In just over a month, Syracuse basketball will play its first official game of the 2025-26 season.
Crazy, right?
I have to admit that I've been more than slightly consumed by Syracuse football of late, but it's time to also get more into some hoops. The Orange hopes to rebound from a rough 14-19 campaign in 2024-25.
The 'Cuse, from my perspective, has its most complete roster in several years, as the program looks to make a return to March Madness after missing the NCAA Tournament the past four campaigns in a row.
Syracuse basketball's top two players from 2024-25 are back, the Orange landed a promising six -member transfer class, and the team's five-member 2025 cycle at the high school level is in the top 20 nationally and features a trio of four-star prospects.
For Syracuse basketball to hear its name called on Selection Sunday, the team will have to fare well in the non-conference. In 2025-26, the Orange will play 13 non-conference games and 18 Atlantic Coast Conference contests.
Projecting Syracuse basketball's non-conference record in the upcoming term.
Monday, Nov. 3, Syracuse basketball versus Binghamton at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Saturday, Nov. 8, Syracuse basketball versus Delaware State at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Saturday, Nov. 15, Syracuse basketball versus Drexel in Philadelphia (Autumn Invitational)
Projected outcome: Win
Tuesday, Nov. 18, Syracuse basketball versus Monmouth at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Monday, Nov. 24, Syracuse basketball versus Houston in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival)
Projected outcome: Loss
Tuesday, Nov. 25, Syracuse basketball versus Kansas in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival)
Projected outcome: Loss
Wednesday, Nov. 26, or Thursday, Nov. 27, Syracuse basketball versus opponent TBD in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival)
Projected outcome: Win (the foe is TBD, but I don't think the Orange will go winless in Las Vegas)
Tuesday, Dec. 2, Syracuse basketball versus Tennessee at the JMA Wireless Dome (ACC/SEC Challenge)
Projected outcome: Win
Thursday, Dec. 11, Syracuse basketball versus Saint Joseph's at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Saturday, Dec. 13, Syracuse basketball versus Hofstra at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Wednesday, Dec. 17, Syracuse basketball versus Mercyhurst at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Saturday, Dec. 20, Syracuse basketball versus Northeastern at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Monday, Dec. 22, Syracuse basketball versus Stonehill at the JMA Wireless Dome
Projected outcome: Win
Projected non-conference record for the 'Cuse: 11-2
I could be overly optimistic with this projection, but candidly, I don't see the Orange being any worse than 9-4. That would mean a loss to Tennessee at home and a third loss in Las Vegas. Otherwise, I think Syracuse sweeps the other nine games.