Syracuse basketball on Thursday afternoon announced a rescheduled non-conference game against Atlantic 10 Conference member Saint Joseph's, and it's less than ideal.
That's because the two teams were originally slated to go toe to toe in Las Vegas. Now, they will play at the JMA Wireless Dome on Thursday, Dec. 11, per a release shared with me by a Syracuse basketball spokesperson.
A neutral-site affair, frankly, is better for the Orange's potential post-season resume than a home encounter is, based on NCAA NET rankings and how the NCAA Tournament selection committee places results into different quadrants.
🚨 Schedule Update 🚨
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) September 25, 2025
Our game vs. Saint Joe's has been moved to the JMA Dome on Dec. 11https://t.co/9pGrPJlXBo pic.twitter.com/FF18In274d
Originally, the 'Cuse and the Hawks were to battle on Saturday, Nov. 22, in Las Vegas. However, about two weeks ago, Saint Joseph's announced that Steve Donahue would become the team's new head coach after former boss Billy Lange took a front-office role focused on player development with the NBA's New York Knicks.
With the head-coaching change, the Hawks were removed from the late November, NIL-driven event known as the Players Era Festival. Although the game between Syracuse basketball and Saint Joseph's wasn't part of this event per se, the contest was affiliated with, and being run by, organizers of the Players Era Festival, I was told earlier this month.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported via X on September 19 that an agreement was being worked on for the Orange to host Saint Joseph's at the Dome. At the Players Era Festival, the 'Cuse will receive at least $1 million in NIL payments and face Houston, Kansas and one other foe that is to be determined based on the results of the event.
Source: Syracuse and St. Joe’s are working to finalize an agreement to play this season at the JMA Wireless Dome.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 19, 2025
The two programs were initially slated to meet in November in Las Vegas as part of the Players Era Showcase, but the Hawks are no longer in the event.
The full Syracuse basketball non-conference schedule is below.
In the upcoming 2025-26 season, the Orange will play 13 non-conference games and 18 Atlantic Coast Conference contests. In the non-conference, Syracuse basketball will have nine home games, and the 'Cuse will suit up in four contests that are at neutral sites.
Monday, Nov. 3, Syracuse basketball versus Binghamton at the JMA Wireless Dome
Saturday, Nov. 8, Syracuse basketball versus Delaware State at the JMA Wireless Dome
Saturday, Nov. 15, Syracuse basketball versus Drexel in Philadelphia (Autumn Invitational)
Tuesday, Nov. 18, Syracuse basketball versus Monmouth at the JMA Wireless Dome
Monday, Nov. 24, Syracuse basketball versus Houston in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival)
Tuesday, Nov. 25, Syracuse basketball versus Kansas in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival)
Wednesday, Nov. 26, or Thursday, Nov. 27, Syracuse basketball versus opponent TBD in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival)
Tuesday, Dec. 2, Syracuse basketball versus Tennessee at the JMA Wireless Dome (ACC/SEC Challenge)
Thursday, Dec. 11, Syracuse basketball versus Saint Joseph's at the JMA Wireless Dome
Saturday, Dec. 13, Syracuse basketball versus Hofstra at the JMA Wireless Dome
Wednesday, Dec. 17, Syracuse basketball versus Mercyhurst at the JMA Wireless Dome
Saturday, Dec. 20, Syracuse basketball versus Northeastern at the JMA Wireless Dome
Monday, Dec. 22, Syracuse basketball versus Stonehill at the JMA Wireless Dome