Syracuse’s 2026-27 ACC opener is starting to come into view, and the first conference test appears to be a road trip.
CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein reported Tuesday that the Orange will begin Atlantic Coast Conference play on Dec. 29 at Florida State. If that holds, it would be the first league game for new head coach Gerry McNamara, who took over after Adrian Autry was fired at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The timing gives McNamara an immediate measuring stick. Syracuse is coming off a 15-17 season, fell to SMU in the first round of the ACC Tournament, and has now gone five years without an NCAA Tournament appearance. McNamara was brought in to change that direction, and he arrives with some momentum after a strong two-year stretch at Siena, where he guided the Saints to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 16 seed last season.
Last year, Syracuse opened ACC play on Dec. 31 against Clemson at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange already know their non-conference slate, but the full league schedule still hasn’t been released. Rothstein’s report is the first piece of that puzzle, and more should follow soon.
There are at least some reasons to be encouraged about what Syracuse has in place for 2026-27. Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White Jr. return as two experienced, athletic pieces, while Gavin Doty and Aiden Tobiason add depth at shooting guard and small forward. And if Amarri Monroe is eventually ruled eligible amid the ongoing fight for fifth-year players to gain eligibility, that would give McNamara another useful option.
On the football side, Syracuse running back Shavane Anderson Jr. earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors for his performance against New Hampshire. He carried the ball 10 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns, and he made history in the process.
Syracuse will be back in action Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET against Cal at the JMA Wireless Dome.
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Syracuse Is Making Early Progress With A 2028 Line Target
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Johnstone came away with a positive impression of both the team and the staff, a small but meaningful step for a program hoping to build relationships well before his class becomes a major recruiting focus. For now, his attention shifts back to his own season, as his high school team prepares for its opener against Sachem North, but Syracuse has at least put itself on the radar early. [Read more 🡒]