Syracuse men's basketball: the 'science' behind how the Orange are building their 2025-26 schedule

Yahoo

5 hours ago

As the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team slowly reveals its schedule for the 2025-26, fans may have noticed some major differences compared to usual. Among them, making decisions like not playing Georgetown or putting its usual yearly games against Cornell and Colgate on hold.
Some might think it's odd, but in reality, it could be a key for Syracuse to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in half a decade.
A recent story from Syracuse.com sheds light on how Syracuse and the rest of the ACC more tactically constructed their non-conference schedules during the summer. Specifically, how the schedules can reflect better in the NET — a key metric in the Selection Committee's process to see who makes the tournament field.
To date, Syracuse's non-conference schedule is close to being fully filled out. It includes a gauntlet in Las Vegas for the Player's Era Tournament, where the Orange are already guaranteed to face two top-20 opponents per Bart Torvik (No. 1 Houston and No. 17 Kansas), plus a third to-be-determined opponent that could very be ranked top-50 in the metrics. Of course, there's the annual SEC/ACC Challenge where 'Cuse will once again be facing Tennessee (No. 13 in Bart Torvik), this time at home.
But after that, there's nothing too crazy or scary on paper.
For the remaining eight confirmed games on the non-con slate, six are at home. In those home matchups, three of them are opponents Bart Torvik has ranked outside the top-300 in its rankings: Stonehill (No. 318), Mercyhurst (No. 362), Binghamton (No. 332). The other half are teams ranked between No. 188 (Monmouth) and No. 239 (Hofstra), with Northeastern at No. 218 sandwiched in the middle.
Syracuse's other two non-games are against St. Joe's (No. 99) and Drexel (No. 265), both neutral-site.
And yes, some fans might be thinking: doesn't it make sense to play teams like Colgate and Cornell, in-state opponents where the Orange have a lengthy history competing against. Of course it does, Paul Brazeau — the ACC's senior associate commissioner of men's basketball — told Syracuse.com in that story. But, in terms of the NET, absolutely not. This quote in particular stood out:
'Let's take Colgate,' Brazeau said. 'Because at the end of the year, they're gonna be at best a bottom Quad 3. So, you gotta beat them by 40 to make a difference? What are we doing here?'
syracuse.com
All of these decisions certainly seem calculated. The broader goal coming from the conference down to teams: squeeze every inch of potential out of the NET and avoid scheduling teams that do absolutely nothing for your NET, and to be honest, probably do more harm than good.
Take a look at Syracuse's non-con schedule last year, for example. The Orange finished 6-5 in their out of conference slate in 2024-25. The wins came against Le Moyne (by four), Colgate (by two), Youngstown State (by nine in double-overtime), Cornell (by ten), Albany (by 17) and Bucknell (by 12). Here is how those opponents ranked to end the year, per KenPom:
Le Moyne: No. 354
Colgate: No. 261
Youngstown State: No. 199
Cornell: No. 129
Albany: No. 275
Bucknell: No. 226
So, Syracuse only had two of the wins come by double-figures, and just one opponent was outside the top-300 in KenPom.
How about the losses? Syracuse dropped its games versus Texas (by four, neutral-site), Texas Tech (by five, neutral-site), Tennessee (by 26, road), Georgetown (by four, home) and Maryland (by 27, neutral-site). There was some missed opportunities (particular the Texas and Texas Tech games), but on the flip side, why play G-Town (No. 90 in KenPom) just to maybe win, when 'Cuse can play some team outside the top-300 in the NET, and hope to smoke them by 30 or 40.
Again, playing Georgetown every year makes all the sense in the world, from keeping the historic series going to the general interest among fans on both sides. It doesn't for the NET, or for maximizing the Orange's chances at making the NCAA Tournament… for better or worse.
Syracuse's 2025-26 schedule was made with a clear strategy: cut out the middle and maximize the periphery. Play those two or three Q1 games and hope to win at least one, then push for matchups that would reflect better in the eyes of the NET, even if the matchups aren't as intriguing or historically relevant.
That's also partly why the ACC made the move to trim the number of conference games a year from 20 to 18. Those are two extra games that can go to a team like Syracuse diversifying its resume (aka: schedule Stonehill) over playing a 50-50 matchup against the Florida State's and Notre Dame's of the world.
Last year, just four ACC teams made the NCAA Tournament; only Duke was able to get past the First Round. The conference in recent years has received fewer spots to go to the Big Dance. Now, it's hoping teams like Syracuse can not only turn things around by being more efficient with their scheduling, but that doing so will get more teams in the field.
Of course, whoever the opponent is, Syracuse will still need to handle business enough times. But unlike recent years, there is clearly a calculated plan here with the schedule, even if it leaves out a few usual opponents.