Merry Christmas and happy holidays, Syracuse Orange sports family! I hope this is a beautiful time for you and your loved ones. I want to say thank you so much for your support over the years as I have served as a writer for, and then the editor of, Inside The Loud House. It's a gift. Truly.
Seeing that it's the holiday season, let's unwrap some presents together. To that end, here is my holiday wish list for Syracuse Orange sports teams as we turn the calendar from 2025 to 2026 in a week.
Here's what I'm hoping for as it pertains to SU sports in 2026.
Dancing for both basketball teams in March
Syracuse women's basketball is off to a fast start at 11-1 overall. The men's team wrapped up its non-conference schedule at 9-4. I'm hoping that both programs fare well in Atlantic Coast Conference play and hear their names called on Selection Sunday in the spring.
The Regy Thorpe era starts strong
Regy Thorpe was an All-American and helped Syracuse men's lacrosse win a national title back in the day. He has returned to the Hill to serve as the head coach of Syracuse women's lacrosse, and I'm wishing him a terrific 2026 season. The Orange faces a daunting schedule in the upcoming campaign.
Syracuse men's lax wins a chip
The Orange, led by head coach and SU legend Gary Gait, reached the Final Four a season ago for the first time since 2013. Now it's time for Syracuse men's lacrosse to break through and get a national title for the first occasion dating back to 2009. Here is the team's schedule for the 2026 term.
Loads of success for all SU Olympic sports
For every Syracuse Orange sports team beyond basketball, lacrosse and football, I'm wishing them nothing but a ton of success in the coming year!
Bounce-back season for Syracuse football
Yes, the Orange struggled in 2025, going 3-9 overall. But the future is still bright for Syracuse football. The 'Cuse has some fabulous new hires among the assistant coaching staff. The team has its highest-ranked prep class, in 2026, within the modern recruiting services era. Next season's schedule looks more manageable. Let's get another 10-win campaign in 2026.
Tons of portal success
The transfer portal will be open from January 2 to January 16. I'm hopeful that Syracuse football coaches will crush things in the portal, landing top-notch quarterbacks, running backs, offensive and defensive linemen, defensive backs, etc.
Good health for key players
Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, but I'm praying that Syracuse basketball sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman and Syracuse football redshirt junior quarterback Steve Angeli will return to 100 percent health. Freeman has only played in four games this season due to a lower-body injury, but he's expected to come back when the Orange hosts Clemson on New Year's Day. Angeli, who was leading the country in total passing yards in 2025, suffered a torn Achilles tendon when the 'Cuse won at Clemson this past September.
Team success to improve attendance and quiet the negativity
Syracuse basketball hasn't played in the NCAA Tournament since 2021. The Orange, at 14-19 last year, put forth its worst record in decades. The fire head coach Adrian Autry talk is there among some fans, and I get it. I'm wishing that the Orange plays well in ACC competition, there is no bubble conversation, the 'Cuse gets into the NCAA Tournament with relative ease, and the narrative of Autry and his staff being fired goes away. Oh, and it would be nice if the Orange's attendance would improve.
Basketball teams land prized recruits
On February 8, 2027 five-star point guard Kaleena Smith, the nation's No. 1 prospect in the high school junior class, will take an official visit to Syracuse women's basketball. Five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., the country's No. 2 overall player in the 2026 cycle, has unofficially visited 'Cuse twice and has Syracuse men's basketball in his final six. I'm wishing that the Orange programs pull of miracles and land these two elite prospects.
Syracuse men's basketball brings everyone back who is eligible
Here's what I'm hoping the Orange's roster consists of in the 2026-27 season. I know, I'm dreaming lol.
Naithan George, junior point guard
Nate Kingz, redshirt senior small forward (gets another season of eligibility)
Donnie Freeman, sophomore power forward
Tyler Betsey, sophomore forward
Sadiq White Jr., freshman forward
Kiyan Anthony, freshman guard/wing
Ibrahim Souare, redshirt sophomore power forward/center
Luke Fennell, freshman combo guard
Aaron Womack, freshman guard/wing
Tiefing Diawara, freshman center
Jordan Smith Jr., 2026 five-star shooting guard
Clyde Walters, 2027 four-star wing/small forward (re-class candidate to 2026 cycle)
Calvin Russell lll, 2026 five-star wide receiver who is signed with Syracuse football and who may play for Syracuse basketball