Syracuse Basketball: Orange will collide with a boatload of ranked foes

The Syracuse basketball 2021-22 schedule is a wildly entertaining and brutally challenging one, with tons of exciting games on the docket.

For all the historical complaining by some commentators and fans alike that the Orange never leaves the state of New York and plays a bunch of cupcakes during the non-conference slate, this season’s calendar is filled with a lot of daunting match-ups for the ‘Cuse.

The pre-season Associated Press top-25 poll has been unveiled, and unsurprisingly, the Orange isn’t ranked on this ballot. The ‘Cuse did, though, receive a couple of votes in the “others receiving votes” category.

In taking a look at this AP poll, there is an abundance of games in 2021-22 where Syracuse basketball will suit up, at least for the time being, versus ranked opponents (or foes that received some votes).

Let’s review which Syracuse basketball opponents are in the pre-season ratings.

The highest-ranked team, so far, on the Orange’s schedule is Villanova, checking in at No. 4. These former Big East Conference rivals will clash in December in the 2021 Jimmy V Classic at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Baylor, which knocked off undefeated Gonzaga in the 2021 NCAA Tournament championship game, is No. 8. There is a caveat here, though.

The Bears and the ‘Cuse are on the same side of the bracket in the 2021 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, which takes place over the Thanksgiving holiday.

In the opening round of this tournament, if Baylor beats Arizona State, and the Orange conquers VCU – both of which I think will happen – then Syracuse basketball will get a meeting with the defending champs.

Duke is No. 9. The ‘Cuse will play the Blue Devils twice in the 2021-22 regular season. Fellow blue-blood squad North Carolina is No. 19, and Syracuse basketball travels to Chapel Hill in late February.

Florida State is No. 20. The Seminoles and the Orange have a home-and-home series this coming season. On New Year’s Day, the ‘Cuse will welcome Virginia to the Hill. The Cavaliers are No. 25.

The Orange’s third opponent in the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis will be Auburn, Connecticut, Loyola Chicago or Michigan State. Auburn is No. 22, UConn is No. 24, and Michigan State is in the “others receiving votes” department.

Syracuse basketball will host Indiana in late November as part of the 2021 ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Hoosiers aren’t in the top 25, but they did receive votes.

In other Atlantic Coast Conference duels, the ‘Cuse has Louisville at home, as well as Notre Dame and Virginia Tech on the road. All three of those teams received votes in the pre-season AP ballot.