Syracuse Basketball: Non-conference slate splendid, and totally brutal

All too often, a large contingent of Syracuse basketball fans, and many in the national media, speak to the notion that the Orange usually plays a weak non-conference schedule.

For me personally, I believe that this tired tale is, well, over-exaggerated. Nonetheless, as things stand heading into next season, the ‘Cuse is poised to suit up for a really challenging non-conference calendar.

As reported by CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, citing sources, Syracuse basketball is planning to battle former Big East Conference rival Villanova in the 2021 Jimmy V Classic at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City.

That contest will pit the Orange against a Wildcats group that a lot of analysts and journalists are pegging as a pre-season top-10 squad ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

This juicy encounter also features junior forward Cole Swider versus his former team, as Swider recently announced that he would transfer from Villanova to the ‘Cuse.

But that’s not all as it pertains to the Orange’s non-conference docket in 2021-22. Not even close, frankly.

Syracuse basketball will possess a daunting non-conference slate.

While the ‘Cuse non-conference schedule isn’t all wrapped up at this juncture, let’s review some other expected match-ups. Most likely, Syracuse basketball will have a game at the Carrier Dome in the annual ACC-Big Ten Challenge, since the Orange traveled to Rutgers in the recently concluded term.

The ‘Cuse will also make a trip to another former Big East Conference nemesis in Georgetown. Syracuse basketball snuck by the Hoyas, 74-69, on the Hill earlier this year as part of the 2020-21 stanza.

Georgetown shocked the college basketball world when, this past March, it captured the Big East Conference Tournament and landed an invite to the Big Dance.

Last but not least, the ‘Cuse is participating in the absolutely loaded 2021 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis. The team’s opponents aren’t known at this time, however, the field includes Arizona State, Auburn, Loyola Chicago, Michigan State, Connecticut, VCU and Baylor.

Loyola Chicago, Michigan State, Connecticut and VCU all made the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Oh, and you might remember that Baylor cut down the nets in early April, when the Bears totally crushed previously undefeated Gonzaga in the championship clash.

Villanova is a high-quality foe. Georgetown seems headed on an upward trajectory. And the Orange’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge opponent should be a solid one, since the Big Ten Conference is among the best leagues around the country.

So much for Syracuse basketball playing a soft non-conference line-up. Between these affairs and the usual ruggedness of Atlantic Coast Conference competition, the ‘Cuse will have ample opportunities to bolster its resume for the 2022 March Madness.