A New Chapter for Syracuse Basketball
Syracuse University’s men’s basketball program has announced a three‑game exhibition slate that will kick off the upcoming season, with none of the contests slated for the iconic Carrier Dome.
One of those matchups will pit the Orange against longtime rival UConn on October 13 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, a venue that has become a frequent neutral‑site hub for college basketball events.
Coach Gerry McNamara, who took over the program after the legendary Jim Boeheim’s retirement, framed the exhibition as an opportunity to reignite a rivalry that last saw its regular‑season chapter in 2013, while also highlighting his admiration for UConn’s coach Dan Hurley and the recent success the Huskies have enjoyed.
The decision to stage the game away from the Dome reflects a strategic move, allowing the Orange to test new pieces in their roster while gauging their competitiveness against a program that has consistently performed at a high level in recent years.
Beyond the UConn showdown, the exhibition schedule includes additional contests that will give McNamara a chance to evaluate talent and chemistry early in the preseason, though specific opponents have not been disclosed publicly.
The upcoming exhibition series underscores a broader trend of neutral‑site games that provide fans in different regions with access to high‑profile college basketball, while also offering teams a unique environment that differs from the familiar confines of campus arenas.
Looking Back at a Storied History
The last time UConn played in the Carrier Dome was in 2012, and the final regular‑season meeting between the two schools dates back to 2013, a span that adds a layer of nostalgia to the upcoming exhibition.
Both programs share a deep‑rooted history in the Big East and now the American Athletic Conference landscape, making any meeting — whether in practice or in a preseason exhibition — an event that draws attention from alumni, media and basketball enthusiasts alike.