Syracuse Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Orange

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange speaks to his team during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

Non-conference schedule breakdown

Quality non-conference scheduling is necessary to secure a top seed in the NCAA Tournament later in the year. Even though the Orange will be tested tremendously by ACC teams in the latter half of the season, landing high-quality wins in November and December can be the difference on Selection Sunday. Having said this, here are the most intriguing games on Syracuse’s non-conference schedule:

Nov. 15-16: 2K Classic – Connecticut and Iowa/Oregon (N)
Nov. 28: at Ohio State Buckeyes (A)
Dec. 4: vs. Northeastern Huskies (H)
Dec. 8: vs. Georgetown Hoyas (H)
Dec. 15: vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (H)
Dec. 18: vs. Buffalo Bulls (H)

I love how this non-conference schedule sets up for Syracuse’s ACC slate. Even though the Orange will likely be favored in all but one non-conference game (could be underdogs against Oregon if they meet), all seven battles above (two in the 2K Classic) will provide underrated challenges. Quite simply, Coach Boeheim and Co. did an excellent job scheduling a few of the best mid-major teams in the nation.

Northeastern (CAA), Old Dominion (CUSA), and Buffalo (MAC) are all projected as top-half finishers in their respective conferences and potential NCAA Tournament teams down the road. Even though all three of these games at home, watch out for these as potentially difficult games. Syracuse should go 3-0 but the Huskies, Monarchs, and Bulls will definitely test the team early.

Additionally, matchups against Ohio State and Georgetown should never be overlooked. Neither team looks like a sure-fire NCAA Tournament squad this year but both programs should at least hover around the bubble. These two programs are among the best in the nation and will cause the ‘Cuse some fits.

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