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Though we already know most of the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball schedule for 2020-21, the announcement on Tuesday only included the team’s 20 ACC games. That still leaves a handful of non-conference games still out there. On Wednesday, we learned more details about one of them.
Syracuse will host the Buffalo Bulls on Dec. 19, per a release from the school. The teams last met just a couple years ago in 2018, when UB pulled off a 12-point win in the Dome. Before that Orange loss, ‘Cuse had won 18 straight in the series. Syracuse has a 28-6 advantage all-time.
So that makes at least two non-conference games confirmed, along with the ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup at Rutgers on Dec. 8. Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that Syracuse would host Bryant on Nov. 27, though that game is not currently included on the official schedule on Cuse.com.
Back in September, we thought through what a non-conference “bubble” could look like for the Orange this season. And while they may not be doing exactly that, you can assume that most of the other opponents will be coming from New York state given travel restrictions related to COVID-19. Our original list included Buffalo, St. Bonaventure, Colgate, Cornell and St. John’s. Since then, we’ve learned that Colgate won’t play this winter, and we still don’t know anything about the Ivy League’s plans to play.
Another spot for Syracuse also appears to be accounted for by nearby Binghamton. There’s no date attached yet, but the fact was noted in this Syracuse.com story from Donna Ditota after she spoke with Bearcats coach Tommy Dempsey.
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So what does the schedule look like right now?
Dec. 8: at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Dec. 12: at Boston College Eagles
Dec. 19: Buffalo Bulls
Dec. 22: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Dec. 29/30: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Jan. 2: at North Carolina Tar Heels
Jan. 5/6: Florida State Seminoles
Jan. 12/13: Clemson Tigers
Jan. 16: at Pittsburgh Panthers
Jan. 19/20: Miami Hurricanes
Jan. 23: Virginia Tech Hokies
Jan. 25: at Virginia Cavaliers
Jan. 31: N.C. State Wolfpack
Feb. 2/3: Louisville Cardinals
Feb. 6: at Clemson Tigers
Feb. 9/10: at N.C. State Wolfpack
Feb. 13: Pittsburgh Panthers
Feb. 16/17: at Louisville Cardinals
Feb. 20: Boston College Eagles
Feb. 22: at Duke Blue Devils
Feb. 27: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Mar. 1: North Carolina Tar Heels
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Bryant’s still TBD, but if they were still an option, that Nov. 27 will still work. Binghamton could fit in before the league schedule begins as well, or in between the BC and Buffalo games.
Any preference on the last few teams added to this schedule? Happy to play UB again? Share your own scheduling thoughts below.