Last week, Syracuse basketball played two teams from across the country, both at home. The Orange went 2-0, and both affairs were highly entertaining.
This week, the 'Cuse has one road game and one home encounter. Both of SU's foes are blue-blood programs and from the state of North Carolina. Let's see how Syracuse basketball fares in what will be a pair of quadrant-one opportunities for the Orange, which is far removed from the bubble for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
That being said, if somehow, someway - and I'm not saying this is going to happen - the 'Cuse went 2-0 again this week, then perhaps the conversation regarding SU's potential post-season chances will shift to slightly more optimistic.
This past Wednesday night, Syracuse basketball gutted out a seven-point triumph over California in double overtime. The 'Cuse followed that up with a thrilling one-point conquest against SMU last Saturday afternoon, as SU scored the game-winner with just over two seconds remaining.
Coming up, Syracuse basketball has two daunting games.
On Monday night, the 'Cuse (15-11 overall, 6-7 in ACC) will travel to No. 4 Duke, which is the Atlantic Coast Conference's premier squad so far in the 2025-26 season and is a significant Final Four contender.
The Blue Devils, No. 2 in the NCAA NET rankings, have beaten Syracuse basketball on 10 straight occasions. While the Orange faces an uphill climb to stun Duke in Durham, N.C., over the years, SU has won twice at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Just saying.
On Saturday afternoon, Syracuse basketball will welcome No. 11 North Carolina to the JMA Wireless Dome. The Tar Heels are No. 25 in the NET. Earlier this month, in Chapel Hill, the Orange stormed back from a 32-point deficit in the second half, but UNC prevailed, 87-77.
The 'Cuse is a mere 3-6 in its all-time series with North Carolina at home, yet the Orange shocked a top-10 Tar Heels group on the Hill in February of 2024. So you never know.
One thing to note. North Carolina star freshman big man Caleb Wilson, who is a projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is out indefinitely with a fractured left hand. I don't see him playing against Syracuse basketball this coming Saturday, although I'm sending a lot of love and positive vibes to Caleb.
It's most likely that the Orange will go 0-2 this week. But SU showed a lot of heart and toughness in defeating Cal and SMU last week. Perhaps that will give Syracuse basketball players a bit of juice as they prepare for two blue-blood foes.