Syracuse basketball is about to find out a lot more about itself.
On Monday evening, the Orange heads to Indianapolis for a non-conference showdown with Indiana, the first of five power-conference opponents on Syracuse’s 14-game non-conference schedule. It’s also the first real measuring stick of the Gerry McNamara era, with the Orange sitting at 2-0 after home wins over New Haven and Central Connecticut State.
That second victory gave Syracuse a cleaner look on both ends of the floor. The effort was steadier, the play more consistent across both halves, and the Orange showed more of the kind of balance McNamara wants. But Indiana is a different animal entirely.
The Hoosiers, from the Big Ten, are viewed by national and league observers as a team capable of pushing for an NCAA Tournament berth in 2027. While the Big Ten does not release an official preseason poll, several forecasts have Indiana finishing in the top half of the league. The Hoosiers also picked up eight votes in the preseason Associated Press top-25 poll.
This matchup is set for November 9 at 6:30 pm EST at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with FS1 carrying the broadcast.
The series history gives Syracuse plenty of reason to feel comfortable, even if the setting and the opponent say otherwise. The Orange is 6-1 all-time against Indiana, and the lone loss still stings: a 74-73 defeat in the 1987 national championship game in New Orleans under legendary coach Jim Boeheim. Syracuse has taken every other meeting.
The most recent clash came in the Dome in November 2021, when Syracuse outlasted Indiana 112-110 in a double-overtime thriller during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Both programs arrive with some turnover from a year ago. Syracuse finished 15-17 last season before officials moved on from third-year coach Adrian Autry and brought in McNamara, a former Syracuse standout guard. Indiana went 18-14 in 2025-26.
Darian DeVries is now in his second season guiding the Hoosiers after previous stops at West Virginia and Drake. Indiana has opened 2026-27 with two home wins, rolling past Eastern Illinois, 91-57, and Bellarmine, 92-69.
In Other News...
Former Syracuse Coordinator Suddenly Lands In A Stunning Michigan Situation
Michigans decision to move on from offensive coordinator Jason Beck has created a messy financial wrinkle around a hire that only went into place this offseason. Beck, who previously coached at Syracuse and New Mexico, arrived in Ann Arbor with the expectation of helping reshape the offense, but the school has now fired him after just a short stay, according to a report citing an anonymous source.
The reported buyout could reach as much as $10.1 million, a figure made up of nearly $7 million in salary and $3.1 million in retention bonuses, though that total is still subject to offset and mitigation depending on Becks next job. For Syracuse followers, it is another reminder of how quickly a familiar coaching name can get pulled into a high-stakes situation far from Central New York. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Faces Another O-Line Shakeup Before A Crucial NC State Test
Another week, another change along Syracuses offensive line. Head coach Fran Brown said starting right guard Jayden Mann will miss the upcoming game against North Carolina State after suffering a lower-body sprain in the previous game, a setback that comes as the Orange continue trying to stabilize the front of the offense.
Mann does not have structural damage, but Syracuse expects him to be out until at least a potential bowl game if the team qualifies, leaving the staff to sort through options again. Oluwafunto Akinshilo and Byron Washington are among the players being considered for the spot, and the Orange are still juggling other offensive line injuries as they prepare for a crucial test against NC State. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse QB Situation Just Got More Complicated Before NC State
Syracuses quarterback picture took another turn this week as Fran Brown said Malachi Nelson will throw during practice and could be available against North Carolina State, depending on how he moves after minor surgery for a high ankle sprain. Nelson had already been listed as doubtful and then ruled out for recent games, so even the possibility of getting him back adds a new layer to a situation that has been shifting almost by the day.
Brown also confirmed that Amari Odom is done for the season after shoulder surgery, though he is expected back for spring practices. For a Syracuse offense trying to settle itself late in the year, the uncertainty around Nelson matters because it leaves the Orange waiting on one more health check before knowing whether they have another option under center for a key ACC matchup. [Read more 🡒]