The Orange are set to play McNamara's old rivals at UAlbany, but will they take on Siena in the upcoming campaign?
It makes sense on all sides: Albany gets a paycheck and doesn't have to travel more than 2.5 hours to play. Syracuse gets another home game for its fans, and a game that it should win as it looks to gel under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara.
The game should also be well-attended by SU and Albany fans alike.
There's no date on the contest at this time, but it stands to reason that it will be an early season meeting, but it could also be in the block between Thanksgiving and Christmas before league play starts for the two programs.
McNamara knows Albany well from his time at Siena as the two schools battle for the coveted "Albany Cup."
According to Mark Singelais of the Albany Times Union, Syracuse will not play Siena in the regular season, though there is a chance that the two programs could meet in an exhibition contest.
That revelation is not surprising considering that McNamara recently said that the Orange were looking for 1-2 more non-conference games, with one of them being at Madison Square Garden. The Albany game takes up one of those spots, with the MSG game still being worked on.
Would a Siena-Syracuse exhibition game make sense?
From a competitive and logistical standpoint, yes. Siena wouldn't have to travel far and it would be an opportunity for fans of both schools to attend, making the environment better. Syracuse played an exhibition against Buffalo last season that likely had the same affect.
However, an exhibition might not be worth it overall because it might turn into more than a basketball game. McNamara will get questions about his time at Siena, as will Siena transfers Gavin Doty and Francis Folefac.
Siena will get asked a lot about playing against McNamara, and the outside noise just might be too much of a distraction at a time when Syracuse is looking to move forward.
Siena Saints head coach Gerry McNamara reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesAlso on campus
The Syracuse men's lacrosse team is in action on Friday night in the ACC semifinals against No. 2 North Carolina. If Syracuse wins, the finals are on Sunday. If the Orange lose, they'll wait for the NCAA Tournament reveal.
They have an excellent chance at an at-large bid if they don't win the tournament.
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