A Preseason Showcase in Buffalo
Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team will open its preseason with a much‑anticipated exhibition against Niagara University at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, with tip‑off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern on October 24. The game marks the second consecutive year the Orange have staged a warm‑up contest at the downtown arena, underscoring the venue’s growing role in the program’s early‑season calendar.
The matchup continues a long‑standing series that heavily favors Syracuse; the Orange hold a 56‑28 edge over the Warriors all‑time and have won 11 of the past 12 meetings. Their most recent regular‑season encounter on December 21, 2023 ended in an 83‑71 victory, a result that adds a narrative of dominance heading into the new season.
Niagara will be led on the bench by Greg Paulus, a former Syracuse point guard who later pursued a brief stint with the Syracuse football program as a graduate student before transitioning to coaching. Paulus, now in his first year as head coach of the Warriors, brings a personal connection to the rivalry and a fresh perspective to the team’s strategy.
The Warriors enter the game after a 8‑22 overall record in the 2025‑26 season and a Metro Conference finish that left them with a roster reshaped by 12 new additions. Despite the modest win‑loss tally, the club hopes the exhibition will serve as a catalyst for improvement as it prepares for the upcoming campaign.
Beyond the Buffalo showdown, Syracuse will test itself against another powerhouse on October 13, when the Orange meet Big East contender UConn at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The neutral‑site event promises a high‑profile preview of both teams’ preseason form and adds another layer of excitement for fans across the region.
These exhibition games illustrate a broader trend of college programs leveraging marquee venues and regional rivalries to generate buzz, boost ticket sales, and give players a competitive runway before the regular season begins. For Syracuse, the doubleheader against Niagara and UConn encapsulates a strategy that blends tradition with ambition.