Under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara, Syracuse basketball is putting together a non-conference slate for the upcoming season that should be both challenging for the team and appealing for the SU fan base.
With Division I programs able to play 32 regular-season games in the 2026-27 campaign, that means the Orange will have 14 non-conference encounters, along with its 18 Atlantic Coast Conference contests.
The 'Cuse has yet to officially announce its full non-conference schedule, but we do know of some games that Syracuse basketball is expected to play. Earlier this week, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported that SU and former long-time Big East Conference rival St. John's, led by former Orange assistant Rick Pitino, are finalizing an agreement to battle this coming season at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
That's a terrific match-up for the Orange, as I outlined in this article on Tuesday. But there's more to discuss. Let's have at it.
Dissecting Syracuse basketball's non-conference calendar for 2026-27.
Per Rothstein, the 'Cuse will also face another Big East school, Providence, at the TD Garden in Boston. The Friars' new head coach is former South Florida boss Bryan Hodgson, who was rumored as a possible candidate to be SU's next head coach.
Also, according to Rothstein, Syracuse basketball is expected to face Big Ten Conference member Indiana at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Orange will likely have a game in the annual ACC/SEC Challenge.
Source: Syracuse will host Albany as part of its 2026-27 non-conference schedule.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 30, 2026
Per Syracuse.com, SU is expected to have one more affair against a power-conference opponent. Rothstein has reported that Syracuse basketball will play fellow Empire State foe Albany at the JMA Wireless Dome.
McNamara has said that he wants to see Central New York neighbors Colgate and Cornell return to the Orange's schedule, and Syracuse.com has reported that the 'Cuse will square off against those two teams.
While we're still waiting on details about additional non-conference games, I like this schedule for SU. For one, Syracuse basketball will play several opponents at neutral sites that are expected to contend for NCAA Tournament bids, and that's good for SU's NCAA NET ranking, assuming the Orange is competitive.
Also, Syracuse basketball playing quality programs is important, but I am happy that these non-conference contests are spaced out. For example, last year, the 'Cuse played three tough foes in three days at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
I'd prefer that SU face teams in recruiting hotbeds such as New York City, Boston and other markets, rather than go to Las Vegas, where legions of fans are less likely to travel. As I have reported, Syracuse basketball will not compete in this season's Players Era Festival, but the Orange could return to that NIL-driven event in the future.
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