boeheim-era and the three-year Adrian Autry tenure.
The Orange have put together a competitive roster via the transfer portal, which is paired with returners Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White, and they've also put together a competitive schedule that features the likes of Indiana, Providence, and Oklahoma. They'll also play UConn in an exhibition matchup.
And while not as challenging as those contests, Syracuse did announce another non-conference matchup on Tuesday with in-state foe Binghamton.
Here's what you need to know:
About the Bearcats
The Bearcats, who compete in the America East, really struggled last season, going 8-23 overall and 4-12 inside league play. They were just 1-14 on the road, including an 85-47 loss against the Orange on Opening Night.
This year's matchup will occur on Dec. 22, right before the Christmas holiday. It's also likely that this is the final non-conference game of the season, as ACC play began on Dec. 31 last year.
Binghamton was better in 2024-25, going 15-17 overall and 7-9 inside the conference.
About last year's matchup
Five Syracuse players scored in double-figures in this matchup, with Donnie Freeman leading the way with 20 and William Kyle III chipping in with 16. Naithan George had 14 while Anthony had 15 and Tyler Betsey had 10.
Anthony is the only player returning to this roster. Freeman transferred to St. John's, Betsey went to BYU and George went to Pitt.
Kyle has graduated and will look to play professionally.
Also on the Syracuse schedule
–The team's first home regular season game will be against New Haven on Nov. 2
–The Orange will also play Central Connecticut State later that week, at home, on Nov. 5.
–Syracuse will play inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis against Indiana on Nov. 9.
–SU will host Lafayette on Nov. 21.
–As a part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, the Orange will take on Oklahoma on Dec 1. That game will be in Norman, Okla.
–Syracuse will host Colgate on Dec. 8.
–Syracuse will play against Canisius on Dec. 16 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
–In a revival of an old BIG EAST matchup, the Orange will play Providence in Boston at the TD Garden on Dec. 19.
An announced game against St. John's, plus all conference games dates and times, have yet to be confirmed.
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