Syracuse basketball to play Big 10 opponent in neutral site matchup in November

Syracuse will face Indiana for the eight time in school history in a non-conference game in November.

Mar 1, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Darian DeVries instructs his team against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Syracuse and Indiana will meet at a neutral game site on Nov. 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis according to a report from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. 

It adds to a non-conference schedule that also includes the Orange matching up with the Providence Friars.

A look at Indiana's 2025-26 season

Indiana is coming off an 18-14 season where they finished 10th in the Big 10.

The Hoosiers started off the season 17-8, but lost six of their final seven games to end the season, including a 74-61 loss to Northwestern in the Big 10 Tournament. Notably, they defeated Gerry McNamara’s Siena team in non-conference play on Dec. 22, 81-60.

The Hoosiers are led by former Drake and West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries. In his lone season with the Mountaineers, they finished 19-13 overall, and 10-10 in the Big 12 Conference, but were controversially not selected for the NCAA Tournament. 

Indiana didn’t participate in a postseason tournament for the 2025-26 season.

A look at Syracuse's 2025-26 season

Syracuse is coming off a 15-17 season and a 14th place finish in the ACC. That led to the dismissal of head coach Adrian Autry after his third season. 

The former Syracuse guard finished his SU tenure with a 49-48 record, and a 24-34 overall record in the ACC.

He was replaced by Gerry McNamara, another former star guard for the Orange. McNamara was officially announced as the head coach of Syracuse on Monday after leading Siena to its first NCAA Tournament since 2010.

In two seasons with the Saints, McNamara was a combined 37-30 after taking over a program that won just four games in the 2023-24 season.

The Syracuse-Indiana history

The teams last faced each other in the 2021 season, with the Orange wining at home in a thrilling double-overtime game. 

Joe Girard III’s two free throws with 0.8 seconds left in the second overtime frame proved to be the final margin, with the Orange handing the Hoosiers their first loss of the 2021-22 campaign.

Buddy Boeheim’s 27 points led the Orange in the win.

Of course, the first time these two teams met was in the 1987 National Championship game, with Keith Smart’s last second shot lifting the Hoosiers to a 74-73 win over the Orange. Sherman Douglas’ 20 points were not enough for the Orange.

The Orange and Hoosiers would meet for a second time in the NCAA Tournament in 2013, with the Orange handily defeating the top-seeded Hoosiers 61-50, allowing SU to reach the East Regional Final. 

Syracuse has faced Indiana seven times in its history, with the Orange winning six of those matchups. 

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