Syracuse basketball has a rematch with SMU from last month in the 2026 ACC Tournament's first round on Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C. The Orange (15-16 overall, 6-12 in ACC) is the event's No. 14 seed, while the Mustangs (19-12 overall, 8-10 in ACC) are the No. 11 seed.
The 'Cuse has struggled in the ACC Tournament since moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference from the Big East Conference during the 2013-14 campaign. SU has never won more than one game in the ACC Tournament, and the Orange will need to cut down the nets at the Spectrum Center to land an invite to the annual Big Dance for the first time since 2021.
Both teams enter Tuesday's clash mired in an extended setback streak. The 'Cuse has lost five straight, while SMU has dropped four in a row. The Mustangs are squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
How to watch Syracuse basketball against SMU in the ACC Tournament's first round.
The Orange and the Mustangs are scheduled to tip off at 4:30 pm EST on Tuesday, March 10, with television coverage on the ACC Network. On February 14, at home, Syracuse basketball snuck by SMU, 79-78, on a late score, although the Mustangs lead their short all-time series together, 2-1.
At the time of this writing, the 'Cuse had an NCAA NET ranking of No. 83. SMU's NET was No. 39, making this a quadrant-one affair for Syracuse basketball at a neutral site. Over at the Bracket Matrix, the Mustangs are forecast as a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Candidly, SMU has to win Tuesday's game to remain on the right side of the bubble.
The Mustangs are a high-scoring group, averaging 85.0 points per game while allowing 78.4 points. SMU also averages 37.6 rebounds, 17.1 assists, 7.1 steals, 3.7 blocks and 11.4 turnovers per encounter while making 49.3 percent from the field, 74.2 percent from the free-throw line and 37.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Syracuse basketball, meanwhile, scores 75.2 points per contest and gives up 73.9 points. The Orange averages 34.2 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 6.2 steals, 6.0 blocks and 11.0 turnovers per game while connecting on 46.6 percent from the field, 64.9 percent from the charity stripe and 33.2 percent from downtown.
SMU's prolific offense, which is No. 20 nationally in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency, will thoroughly test Syracuse basketball's sub-par defense on Tuesday in Charlotte.