preview focused on Syracuse Orange men’s basketball in the context of the 2025-26 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) slate — particularly their match-ups and outlook vis-à-vis three conference foes: Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball, Virginia Tech Hokies men’s basketball and Wake Forest Demon Deacons men’s basketball.
For Syracuse, the 2025-26 season marks an important juncture. The Orange finished 14-19 overall and 7-13 in ACC play last year, landing near the bottom of the league standings. ([Wikipedia][1]) With only about 26% of minutes returning from that squad, the program under head coach Adrian Autry faces a significant reset. ([Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician][2]) Expectations are moderate: in the preseason media poll the Orange were picked 9th in the ACC. ([ACC][3]) The scope of the preview now turns to how Syracuse matches up and competes against three specific opponents.
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### Facing Virginia
Virginia enters 2025-26 under new leadership (first season of head coach Ryan Odom) and a roster overhaul, attempting to depart from the long-standing Bennett era. ([Streaking The Lawn][4]) The Cavaliers bring in international talent and graduate transfers to provide a fresh identity. For Syracuse this matchup offers both challenge and opportunity. On one hand Virginia has the pedigree and renewed momentum to re-emerge as a mid-to-upper ACC contender; Syracuse will need to be sharp defensively, disciplined in half-court sets, and control tempo to offset Virginia’s methodical style. On the other hand, Virginia’s transition phase offers Syracuse a chance for a statement win — one that could fuel confidence in the JMA Wireless Dome and help build momentum in conference play.
Strategically, Syracuse will want to exploit Virginia’s transition and early shot clock possession opportunities. The Orange need to win the rebound battle, limit turnovers, and leverage their perimeter shooters (including returning guard J.J. Starling, who was named to the preseason All-ACC Second Team) to stretch the floor. ([Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician][5]) If Syracuse can force Virginia out of its deliberate rhythm, the Orange may tilt the matchup in their favor.
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### Taking on Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech, like Syracuse, is in a phase of reloading and repositioning. After a difficult 2024-25 season, the Hokies added major transfer talent and international recruits, such as Neoklis Avdalas, to spark a bounce-back. ([Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician][6]) But on polls they still sit in the lower half of ACC predictions — USA Today pegged them 11th out of 18. ([Fighting Gobbler][7]) For Syracuse, this presents a different kind of test: one of staying sharp against a team hungry to climb and willing to play fast and aggressive. The Orange must guard the three, protect the paint, and avoid slow starts.
Last season Syracuse dropped a tough overtime loss at Virginia Tech, blowing a double-digit lead. ([Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician][8]) That lingering memory underscores the need for consistency and composure away from home. If Syracuse locks in on defense and eliminates poor stretches, they can take advantage of any early lineup growing pains in the Hokies camp. Winning this one would be key as Syracuse seeks to gain upward movement in the ACC standings.
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### Battling Wake Forest
Wake Forest offers a slightly different profile: under coach Steve Forbes the Demon Deacons have had talent, but expectations of NCAA-Tournament quality success seem tempered this season. ([Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician][6]) Wake brings skilled guards, enough depth, but perhaps lacks the top-end ceiling of the league’s elite. For Syracuse, the matchup with Wake presents both a must-win and a risk game: beat a peer-level ACC opponent, and the Orange can build credibility; lose, and the margin for error gets thinner.
Here Syracuse must win the physical battles, dominate the glass, and impose its transition defense. Wake will look to shoot and spread the floor; if Syracuse allows high-percentage shots from deep or gives up offensive rebounds, it could slip away. A win over Wake may be a stepping stone for Syracuse’s return to relevance in the conference.
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### Final Thoughts
As Syracuse embarks on 2025-26, these three games carry outsized importance. Virginia represents a ceiling match — beating them would signal serious growth. Virginia Tech is more of a hold-your-own contest — win and gain stability. Wake Forest is a check-box but also a statement opportunity. Collectively, navigating these games well sets the tone for whether Syracuse can move from rebuilding to contending.
The Orange return some key pieces, integrate fresh talent, and now face a conference where several programs are retooling. The ACC polls show Syracuse at ninth, with Wake Forest and Virginia Tech projected just below, and Virginia just above. ([SI][9]) That alignment suggests realistic goals of improvement, but not yet contention for the top. If Syracuse can execute, improve consistency, and win key games like these, they might exceed the preseason expectations and build momentum toward a much better season than the 14-19 one they leave behind.
* [Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician](https://www.nunesmagician.com/syracuse-basketball-mens-orange-boeheim/99217/syracuse-mens-basketball-previewing-the-acc-virginia-virginia-tech-and-wake-forest?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician](https://www.nunesmagician.com/syracuse-basketball-mens-orange-boeheim/99188/syracuse-mens-basketball-orange-picked-9th-in-acc-preseason-poll?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician](https://www.nunesmagician.com/2025/4/28/24417844/syracuse-orange-mens-basketball-offseason-transfer-portal-bar-torvik-preseason-rankings-adrian-autry?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_Syracuse_Orange_men%27s_basketball_team?utm_source=chatgpt.com “2024–25 Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team”
[2]: https://www.nunesmagician.com/2025/4/28/24417844/syracuse-orange-mens-basketball-offseason-transfer-portal-bar-torvik-preseason-rankings-adrian-autry?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Syracuse men’s basketball: Orange rank No. 50 in Bart Torvik’s initial preseason rankings”
[3]: https://theacc.com/news/2025/10/14/duke-selected-as-preseason-2025-26-acc-mens-basketball-favorite.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Duke Selected as 2025-26 Preseason ACC Men’s …”
[4]: https://www.streakingthelawn.com/virginia-cavaliers-basketball/44300/uva-basketball-acc-preseason-poll-2025-duke-north-carolina-louiisville?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Virginia basketball picked to finish 5th in ACC Preseason Poll”
[5]: https://www.nunesmagician.com/syracuse-basketball-mens-orange-boeheim/99188/syracuse-mens-basketball-orange-picked-9th-in-acc-preseason-poll?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Syracuse men’s basketball: Orange picked 9th in ACC preseason poll”
[6]: https://www.nunesmagician.com/syracuse-basketball-mens-orange-boeheim/99217/syracuse-mens-basketball-previewing-the-acc-virginia-virginia-tech-and-wake-forest?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Syracuse men’s basketball: Previewing the ACC: Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest”
[7]: https://fightinggobbler.com/usa-today-preseason-acc-men-s-basketball-poll-slams-virginia-tech?utm_source=chatgpt.com “USA Today preseason ACC men’s basketball poll slams …”
[8]: https://www.nunesmagician.com/2025/3/1/24375556/syracuse-orange-mens-basketball-team-virginia-tech-hokies-overtime-loss-101-95-adrian-autry?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Virginia Tech 101, Syracuse 95: Orange blow double-digit lead, fall in tough overtime loss”
[9]: https://www.si.com/college/bostoncollege/acc/2025-26-acc-mens-basketball-preseason-media-poll-selections-released?utm_source=chatgpt.com “2025
-26 ACC Men’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll …”
