Syracuse Basketball Team Picked Ninth in ACC Preseason Poll

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse men’s basketball team has been projected to finish ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) according to the league’s preseason poll, released on Tuesday. The poll was compiled by 49 media members chosen by the league.

Syracuse, coming off a challenging season where they finished with a 14-19 record, saw a slight improvement in expectations this year. They were previously predicted to place 11th in the ACC last season. The Orange’s upcoming season begins on November 3 against Binghamton, with an exhibition game set for October 25 against Buffalo.

Duke has been named the preseason favorite, receiving 34 of the 49 first-place votes and totaling 866 points. Louisville, which received the remaining 15 votes, came in second with 842 points. North Carolina, NC State, and Virginia complete the top five in the poll.

J.J. Starling, a returning guard for Syracuse, has also earned recognition. He was selected for the All-ACC preseason second team, reflecting his performance last season where he achieved career-highs in multiple statistical categories. Starling received two votes in the ACC Preseason Player of the Year category, ranking behind Darrion Williams from NC State.

Syracuse’s poll position places them ahead of Notre Dame, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech, and just behind teams like Miami and Clemson. The voting panel consisted of media from various league markets, though the geographic breakdown was not disclosed.

The full preseason poll results showcase Duke’s dominance, but also highlight Syracuse’s potential for growth as they revamp their roster. With new talent and returning stars, enthusiasm is building around the upcoming season for the Orange.