Syracuse basketball's 2025-26 season is just over a month away, and the Orange is headed to Charlotte, N.C., next week for the Atlantic Coast Conference's annual Basketball Tipoff event.
The 2025 ACC Tipoff will take place at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown. The women's event is on Monday, Oct. 6, and Tuesday, Oct. 7. The men's side will occur on October 7 and then wrap up on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
According to a release, the ACC Network will provide extensive coverage of the ACC Tipoff on all three days from 9 am to 5 pm.
Participating for Syracuse women's basketball at the ACC Tipoff are head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, junior guard Sophie Burrows and graduate student guard Laila Phelia. For Syracuse men's basketball, along with head coach Adrian Autry, going to Charlotte are senior guard J.J. Starling and sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman.
Where is Syracuse basketball in the ACC's pecking order?
Following the ACC Tipoff, the league's preseason media poll will be revealed. That poll will show where media members think the Orange will finish in the 18-member conference in 2025-26.
A term ago, the 'Cuse was forecast at No. 11. Syracuse basketball would finish at 14-19 overall, its worst record in several decades. I'm just guessing here, but I could see the 'Cuse projected a tad higher in this season's ACC's preseason media poll. I'm thinking No. 8 to No. 10.
Why? Because on paper, the Orange has a more talented, complete and athletic roster. Then again, because the team has not been good in recent years, the preseason media poll could have some recency bias. In that regard, maybe Syracuse basketball is No. 12 to No. 14.
The preseason media poll also includes the player of the year, the rookie of the year, and the All-ACC first and second teams. Could the 'Cuse have some inclusions here? Maybe, but if I'm being honest, probably not.
Definitely not for player of the year. Likely not for rookie of the year. In terms of the preseason All-ACC first and second teams, maybe Starling, Freeman or point guard Naithan George, a junior who transferred to Syracuse basketball this past off-season from Georgia Tech.