Syracuse basketball is a sizable betting favorite as the Orange opens its 2025-26 season on Monday night at home against Binghamton out of the America East Conference. Here's how to watch this non-conference affair.
At the time of this writing, FanDuel had the 'Cuse as a 21.5-point betting favorite over the Bearcats. The over/under is currently set at 153.5 points. In their all-time series together, Syracuse basketball is 5-0 against fellow Empire State team Binghamton.
The Orange is looking to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. The 'Cuse went a woeful 14-19 in 2024-25, its worst record in decades, although its two best players missed time due to injuries. The Bearcats, meanwhile, were 15-17 overall last season.
What to watch for as Syracuse basketball begins its 2025-26 season.
First things first. Let's see how healthy the 'Cuse roster can remain this term. Injuries are a part of sports, but for the Orange to hear its name called on Selection Sunday come March of 2026, its key players have to avoid serious injuries.
Beyond that, the main thing I'm honing in on is how Syracuse basketball fares on the defensive end. The Orange was awful on defense in 2024-25. The 'Cuse staff, via the transfer portal, brought in some prospects who are expected to be more athletic than last year's roster, but we'll have to see if that's truly the case or not.
As Syracuse basketball begins its 2025-26 campaign on Monday evening, other things to monitor:
•How does the Orange fare in the turnover department? That was an issue last season.
•If the team is struggling with its perimeter shooting, how is the 'Cuse scoring its points? Driving to the basket, finishing around the rim through contact and scoring in transition following forced turnovers will be instrumental.
•To that end, Syracuse basketball needs to be proficient from the free-throw line, and I'm not overly convinced that will be the case in 2025-26.
•Rebounding is always a hot-button topic. How will Syracuse basketball perform on the offensive and defensive boards?
•Effort, energy and intensity. Syracuse basketball coaches are preaching those intangibles. Will that translate to the court?
•For the Orange to reach the NCAA Tournament, it must convincingly beat opponents that are further down in the NET rankings and other metrics. By extension, the 'Cuse has to spring some upsets and also, when it does lose, not get blown out. That has been problematic in recent seasons.
Syracuse basketball wasn't great in its two-game exhibition docket. Still, I'll go with the Orange to beat Binghamton by a final score of 83-68.