Syracuse Basketball’s Non-Conference Schedule Taking Shape
We are still 137 days away from the Orange’s 2017-18 season-opener, but who’s counting. Some of the team’s non-conference matchups are set, so let’s get you caught up.
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Cornell:
SU will square-off against Cornell for the 123rd in the program’s history, but this year’s meeting will contain some additional intrigue. Coach Jim Boeheim’s son, Jimmy Boeheim, will suit up against his dad for the first time as a member of the Big Red. The Orange took last year’s matchup 80-56, as four players registered double-digit points on the night.
Friday/Saturday, Nov. 10/11 vs. Texas Southern:
Next up, it’s the Tigers of Texas Southern, who will be SU’s first opponent in the Hoophall Miami Invitational. The two teams last faced each other back in December of 2015, when the Orange managed an 80-67 victory, to grab its tenth win of the season.
Monday, Nov. 20 vs. Oakland:
Oakland makes the journey to the Carrier Dome for the first time since freshman Brandon Triche dominated the Golden Grizzlies on December 22, 2009, scoring a career-high 27 points. Oakland is looking to build off a successful 25-9 season from a year ago.
Wednesday, Nov. 22 vs. Toledo:
The Orange will host Toledo just two nights later. You have to go back to 1990 and the playing days of Adrian Autry Sr. to find the last time these two teams met. The Rockets drew an even .500 record of 17-17 last season.
Monday, Nov. 27 vs. Maryland:
After a loss in last year’s Big Ten/ACC Challenge to Wisconsin, the Orange will face Maryland in this year’s installment. The Terps reached their third-consecutive NCAA Tournament last season, but the Orange holds a three-game winning streak in the series, dating back to NCAA Tournament Second Round in 2004.
Saturday, Dec. 2 vs. Kansas:
The Hoophall Miami Invitational will conclude with the Orange and the Jayhawks playing a neutral-site game at American Airlines Arena in Miami. Kansas marched all the way to last year’s Elite Eight, before being ousted by Oregon. This year’s team could be equally as dangerous, already ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for the 2017-18 season.
Tuesday, Dec. 5 vs. Connecticut:
Syracuse will play UConn for the second-straight year in Madison Square Garden, this season, as part of the Jimmy V Classic. The Huskies slipped past the Orange in 2016 after sinking a pair of free throws with just two seconds remaining in regulation.
Tuesday Dec. 19 vs. Buffalo:
The Orange and the Bulls played a total of 17 contests between 1961-1978, but have seen each other just three times since. Buffalo slipped to 17-15 last season, after winning the MAC Championship the year prior.
Wednesday, Dec. 27 vs. Eastern Michigan:
Former Syracuse assistant Rob Murphy and the Eagles will make a trip to the Salt City in back-to-back years. The Orange dominated last year’s matchup, winning 105-57.
