In late November, Syracuse basketball will play three opponents in the second edition of the Players Era Festival, a name, image and likeness-driven event in Las Vegas.
The Players Era Festival will include 18 teams, and it has a loaded field. Each participant is expected to receive at least $1 million in NIL payouts, and that's a big deal for the Orange, which is trying to stay competitive with its peers in the Atlantic Coast Conference and around the country as it relates to college basketball NIL budgets.
Besides Syracuse basketball, the other 17 squads in the field are Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Rutgers, San Diego State, Saint Joseph's, St. John's, Tennessee and UNLV.
On its Web site, it says that match-ups and schedules will be released soon. I've got some teams in mind that I'd like to see Syracuse basketball battle in the 2025 Players Era Festival.
My top five candidates for Syracuse basketball's three games at the Players Era Festival.
St. John's (Big East Conference)
Last season: 31-5 overall, No. 11 in final AP top-25 poll, NCAA Tournament round of 32
Preseason 2025-26 ranking: No. 1 overall from CBS Sports
Rick Pitino-led St. John's had a fabulous 2024-25 campaign, and all indications are that the Red Storm will be a significant contender to reach the 2026 Final Four. Former Syracuse basketball recruit Ian Jackson, a talented guard, transferred from North Carolina to St. John's in the off-season. The Orange last played the Red Storm in November of 2022.
Houston (Big 12 Conference)
Last season: 35-5 overall, No. 2 in the final AP top-25 poll, NCAA Tournament national championship game
Preseason 2025-26 ranking: No. 2 overall from CBS Sports
The Cougars fell to Florida in the national title game, and Houston was oh so close to winning the chip this past spring. Big man Chris Cenac Jr., a 2025 five-star prospect who held a Syracuse basketball offer, will be a freshman with the Cougars, which last played the Orange in the 2021 NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Houston prevailed back then and reached the Final Four.
Michigan (Big Ten Conference)
Last season: 27-10 overall, No. 10 in the final AP top-25 poll, NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Preseason 2025-26 ranking: No. 8 overall from CBS Sports
I was in attendance at the 2013 Final Four in Atlanta, when Michigan squeaked by our beloved Orange. I want some payback. Michigan looks to be one of the Big Ten's top squads in 2025-26. Two former 'Cuse targets are on the Wolverines' roster: wing Roddy Gayle Jr., who previously played at Ohio State, and point guard Elliot Cadeau, who transferred in from North Carolina. The Orange most recently faced Michigan, and the 'Cuse lost on the road, in December of 2014 in the former ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Alabama (Southeastern Conference)
Last season: 28-9 overall, No. 6 in the final AP top-25 poll, NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
Preseason 2025-26 ranking: No. 14 overall from CBS Sports
I'm always down with the 'Cuse playing the Crimson Tide, a terrific SEC program whose head coach is former Buffalo boss Nate Oats. The last time that Syracuse basketball faced Alabama was in the 2004 Sweet 16, where the Orange fell. The Crimson Tide's roster features several former 'Cuse recruits, including point guard Aden Holloway, Miami transfer guard Jalil Bethea and London Jemison, a 2025 four-star forward.
Auburn (Southeastern Conference)
Last season: 32-6 overall, No. 4 in the final AP top-25 poll, NCAA Tournament Final Four
Preseason 2025-26 ranking: No. 19 overall from CBS Sports
Similar to Alabama, its in-state rival, Auburn, is among the premier groups in the loaded SEC. In his tenure with the Tigers, head coach Bruce Pearl has guided Auburn to Final Four appearances in 2019 and 2025. One of the Tigers' key returnees, guard Tahaad Pettiford, received some level of interest from the Syracuse basketball staff while in high school. The Orange last played Auburn in November of 2021 at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, with the Tigers winning handily.