2015-16 Syracuse basketball schedule: What we know so far

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Syracuse renews its rivalry with Georgetown this Saturday
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Syracuse renews its rivalry with Georgetown this season

While much has been made about the football team’s schedule – there has to be six wins in there somewhere, right? – the entire men’s basketball schedule has yet to be released. But, it is slowly starting to come together. Let’s take a peek at what awaits Boeheim’s other Army once Midnight Madness commences a mere seven weeks from now.

The Lehigh Mountain Hawks are this year’s sacrificial lamb to open the season at the Carrier Dome on Friday, Nov. 13. The Hawks were 16-14 overall and 10-8 in the Patriot League last year. Four days later, Syracuse welcomes St. Bonaventure to the Dome in a tussle between upstate New York teams.

After a warm-up with Elon (Nov. 21), the real fun begins when Syracuse travels to the Bahamas (tough work if you can get it) to participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Nov. 25. Charlotte is up first for the Orange. Syracuse’s second round opponent qualifies as a Grudge Match competitor no matter who wins between Michigan and UConn. In the Wolverines, SU has a chance to avenge the Final Four loss in 2012. Or, the Orange will take on long-time and former Big East rival Connecticut. Its third and final game of the tournament will be from a pool consisting of Texas, Texas A&M, Washington or Gonzaga. No matter how the tournament unfolds, Syracuse has a chance to earn some quality OOC wins.

With the arrival of December comes a home game against Wisconsin in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. Orange-colored cheese heads anyone?

» Related: Loss of Moustapha Diagne hurts Syracuse basketball’s depth

Even if SU doesn’t tangle with UConn in the Battle for Atlantis, it’s guaranteed two other games against former Big East Brethren although both of them are on the road. On Dec. 5, the Orange renews pleasantries with old nemesis Georgetown. Admit it; you forgot how much fun Hoya hating can be! Eight days later on Dec. 13 SU takes Manhattan in a match-up with St. John’s. SU hosts Colgate on Dec. 8 in between those two contests.

After Cornell (Dec. 19) and Montana State (Dec. 22) pay visits, conference play opens on Dec. 30 with a trip to Pitt for 40 minutes of hockey on hardwood aka Goon Ball. Hope SU packs the shoulder pads.

At this point, the only other games with dates are road contests at Duke on Jan. 18 (the only regular season meeting between the schools) and a Feb. 29 visit to the other end of Tobacco Road for a clash against North Carolina. Oh, and both games are Big Monday. Thanks, ESPN!

The rest of the ACC opponents break down as follows:

Home and away games involve Boston College, Pittsburgh, Florida State and North Carolina. Home games only see the likes of Georgia Tech, Clemson, NC State, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame come knocking while road games include trips to Miami, Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia and Louisville.

Lastly, thoughts and prayers go out to Dwayne “Pearl” Washington who underwent surgery yesterday for the recurrence of a brain tumor. Let’s hope Pearl’s recovery off the court is as smooth as he was on the court.

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About Steve Auger 165 Articles
Steve Auger is a freelance writer whose work has covered a variety of topics including sports, pets, parenting, healthy living, local government and human interest stories. Steve’s been a diehard Syracuse sports fan for over 25 years. To this day, the words “Smart takes the shot” still make him cringe. And according to Rutgers' fans, he's "not a take."