Syracuse Basketball: Most exciting, intriguing ACC games for Orange

Syracuse basketball has a ton of interesting ACC clashes on the horizon.

Syracuse basketball and the rest of its Atlantic Coast Conference peers learned their league schedules for the 2020-21 season on Tuesday, as the upcoming campaign approaches roughly two weeks before it commences.

I would characterize the Orange’s ACC calendar as challenging for sure, but not ridiculously tough nor particularly soft. As I’ve said in the past, I believe that the ‘Cuse is primed for a top-six finish in the conference, and I still feel that way after seeing the team’s ACC docket.

Syracuse basketball will suit up twice against regulars Boston College and Pittsburgh, as well as Clemson, Louisville, N.C. State and North Carolina.

The Cardinals and the Tar Heels will likely arrive in the ACC’s top tier, while the Tigers and Wolfpack, like the Orange, should hover around the March Madness bubble. The Eagles and the Panthers aren’t expected to prove super strong.

The ‘Cuse hosts 2019-20 ACC champion Florida State, along with a good Miami team, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. Conversely, the Orange will make trips to Duke, Virginia, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest.

That road line-up is fairly rough. The Blue Devils and the Cavaliers will probably amount to the top-two crews in the conference, while the Yellow Jackets are pretty darn solid as well.

My picks for the top-10 Syracuse basketball contests during the ACC schedule.

Feb. 22, at Duke
It’s quite possible that the Blue Devils won’t have fans in the stands for their home games, however, this is still the best match-up for the Orange.

Jan. 25, at Virginia
The Cavaliers are the favorite to win the ACC crown, and they’re also a pre-season top-five unit on a national scale.

March 1, North Carolina
As it currently stands this is the regular-season finale for the ‘Cuse, and I assume it would be senior day/senior night.

Jan. 5/6, Florida State
The Seminoles, once again, are an excellent group.

Feb. 2/3, Louisville
I view the Cardinals and the Orange as contenders for the No. 5 and No. 6 spots in the ACC.

Jan. 19/20, Miami
The Hurricanes are a likely Big Dance participant.

Feb. 27, at Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets could contend for an NCAA Tournament berth, too, so this is a critical road battle.

Jan. 12/13, Clemson
The Tigers may be on the outside looking in for March Madness, but Syracuse basketball has to take care of business at the Carrier Dome.

Jan. 31, N.C. State
The Wolfpack looks legit, and yet again the Orange can ill-afford to fall on its own turf.

Jan. 2, at North Carolina
UNC will be so much better than in 2019-20, and I hope that the ‘Cuse can smoke the Tar Heels in both duels this stanza like Syracuse basketball did to North Carolina in the ACC Tournament this past March.

Speaking of the ACC Tournament, it is planned for March 9-13 of next year at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. – my hometown!

The Orange’s seven non-conference encounters are still getting ironed out. The ‘Cuse will reportedly host Bryant the day after Thanksgiving, as well as former Big East Conference rival Georgetown sometime in January.

Syracuse basketball will travel to Rutgers on Tuesday, Dec. 8, as part of the 2020 ACC-Big Ten Challenge.