You can't make this stuff up. Lol.
Coincidence or not, Syracuse basketball is expected to play a non-conference, neutral-site game in the 2026-27 season against Big East Conference member Providence, according to CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein, citing multiple sources.
This enticing encounter will take place at the TD Garden in Boston. A date for the match-up has yet to be determined, Rothstein says.
NEWS: Syracuse and Providence will meet next season in a neutral site game at TD Garden in Boston, according to multiple sources.https://t.co/h02RegTAbj
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 23, 2026
Now, detailing this as a neutral-site affair is a bit silly, because Providence is a whole lot closer to Boston than Syracuse is. That being said, the Orange has a strong alumni base in the Boston area, so we should see a lot of 'Cuse fans cheering on Syracuse basketball against the Friars.
Syracuse basketball will reportedly face Providence next season.
What makes this non-conference contest extra appealing is that both the Orange and Providence recently named new head coaches for the 2026-27 stanza. Siena head coach and former Orange legendary guard Gerry McNamara was named the next head coach of the 'Cuse earlier this week.
This past Sunday, Providence named Bryan Hodgson as its new head coach. Hodgson is a Western New York native from the Buffalo area. He had a fabulous first season as South Florida's head coach in 2025-26 and before that, he spent two campaigns as Arkansas State's head coach.
Hodgson's name surfaced as a possible candidate to be the next head coach of the Orange, with rumors swirling around that he possibly turned down an offer from the 'Cuse, while other reports have refuted that.
Since relocating from the Big East Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2013-14 season, Syracuse basketball has suited up against numerous former Big East rivals, such as Georgetown, UConn, Villanova and St. John's.
For the Orange, playing Providence is great for a couple of reasons. Number one, GMac against Hodgson is appointment television, given the backstory. Additionally, it's good for the 'Cuse to continue playing Big East teams.
Plus, the Boston metropolitan area is an important recruiting market for SU along the Northeast corridor, one that I hope McNamara and his entire Syracuse basketball staff will emphasize more moving forward.
This past term, the Orange went 15-17 overall, the team's second straight losing season. In 2025-26, Providence was also sub-par, going 15-18 overall and 7-13 in Big East competition.