We already examined the ‘Cuse as it relates to the pre-season Associated Press top-25 poll. Syracuse basketball picked up a couple of votes in this ballot but was shut out of the top 25.
The pre-season Coaches top-25 poll also recently got unveiled, and the Orange isn’t included. That being said, the ‘Cuse did obtain six votes in the “others receiving votes” department.
I always like it when Syracuse basketball arrives on a new stanza with the expectations for the team tempered. And given that Atlantic Coast Conference media members project the Orange as a middle-of-the-pack squad within the league’s standings in 2021-22, it’s not a surprise at all that the ‘Cuse isn’t a top-25 group to commence this new term.
Let’s see which Syracuse basketball foes are in the pre-season Coaches poll.
As we’ve noted on numerous occasions of late, the Orange possesses a challenging and entertaining schedule in 2021-22, and many of its foes are either ranked or receiving votes in the pre-season Coaches top-25 ballot.
Up first is Villanova, at No. 4. Syracuse basketball and its long-time Big East Conference rival will battle in December at the 2021 Jimmy V Classic in New York City.
If the ‘Cuse and Baylor, the defending NCAA champs, both succeed in their first games at the 2021 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis over the Thanksgiving holiday, then the Orange will get a duel with the Bears, a squad that is No. 8 in the pre-season Coaches poll.
In the ACC portion of the 2021-22 docket, Syracuse basketball has Duke and Florida State twice, as well as North Carolina and Virginia once each. The Blue Devils are No. 9, the Seminoles are No. 19, the Tar Heels are No. 20 and the Cavaliers are No. 25.
Auburn is No. 22 and Connecticut is No. 23. Both the Tigers and Huskies reside within the other half of the bracket at the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis, so it’s possible that the ‘Cuse could square off with either of them.
The two other units in the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis that are on the bracket’s other side are Loyola Chicago and Michigan State. In the pre-season Coaches poll, they are both in the “others receiving votes” category.
The same goes for Indiana, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. In late November, Syracuse basketball will host the Hoosiers in the 2021 ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Orange has scheduled road games versus the Hokies and the Fighting Irish.