A new year usually comes with hope, no matter how the old one ended. As 2026 begins, Syracuse sports feels caught between turning the page and rereading what just happened. Some teams gave fans real reasons to believe, others left more questions than answers, and a few moments reminded everyone just how thin the line is between promise and disappointment.
The Good: Syracuse Women’s Basketball
The Orange sit at 11–2 and are off to their hottest start since the 2017 season. Under head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, Syracuse has significantly boosted its NCAA Tournament résumé with marquee nonconference wins over Utah at the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase and Auburn in the ACC/SEC Women’s Challenge.
Powered by a trio of scorers in Uche Izoje, Dominique Darius, and Laila Phelia, Syracuse has taken a noticeable step forward offensively after a disappointing campaign a season ago. The Orange have scored 70 or more points in 10 of their 13 games and currently lead the ACC with nearly 19 offensive rebounds per game.
Still, SU’s success has been driven primarily by its defense. A year removed from finishing second-worst in the ACC while surrendering 71 points per game, Syracuse has turned that weakness into a strength. The Orange now boast one of the conference’s top defensive units, allowing fewer than 60 points per game and ranking among the ACC leaders in steals and forced turnovers.
The Bad: Syracuse Men’s Basketball
It’s been another disappointing year for SU. Coming into the 2025 season, Head Coach Adrian Autry had one clear goal: To return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. This seemed reasonable, as following a disastrous 2024 campaign in which Syracuse finished 14–19, the Orange returned both leading scorers in Donnie Freeman and J.J. Starling. Additionally, SU added 5 star Freshmen Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony.
But after 4 straight blowout wins against mid-major opponents to start the season, that optimism faded quickly as Syracuse ran into tougher competition at The Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas. Without anchor Donnie Freeman for the trip out West, SU came up just short to then #2 Houston 78-74 in OT, and followed the crushing defeat with losses to Kansas and Iowa State. After falling to Clemson 64-61 on New Year’s Eve, the now 9-5 Orange holds just a small chance to dance in March.
The Needs Improvement: Syracuse Football
Despite finishing the 2025 season on an eight-game losing streak, Syracuse enters the offseason with measured optimism for next season following the expected return of quarterback Steve Angeli. With Angeli under center, the Orange opened the year 3–1, picking up wins over UConn, Colgate, and Clemson.
That momentum proved short-lived. Syracuse’s first-ever victory in Death Valley came at a significant cost, as Angeli—who led college football in passing yards at the time—suffered a season-ending torn Achilles. Without its offensive catalyst, SU struggled to sustain drives, protect the football, or consistently move the chains, a collapse reflected in the eight-game skid that followed.
Still, the early-season success offered a blueprint for what Syracuse can be when healthy. With the return of Angeli, Cuse must strengthen the offensive line and establish a strong defense.
