Gerry McNamara is on a mission to reignite two historic basketball rivalries that took an unexpected pause last season. Syracuse fans know the significance of the matchups against Colgate and Cornell, two teams just a stone's throw from the JMA Wireless Dome. With a combined 304 games played against the Orange, these teams have a storied past with Syracuse dating back to the early 1900s.
Last season, Syracuse skipped these matchups, but McNamara is eager to see them back on the schedule for 2026-27. "These are strong mid-major programs," McNamara stated. "They need the right games for their growth, and it just makes sense for us to play them."
The decision to drop these games last year wasn't easy. Historically, Colgate and Cornell were seen as manageable opponents, but recent years have shown a shift.
Colgate, in particular, has managed to best Syracuse twice, while Cornell has kept games tight. With NCAA Tournament bids influenced by team metrics, Syracuse's coaching staff opted to remove these games to enhance their postseason chances.
McNamara, who coached Siena against both Cornell and Colgate recently, has personal ties to these programs. His friendship with Colgate’s coach, Matt Langel, and shared community ties in Syracuse make these matchups more than just games.
Syracuse is already reaching out to Colgate and Cornell with potential dates. McNamara emphasized to his Siena players the importance of these games, not just for their competitiveness but for what they represent.
"These are the programs you should aspire to become," he said. "Not just good programs, but great ones."