Syracuse is gearing up for its final exhibition game of the year, set against Pace on October 29, 2025. The match will take place at the JMA Wireless Dome at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on ACC Network Extra.
Game Background
This exhibition match follows Syracuse’s victory against the University at Buffalo, where they won 76-66. Transfer Tyler Betsey topped the scoring for Syracuse, finishing with 14 points, including three three-pointers. Junior guard Naithan George facilitated the offense with six assists, showcasing the team’s depth.
Notable Performances
- Freshman Kiyan Anthony scored 10 points in his debut.
- Transfer center William Kyle III also contributed 10 points.
- Donnie Freeman, a sophomore forward, was among the nine players who scored for Syracuse.
In their last game, Syracuse shot 48.1 percent from the field and successfully landed nine three-pointers. Defensively, they limited Buffalo to 42 percent shooting and forced 11 turnovers, signaling a strong overall performance.
Looking Ahead: Season Overview
Head coach Adrian Autry is entering his third season with the Orange, returning many key players from last year. Notably, senior guard J.J. Starling averaged 17.8 points last season, reaching a landmark of 1,000 career points and earning Preseason All-ACC Second Team recognition. Freeman, returning from injury, had previously averaged 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds.
New Additions and Fresh Talent
- Naithan George, a junior guard from Georgia Tech, averaged 12.3 points and led the ACC with 6.5 assists last season.
- William Kyle III joins from UCLA, where he averaged 2.9 points and was a key defensive player at South Dakota State.
- The freshman roster features Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White Jr., alongside international players Luke Fennell and Tiefing Diawara.
Opponent Profile: Pace University
Pace’s head coach, Matt Healing, starts his ninth season. Under his leadership, the Setters made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and played in the Northeast-10 Conference championship game in 2024-25.
Pace’s Last Season Performance
- Last year, Pace finished with a 24-8 overall record and 14-6 in conference play.
- They reached the Northeast-10 championship game, losing to Southern New Hampshire in overtime.
- Pace earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Division II East Regional but fell short against St. Thomas Aquinas.
As the first game of the 2025-26 season for the Setters, this match provides an opportunity for both teams to evaluate their strategies and player performances before the regular season begins.
Tickets and More Information
Fans can purchase both season and individual tickets through El-Balad. With the anticipation surrounding this final exhibition match, it’s a prime opportunity to catch the Syracuse Orange in action before their competitive season unfolds.
