Syracuse Just Got Two Early National Tests That Will Frame Both Seasons

Catch all the action of the upcoming SEC/ACC Challenge as ESPN reveals the game times and networks, featuring Syracuse's men's and women's basketball teams in high-stakes matchups against Oklahoma.

ESPN has locked in the TV windows for the fourth annual SEC/ACC Challenge, and Syracuse’s men and women both have marquee matchups on the calendar.

For the women, Syracuse will host No. 24 Oklahoma on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

That game lands in the middle of a packed Thursday slate that also includes No. 1 South Carolina at No.

3 Duke, Clemson at No. 17 Kentucky, and several other ranked matchups across the two leagues.

Felisha Legette-Jack’s team is coming off a 24-9 season and a 12-6 ACC mark, and the Orange bring back their top player from last year in ACC Rookie of the Year Uche Izoje. Syracuse also has a recent win to lean on in this event, after beating Auburn 66-60 in last year’s SEC/ACC Challenge at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The men’s game comes first. Syracuse will travel to Oklahoma on Dec. 1 for a 9 p.m.

Eastern tip on ESPNU. Gerry McNamara is set for his first season as SU’s head coach after the Orange finished 15-17 in Adrian Autry’s final year at the helm.

Syracuse won its Challenge game a year ago, edging Tennessee 62-60 at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Orange will again feature two names familiar to Syracuse fans: Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White.

The men’s schedule opens Dec. 1 with Boston College at Georgia at 5 p.m. on ESPN2, followed by a run of high-profile games that includes Florida State at No. 6 Tennessee, Auburn at Clemson, South Carolina at NC State, Pittsburgh at No.

18 Missouri, No. 10 Arkansas at North Carolina, No.

4 Texas at No. 12 Louisville, Ole Miss at Virginia Tech, Wake Forest at LSU, and No.

2 Duke at No. 1 Florida.

The second day, Dec. 2, features No. 19 Kentucky at No.

13 Virginia, No. 21 Vanderbilt at Notre Dame, No.

14 Alabama at No. 17 Miami, Stanford at Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech at Mississippi State.

On the women’s side, Dec. 2 includes Miami at Florida, No. 10 LSU at No.

9 North Carolina, NC State at No. 15 Ole Miss, Stanford at Auburn, No.

7 Louisville at No. 8 Texas, and Georgia at SMU.

Dec. 3 is loaded as well, with No. 1 South Carolina at No.

3 Duke, Clemson at No. 17 Kentucky, Missouri at Florida State, Georgia Tech at Alabama, No.

16 Notre Dame at No. 11 Vanderbilt, Tennessee at Virginia Tech, Virginia at Mississippi State, Texas A&M at Cal, and Wake Forest at Arkansas.

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The list includes players spread across different high school programs and development paths, from those with Syracuse scholarship offers to others who have already drawn attention from the staff. Some have official visits on the calendar, others have seen plans change, and a few are coming out of leagues such as Overtime Elite, which only adds to the intrigue around how the Orange will prioritize the board once the event begins. [Read more 🡒]