Nine days before the start of the 2020-21 season, the Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team has finally announced their season opener. The Orange will travel to Stony Brook on Sunday, Nov. 29 for a 2 p.m. ET match-up at Island Federal Arena.
This will be the third meeting in the last five seasons between the two teams, with the Orange winning each of those contests. The last match-up took place in the Carrier Dome back in 2017. The Seawolves forced the Orange into extra minutes, but ‘Cuse was able to lock in the overtime win, 81-70.
And in usual Coach Q fashion, the non-conference schedule is full of challenging opponents. Last season, the Seawolves set a program-best 28-3 record, including 22-straight wins. Stony Brook went on to win both the American East Conference regular season and postseason championships.
Earlier this week, the Orange announced they will face D-II Lincoln in their home opener on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The conference schedule is set to begin on Dec. 10 at Miami. Read here for the full ACC schedule.
In recent Syracuse basketball news, the Orange are ranked No. 21 in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll and No. 23 in the Preseason AP Top 25 Poll.
Starting the season ranked #21 in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll pic.twitter.com/fxNAlTP5EZ
— 'Cuse Hoops (@CuseWBB) November 19, 2020
The Orange continue to rack up preseason accolades, with Kiara Lewis and Tiana Mangakahia being named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List this week. The Naismith Trophy recognizes the National Player of the Year. Mangakahia was also named to the 2020-21 preseason ‘Wade Watch’ list, which recognizes the best player in college basketball.
Earlier this offseason, Mangakahia was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List for the best point guard in D1 basketball. Lewis was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List for the top Division I shooting guard. Finally, freshman Kamilla Cardoso is one of 20 on the Lisa Leslie Watch List for the nation’s top center.