Syracuse basketball is expected to face a handful of ranked teams in the upcoming 2026-27 campaign, the first season under new head coach Gerry McNamara.
McNamara and his staff are tasked with turning around a 'Cuse program that has put forth two straight losing terms and hasn't made the annual Big Dance since 2021. In 2026-27, the Orange has an intriguing schedule, highlighted by some exciting non-conference contests and several enticing Atlantic Coast Conference affairs at home.
This coming season, the 'Cuse will play 14 non-conference games and 18 league contests. The entire non-conference docket has yet to be publicly announced, although Syracuse basketball is expected to play games against Indiana, Oklahoma, Providence, Rutgers and St. John's. Fun.
We still have a way to go before the start of the 2026-27 campaign, however, prognostications from national observers give us a sense of which SU opponents might be ranked, whether in preseason polls or throughout the regular season.
Which Syracuse basketball foes might be ranked in preseason top-25 polls ahead of 2026-27?
Duke
SU faces the Blue Devils at home. ESPN, CBS Sports and college basketball insider Jon Rothstein all have Duke at No. 2 in their preseason rankings.
Virginia
The Orange will host the Cavaliers at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Cavaliers are No. 9 via Rothstein, No. 10 at CBS Sports and No. 14, per ESPN. Former SU head coach Adrian Autry is now an assistant at UVA.
Louisville
The Cardinals will come to the Hill in 2026-27. At ESPN, Louisville is No. 13, followed by No. 14 at CBS Sports and No. 17 from Rothstein.
North Carolina
The Tar Heels will play at Syracuse basketball in the upcoming stanza. ESPN places UNC at No. 25, and Rothstein has the Tar Heels at No. 29 in his top 45.
Miami
The Hurricanes, which will host the Orange, are No. 18 from ESPN, No. 19 per Rothstein and No. 21 over at CBS Sports.
Indiana
Syracuse basketball will play the Hoosiers in Indianapolis. Indiana is No. 22 at CBS Sports, in the "next five" per ESPN and No. 28, according to Rothstein.
St. John's
The Red Storm and the 'Cuse will reportedly suit up at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Unfortunately, St. John's will be without former SU big man Donnie Freeman, who will miss all of 2026-27 due to an injury. ESPN has the Red Storm at No. 8, followed by Rothstein at No. 13 and CBS Sports at No. 17.
Rothstein, in his latest preseason rankings, has Syracuse basketball at No. 43 overall. The Orange isn't in preseason ratings from CBS Sports or ESPN.
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