The optimism around the Syracuse men's basketball program under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara is real, as CBS Sports's Jon Rothstein just predicted the Orange to finish in the top eight of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2026-27.
That would be a major improvement after the Orange went 15-17 last season and were the No. 14 seed in the league tournament in 2025-26.
McNamara is taking over for former head coach Adrian Autry, who was fired after three seasons. Syracuse hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament in five years.
The schedule for McNamara's first season is nearly complete, with Mike Waters of Syracuse.com reporting on Monday that the Orange are playing Cornell at the JMA Wireless Dome on Nov. 18.
What we know about the schedule at this point
–The Orange will open up the season on Nov. 2, at home, against New Haven.
–Later that week, SU will host Central Connecticut State (Nov. 5).
–The Orange will go to Indianapolis to take on Indiana on Nov. 9.
–Syracuse will play host to Cornell on Nov. 18.
–Syracuse will host Lafayette on Nov. 21.
–SU will travel to Oklahoma on Dec. 1 as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.
–The Orange return home on Dec. 8 to take on Colgate.
–They'll then play Mercyhurst on Dec 12. and Canisius on Dec. 16, both at home.
–The group will play Providence, in Boston, on Dec. 19.
–Binghamton comes to town on Dec. 22, right before the Christmas holiday.
What else is remaining for this schedule?
As noted by Waters, we are waiting for game dates of three non-conference games: Albany, St. John's and Rutgers.
The Albany game will be played at the JMA Wireless Dome while Rutgers will take place at the Barclays Center and St. John's will happen at Madison Square Garden.
Furthermore, while we know the home and road opponents for ACC play, we do not know dates, times or sequencing yet.
Thing to think about
Last year, ACC play began on Dec. 31, so it's fair to assume it will be around the same time again. As a result, it's likely that the Binghamton game on Dec. 22 is the last non-conference game of the season.
That means the other three games we are waiting for have to be scheduled before that point. There appear to be a gap between the Nov. 9 and 18 game, as well as between No. 21 and Dec. 1, though the Thanksgiving holiday falls in that time.
