The Syracuse men’s basketball program has undergone multiple changes over the last few months. First, previous head coach Adrian Autry was fired in March, and Gerry McNamara was hired as the program’s third coach in the last 50 seasons.
McNamara, since taking over the program, has been consistent with locking in matchups with fellow New York Division I schools. The Orange have already previously confirmed matchups with UAlbany, Colgate and Canisius for the upcoming season. This week, the Orange confirmed two more games with New York schools, along with rumors of another date potentially being locked in as well.
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Syracuse confirms they will play an exhibition game against the Purple Eagles on Oct. 24 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. McNamara is familiar with McNamara through his two years at Siena, which is a conference rival of NU.
The Orange confirmed they will play against Cornell on Nov. 18 at the JMA Wireless Dome. This will be the 130th time that the schools have played against one another.
The rivalry between Syracuse and Colgate dates back 1901. Syracuse has won 44 consecutive matchups against the Big Bed. The Orange hold a 98-31 advantage in the all-time series and Cornell last defeated Syracuse in Dec. of 1968.
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Speaking of games against New York Schools…According to national reporter Jon Rothstein, the Orange and Red Storm will clash on Nov. 15. The school has yet to confirm the details. That game would be played at Madison Square Garden, something that McNamara was passionate about making happen.
The two new matchups now brings the 2026-27 schedule to double digit confirmations. Other confirmed games and dates include:
–The team’s first home regular season game will be against New Haven on Nov. 2.
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–The Orange will also play Central Connecticut State later that week, at home, on Nov. 5.
–A game inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis against Indiana on Nov. 9.
–The UAlbany matchup is set for Nov. 25 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
–As a part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, the Orange will take on Oklahoma on Dec 1.
–Syracuse will host Colgate on Dec. 8
–Syracuse will play against Canisius on Dec. 16 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
–In a revival of an old BIG EAST matchup, the Orange will play Providence in Boston at the TD Garden on Dec. 19.
All conference games dates and times have yet to be confirmed.
**The St. John’s matchup is reportedly Nov. 15.
Syracuse is coming off a 15-17 season and has missed the NCAA Tournament for five straight years.
