Syracuse's Big East Schedule Less Gauntlet-y Than Last Year's

You remember last year's Big East schedule and a certain stretch month-long stretch that struck fear into our hearts...The Gauntlet.   It was enough to bring even the most hardened man to tears.  We will remember it always for temporarily bruising our egos but ultimately preparing us for SIXOVERTIMES.COM.

The 2009 - 2010 Big East basketball schedule was released today.  Though it does feature some strong match-ups, there's a bit more balance involved this year, thank the lord.  I've posted the dates below along with the aforementioned OOC schedule to give you an idea of what we're looking at so far, as well as where you'll be able to watch most of the games. (H/T to Mike Waters)

Monday, Nov. 9 -- Albany (ESPNU)
Wednesday, Nov. 11 -- Robert Morris (ESPNU)
Thursday, Nov. 19 -- vs. Cal (MSG, ESPN2)
Friday, Nov. 20 -- North Carolina or Ohio State (MSG, ESPN2)
Tuesday, Nov. 24 -- Cornell
Friday, Nov. 27 -- Columbia
Monday, Nov. 30 -- Colgate

Saturday, Dec. 5 -- Maine
Thursday, Dec. 10 -- Florida (Tampa, ESPN)
Sunday, Dec. 13 -- St. Francis (N.Y.)
Saturday, Dec. 19 -- St. Bonaventure
Tuesday, Dec. 22 -- Oakland
Tue., Dec. 29 -- at Seton Hall

Sat., Jan. 2 -- vs. Pittsburgh
Wed., Jan. 6 -- vs. Memphis
Sun., Jan. 10 -- vs. South Florida
Wed., Jan. 13 -- at Rutgers
Sat., Jan. 16 -- at West Virginia (ESPN)
Mon., Jan. 18 -- at Notre Dame (ESPN)
Sat., Jan. 23 -- vs. Marquette
Mon., Jan. 25 -- vs. Georgetown (ESPN)
Sat., Jan. 30 -- at DePaul

Tue., Feb. 2 -- vs. Providence
Sun., Feb. 7 -- at Cincinnati
Wed., Feb 10 -- vs. Connecticut (ESPN)
Sun., Feb. 14 -- vs. Louisville (ESPN)
Thur., Feb. 18 -- at Georgetown (ESPN/ESPN2)
Tue., Feb 23 -- at Providence
Sat., Feb. 27 -- vs. Villanova (ESPN)

Tue., March 2 -- vs. St. John's
Sat., March 6 -- at Louisville (ESPN)

Some thoughts after the jump...

After a trip to Seton Hall, the Orange have three straight home games.  Good thing considering two of them are against Pitt and Memphis.

The toughest stretch of the season, February 10th - February 27th.  The Orange will host UConn, host Louisville, @ Georgetown, @ Providence and host Villanova.  Expect SU's Big East Tournament seeding to be made or broken here.

That UConn game will be the first time the two teams have faced off since, well...you know.  Bring some signs.

January 25th.  Georgetown.  In the House.  Circle it.  Now.

My apropos of nothing shot-in-the-dark Big East record guess...10-8.  But we'll see how much better that might look as we get closer.

More details on the full Big East schedule here, noting that 44 BIG EAST games will be on ESPN or ESPN2.  SU's got a decent chunk of that exposure.  Down year or not, the Big East knows where it's TV bread is buttered.