Syracuse Basketball: Ideal candidates to fill the last non-conference game

By my count, Syracuse basketball has 10 non-conference opponents lined up for the upcoming campaign, although not all of these match-ups have gotten officially announced by the Orange athletics department.

The ‘Cuse said via press release earlier this week that it would host long-time Central New York foe Colgate on Saturday, Nov. 20, from the Carrier Dome.

The Raiders were terrific a season ago, posting a 14-2 overall mark and reaching the Big Dance. All-time, the Orange is 127-45 against Colgate, and Syracuse basketball has defeated this Patriot League squad on 54 consecutive occasions, per cuse.com.

The Orange is expected to play 11 non-conference games in the 2021-22 term. So far, the team has battles versus Colgate, Drexel, Lafayette, Lehigh, Indiana in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, Georgetown in our nation’s capital, Villanova in New York City, and three duels in the 2021 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis.

That leaves one non-conference encounter remaining. Media reports have suggested this duel will end up being Cornell. But which team would you like the ‘Cuse to face? We have some ideas.

Here are some fun choices for the final Syracuse basketball non-conference opponent.

First and foremost, even though the Huskies struggled a stanza ago, it would prove nice to have the Orange square off versus Mike Hopkins-led Washington.

If that doesn’t work, another Pac-12 Conference group comes to mind. UCLA went on a surprising journey to the 2021 Final Four, and the Bruins will likely be a pre-season top-five outfit this coming term.

In sticking on the west coast, Gonzaga is a juicy possibility. The Bulldogs were tremendous last year, and they are expected to have a similar performance in 2021-22. Plus, head coaches Jim Boeheim and Mark Few are friends.

I’m also all about a rematch with Houston. The Cougars smoked the ‘Cuse in the 2021 Sweet 16, so any time Syracuse basketball can exact revenge works for me.

If we’re looking to remain local within the Empire State, either Iona or St. Bonaventure would be exciting. Rick Pitino guided the Iona Gaels to the 2021 March Madness. The St. Bonaventure Bonnies should be a pre-season top-25 team in 2021-22.

In checking out the Southeastern Conference, Alabama would be tantalizing. The Crimson Tide is led by former Buffalo head coach Nate Oats, and Alabama was a top-10 squad for much of the 2020-21 campaign.

Finally, if we’re considering the Big 12 Conference, Kansas is always at the top of my list. Naturally, the Orange and the Jayhawks played in the 2003 championship game. Plus, Kansas has an absolutely loaded roster heading into this upcoming stanza.