Amidst Syracuse Football’s 4-0 start and gearing up for the biggest game of the season this weekend, the Men’s Basketball conference schedule dropped on Tuesday night.
Now that the 31-game slate is public, let’s have a look at the can’t miss matchups this year.
NOVEMBER 14: COLGATE
It’s unbelievable that this game has made the cut, let alone for a second consecutive season. There was so much talk about whether the Orange would bounce back from a 100-85 loss to the Raiders in November 2021. They did not. The only difference in November 2022 was that Colgate ended it quickly, as it jumped to a double-digit lead with seven minutes left in the first half and never looked back. All credit in the world to Matt Langel and the Raiders, they’re an exceptionally well-coached team that has executed its game plan to perfection twice. But SU has no business losing to Colgate once, let alone twice, let alone three times.
DECEMBER 9: AT GEORGETOWN
The rivalry doesn’t have the same heat it did when Syracuse was in the Big East and it probably never will, but whenever the two renew acquaintances you want to be watching. This year’s clash presents a unique angle as both sides have new head coaches. Adrian Autry takes over for Jim Boeheim on the Orange sidelines, while Ed Cooley moves down I-95 onto the Hoyas bench. SU won last season’s matchup in comfortable fashion, but it’s lost two straight in our nation’s capital. Additionally, in what is a very tough non-conference slate featuring three games in Hawaii, LSU, and Oregon in South Dakota (all honorable mentions by the way), you could chalk this game as must-win.
JANUARY 2: AT DUKE
Even if the games aren’t exactly what you would call competitive, it’s appointment television for Syracuse fans every time the opponent is Duke. Blue Devils big man Kyle Filipowski is back for another season, and he may very well be the preseason player of the year. Now, remember back to the hype going into last season’s matchup. It was a prime opportunity for SU to make a major statement in front of a jam-packed Dome crowd. Rest assured they made a statement, but it was an awful one. Duke poured in three-pointer after three-pointer en route to a 77-55 laugher. Unfortunately, that isn’t uncommon- the Blue Devils have won eight straight over the Orange, six of them have been by double digits, three have been by 20+. Hopefully this year’s clash is at least close, then the fantasies about a rivalry might be a little true.
FEBRUARY 10: CLEMSON
Brett Favre’s return to Green Bay. Kevin Durant’s return to Oklahoma City. Should we add Joe Girard’s return to Syracuse to the list? Chances are he will not get viciously booed the way those two professional athletes did, but this will probably among the highest-attended Dome games this season. The history between the Orange and Tigers is nothing special, but Girard was a starter for the better part of four years in Central New York, receiving mixed reactions throughout his time. Chances are that is what he’ll receive come February, but either way it should be fascinating to see how Girard is greeted.
FEBRUARY 13: NORTH CAROLINA
Since Duke will not be trekking up to Central New York this year, the Tar Heels are easily the most marquee opponent visiting the JMA Wireless Dome this season. UNC is coming off a very disappointing campaign. After making the 2022 National Championship Game (ending Coach K’s career in the process), North Carolina entered last season ranked number 1, only to fail to even make the NIT. Last season’s matchup between the two was also, let’s call it interesting. Up 1 late, old friend Mr. Girard dove for a ball that was sailing out of bounds. The only problem was, he threw it right to Tar Heel forward Pete Nance, sealing a loss for the Orange. How on Earth do you follow that up?
If you disagree with these five games, it’d be hard to blame you. It’s a stacked slate, both in and out of ACC play. Stay tuned to the Fizz as hoops season draws nearer, but in the meantime enjoy Syracuse vs. Clemson on Saturday.
