Syracuse basketball looks to get a two-game sweep of its exhibition docket when the Orange hosts Division II Pace on Wednesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Wednesday's game is expected to tip off at 7 pm. You can watch it on the ACC Network Extra, per a 'Cuse spokesperson. Pace, which is based in Pleasantville, N.Y., plays in the Northeast 10 Conference. In the 2024-25 campaign, the Setters went 24-8 overall and 14-6 in conference play.
The Orange and Pace met a few years ago on the Hill in an exhibition. Syracuse basketball, in October of 2021, knocked off the Setters at the Dome, 79-60.
This past Saturday evening, the 'Cuse defeated Mid-American Conference ("MAC") school Buffalo, 76-66, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. Syracuse basketball led throughout, although the Bulls hung around and made things interesting in the contest's final minutes.
After the Orange's home exhibition versus Pace, the 'Cuse will officially start its 2025-26 season on Monday, Nov. 3, against fellow Empire State foe Binghamton at the Dome. Syracuse basketball went 14-19 overall in 2024-25, its worst record in decades, and the Orange is trying to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.
What to watch for in Syracuse basketball's exhibition against Pace.
Freshman forward Sadiq White Jr. didn't play against Buffalo due to an upper-body injury. Let's see if he suits up versus Pace. He's one of three four-star prospects in the Orange's 2025 class at the high school level.
One key area for the 'Cuse in the upcoming term will be how Syracuse basketball shoots from the field, especially from the perimeter. The Orange made 40.9 percent from downtown in its first exhibition, and if the team can shoot somewhere even close to that in 2025-26, it will be huge for Syracuse basketball.
The Orange's two returnees from last season, senior shooting guard J.J. Starling and sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman, went a combined 6-of-19 against Buffalo. Syracuse basketball will need them to fare better from the field in the upcoming campaign.
Three other facets to keep tabs on in this second exhibition, and as the 2025-26 season gets officially underway: One is rebounding. The 'Cuse had 12 offensive boards versus Buffalo. Crashing the offensive glass is critical for Syracuse basketball in 2025-26.
Equally as important is the turnover department. The Orange committed 17 turnovers in its first exhibition. The 'Cuse must take better care of the ball. To that end, if and when Syracuse basketball does commit a sizable number of turnovers, it has to contain opponents' transition points as much as possible.
For example, last Saturday, Buffalo had 12 steals and 16 points off Orange turnovers, but the Bulls only managed three fast-break points. Syracuse basketball struggled some with its transition defense in 2024-25, so this is something to monitor this season.