Get your popcorn ready, my friends. This non-conference game for Syracuse basketball will be appointment television in the upcoming season.
CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein is reporting that the Orange and former long-time Big East Conference rival St. John's are finalizing a deal to play each other in an enticing non-conference encounter at the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
NEWS: St. John’s and Syracuse are finalizing an agreement to meet next season at MSG, according to multiple sources.https://t.co/tzKLXgv5e7
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 12, 2026
A date for this New York City match-up is to be determined, along with other details. The rumor mill, lately, had been churning related to a possible game between the 'Cuse and the Red Storm. It's extremely exciting that this battle appears to be happening in head coach Gerry McNamara's first campaign as head coach of his alma mater.
The storylines practically write themselves. First and foremost, McNamara, during his playing days on the Hill, had some breathtaking performances at MSG, leading Syracuse basketball to Big East Tournament crowns in 2005 and 2006.
McNamara recently said in a podcast interview with Rothstein that he wants to play at Madison Square Garden frequently, and it looks like the new Orange head coach will get such a chance right away.
Syracuse basketball against St. John's should be electric.
The 'Cuse has a sizable alumni and fan base in the New York metropolitan region, which is also a key recruiting market for the program. Rick Pitino has done a wonderful job at St. John's in his three seasons leading the Red Storm, which has won at least 30 games in each of the past two campaigns.
From a marketing standpoint, Syracuse and St. John's are the two biggest college basketball brands in New York state, but now McNamara must lead the Orange back to its glory days. Of course, there is the additional storyline of former Syracuse basketball sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman transferring to the Red Storm.
Plus, let's not forget that Pitino, in the 1970s, served as an assistant coach under Jim Boeheim for several years. Given how competitive McNamara is, nothing would make him happier than to bring the 'Cuse into MSG and come away with a non-conference victory against a St. John's group that will likely be a preseason top-20 team ahead of the 2026-27 stanza commencing.
The Orange facing high-quality opponents in the non-conference docket is important, but SU must win some of these contests. It's also a good thing for Syracuse basketball to have games in New York City, while consistently squaring off with former Big East rivals.
In their all-time series, the 'Cuse is 52-43 against the Red Storm, according to SU Athletics, but St. John's has captured four straight in the series. Hopefully, McNamara and his team can reverse that trend in the 2026-27 season.
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