UConn and Syracuse are hitting the court again this Tuesday, and let me tell you, this isn’t some snooze-fest exhibition game. We’re talking about a rivalry that college hoops fans have been missing for way too long. It’s been since November 2018 since these two powerhouses clashed, and you know that history runs deep.
The Old Big East Fire Reignites
You remember the Big East days, right? Decades of battles before Syracuse bailed for the ACC. UConn’s got a 39-56 all-time record against the Orange, which, yeah, isn’t exactly dominant, but it shows how much these teams have tangled. This Tuesday’s game won’t officially count toward that crazy series record, but who cares about the stats sheet when you’re watching two programs with this kind of bad blood go at it? It’s at 7 p.m. ET, over at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and if you can catch it on NBC Sports Boston or UConn+, you absolutely should.
Who’s Stepping Up For Hurley and the Orange?
Alright, so what are we even looking at with these squads? For UConn, this Syracuse game kicks off a three-exhibition grind. They’ve got Michigan State on October 20 and Purdue on October 27 coming up too. Coach Dan Hurley’s gotta figure out how his returning guards, Silas Demary Jr., Solo Ball, and Braylon Mullins, mesh with the new blood they’ve brought in. That’s the real question.
On the Syracuse side, eyes are gonna be glued to sophomore guard Kiyan Anthony. Yeah, that Anthony. Carmelo’s son. This is his chance to shine in a high-profile setting, even if it’s preseason. It’s a huge opportunity for him and his teammates to show what they’ve got, even if their final roles aren’t locked down yet.
This Isn’t Just a Warm-Up, It’s a Test
Look, the rivalry is the hook, sure, but both teams have serious questions they gotta start answering. UConn needs to see those returning guards connect with the new guys. Syracuse gets to test its mettle against a program that’s been a national title contender under Hurley. Since it’s an exhibition, the score won’t go on their record, which means coaches can get wild with lineups and really evaluate players without that regular-season pressure cooker. But for us fans? It’s a rare, sweet taste of these two legends sharing the floor again.
And for UConn specifically, this Syracuse game is an immediate measuring stick before they head to Michigan State. If Hurley’s Huskies look connected, moving the ball, playing tough defense? That’s an awesome early sign. If they struggle, he’s still got those two other preseason games to tweak, tinker, and get them right before opening night. It’s all about getting ready for what’s ahead, and this is where it starts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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