Syracuse Basketball: This time around, Orange had better destroy Colgate

Of all the setbacks that Syracuse basketball suffered during the 2021-22 season, probably the two that irritated me the most were against former Big East Conference rival Georgetown and nearby New York neighbor Colgate.

The Hoyas, this past December, squeaked by the Orange by four points in Washington, D.C. Georgetown would have a really bad 2021-22 stanza, and that was an ugly loss for the ‘Cuse.

However, Syracuse basketball falling to a heated rival by a few points on the road isn’t as bad, in my humble opinion, as what Colgate did to the Orange on the Hill last November.

The Raiders, a squad that was really, really good in 2021-22, absolutely torched the ‘Cuse zone defense in a 15-point domination of Syracuse basketball from the Dome after the Orange had built up a 15-point advantage in the first half.

Syracuse basketball will look to exact revenge on Colgate.

In their last meeting together, the Raiders connected on a ridiculous 18 makes from 3-point land, exposing an Orange defense that would mightily struggle throughout the 2021-22 term.

When all was said and done, Colgate had entered enemy territory and came away with a stunning 100-85 triumph. That result snapped a 54-game success streak for Syracuse basketball versus the Raiders.

Now, as SU Athletics announced, the Orange will get its chance to return the favor. According to a press release on cuse.com, Syracuse basketball will welcome Colgate to the newly renamed JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday, Nov. 15, as part of the ‘Cuse non-conference slate in the 2022-23 campaign.

In the history of the Orange hoops program, it has faced the Raiders more times than any other foe. In their series together that dates back to 1902, Syracuse basketball still has a commanding edge, at 127-46.

However, we all remember the beat-down that the ‘Cuse received at the hands of Colgate a stanza ago. It’s time for payback.

To be fair, Syracuse basketball went 16-17 in 2021-22, its first losing season under head coach Jim Boeheim in his 46 years at the team’s helm.

Conversely, in 2021-22, the Raiders finished up at 23-12 overall and 16-2 in Patriot League competition. Colgate landed a spot in this spring’s Big Dance after winning the Patriot League’s post-season tournament.

In the most recent March Madness, the No. 14 seed Raiders gave No. 3 seed Wisconsin all it could handle in a round of 64 clash from the Midwest Region, but the Badgers ultimately emerged victorious, 67-60.

I’m sure that, looking ahead, Colgate will prove an excellent squad in 2022-23, but the Raiders won’t have senior guard Nelly Cummings, who was fabulous against both Syracuse basketball and Wisconsin this past season.

Cummings, with one year of eligibility remaining, transferred from Colgate to fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Pittsburgh.

Regardless, Raiders head coach Matt Langel has done a wonderful job with his team, and you know he’ll have Colgate ready to roll when the Raiders once again collide with the ‘Cuse this coming November.