Syracuse Men's Basketball: Need to Know as Orange Face Toughest Test Yet

The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team is 2-0 after double-digit wins against New Haven and Central Connecticut State to start off the season.

Monday night offers a much tougher task as the Orange take on the Indiana Hoosiers of the Big Ten in a non-conference showdown (6:30 p.m. ET). Here's what you need to know. 

New head coach Gerry McNamara confirmed following Thursday's victory that Tobiason would not be available against Indiana. Tobiason, a transfer portal addition from this offseason, is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained in the exhibition opener (Oct. 13). The 6-foot-6 guard is expected to play a pivotal role for the Orange this season. It is likely that Mark Morano and Kiyan Anthony may see increased playing time on Monday due to Tobiason's absence. McNamara did not offer a timetable on when Tobiason may be ready to return to action. 

Tobiason averaged more than 15 ppg for Temple last season. He's one of the better 3-point shooters on the roster.

The Orange gained nine of their total 15 wins in the non-conference slate last season. If Syracuse was closer to an NCAA Tournament qualifying team, the team's resume would have been looked stronger because of a win over Tennessee. Tennessee reached the Elite Eight before falling to Michigan. The Orange also lost to NCAA qualifying teams Kansas and Houston, and if they can get closer to tournament-level, their non-conference schedule will gain more importance.

A matchup like the one on Monday night serves as great chance for the Orange to build on what they hope will be an NCAA tournament quality resume come March. 

The most famous matchup between Indiana and Syracuse took place during the 1987 national championship game. Syracuse led 73-72 with just seconds remaining on the clock before Indiana's Keith Smart hit a jump shot to give his Hoosiers the lead and eventual victory.

The Orange's lone national championship came in 2003 when they defeated Kansas 81-78. Syracuse has not reached the title game since that campaign. McNamara was a part of the roster than helped lead the group to the title.

The most recent matchup between the two schools took place during the 2021-22 season. Syracuse won a double-overtime thriller, 112-110, at home in the JMA Wireless Dome. 

Indiana is led by second-year head coach Darian DeVries. The Hoosiers' record sits at 2-0 after a 91-57 win over Eastern Illinois and a 92-69 win over Bellarmine. The Hoosiers finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-14 record.

The most recent time in which Syracuse won an NCAA tournament game was in 2021 when Gainbridge Fieldhouse hosted the action.

In the Round of 64, Syracuse defeated San Diego State 78-62. Just two days later, the game site changed from Hinkle Fieldhouse to Gainbridge Fieldhouse (then known as Bankers Life Fieldhouse).

The 2021 NCAA tournament had no fans in attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

FS1 will have the television coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET. On the audio side, fans can listen across multiple affiliates in New York State. In the Central New York area, the game will be broadcast on the radio side on TK99/105 (99.5/100.5 FM) and WAER (88.3) and through Cuse.com.

SyracuseRoundTable will on site for the season tip-off. Remember to join the Syracuse community to take in the action with fellow Orange fans. Plus, following the game, SyracuseRoundtable will be offering insight, takeaways from the contest and more