Syracuse Basketball: How To Pick Your 'Pick Six Pack' Tickets

Basketball is near! So while the Syracuse football team continues to struggle, die-hard fans now have a chance to spend their money on their beloved Orange in another way.

Syracuse Athletics announced on Wednesday that men's basketball individual game and ticket packages are now available for purchase online, at Destiny USA, the Carrier Dome box office and by calling 1-800-DOMETIX. Here is a look at your options.

Exhibition Games: If you want to see the Orange while they all look like confused kids trying to find their classroom on the first day of school, you can buy tickets to one, or both if you please, of their exhibition games. Tickets start at $10 for adults, $5 for kids and students

Regular Games: If you like being regular, you can buy tickets to any non-conference game (excluding St. John's) starting at $25 for adults and $15 for youth under the age of 12.

Premium Games: This would include six of the nine conference games at the Dome along with the St. John's game. These start at $40 for adults and $20 for the kids.

Super Premium Games: If you are feeling "super premium" this year, you can pay a steeper price to see both Rick Pitino and Jamie Dixon's slicked back hair in the Loudhouse. $45 for adults, $25 for the kiddies to see the Orange against rivals Louisville and Pittsburgh.

Duke: So special that they get their own section. No prices listed yet, as they will go on sale on November 11th. Maybe this means they will move the court to the middle of the Dome this time??? At least we can dream that they will.

Top's Single Game Packs: For some family fun, fans who choose this option get two adult tickets, two youth, $5 towards concession and a South Manley parking pass. $35 for exhibition, $55 for a regular game, $95 for premium and $115 for super premium.

After all of those, there are three ticket packages offered. The "Classic Pack" will include games against three former Big East opponents, Boston College, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech. $110 per person.

The "Three Point Pack", also valued at $110, includes Miami, Florida State and defending ACC champions Virginia.

The last, and my personal favorite, is the "Pick Six Pack" where fans get the choice of six games (1 super premium, 2 premium and three regular games), for just $175. The only downside of this package would be the fact that it doesn't include the Duke game, but nonetheless it is a pretty good deal. If you are looking for some advice, here is a look at who I would choose if I were to get this package:

Louisville (Super Premium): It is hard to pick between Louisville and Pittsburgh for the super ticket, and although I think the Syracuse/Pittsburgh rivalry could be the biggest the Orange have had in the past 10 or so years, Louisville's return to the Dome should be a treat. Boeheim vs. Pitino. Teacher with one national title vs. student with two. These two teams have had some great games in the 2000s as Big East rivals, including three in their conference finale. Now back in the same conference, with Louisville sitting at ninth in the preseason USA Today Coaches' Poll, I think this will prove to be the more enticing matchup.

St. John's and Virginia (premium): Outside of Florida State, the rest of the team's will be ACC basement dwellers. Virginia, ranked 8th in the coaches' poll, is the defending conference champion that beat the Orange on their home court the first time they met as conference foes. This is not only a game with high-skill, but also one of revenge for the Orange, making for what should be a fun outing. St. John's is my other choice because there is not much better than some good old-fashioned Big East basketball.

Cornell, Long Beach State and Louisiana Tech (regular): With the Orange's best non-conference game outside of the 2K Classic at Villanova and the St. John's game not being part of this group, this is what make the package not so great, but these three teams aren't too bad. Cornell is our friendly rival just an hour away and Trevor Cooney made nine three against them last year, so maybe there will be more fireworks this year. Long Beach State, a veteran team with nine seniors, went 10-6 last season in the Big West, good enough for third in their conference. Louisiana Tech went 13-3 in the Conference USA and almost made it to the NCAA tournament. One of these games could be a surprise close call for the Orange.

There is your in-depth look at ticket purchasing for the 2014-15 Syracuse Orange basketball season. Choose wisely, my friends.