Syracuse women’s basketball: which SEC school would we like to see the Orange play in 2024?

Just like with the men’s team, the Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team will be slated to compete again in the second annual ACC/SEC Challenge next season.

This time around, the Orange will likely be slated for a trip on the road. Syracuse defeated Alabama 79-73 in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge this past season, but which team should the Orange play this time around?

We called on the Nunes crew to submit their picks for the SEC opponent they would like to see the Orange face. But first, some brief things to note.

There is the obvious scenario out there of Syracuse playing the Crimson Tide again, this time on the road. Last year’s game was the first between both programs. In addition, Missouri is likely to not be an option on the table considering Syracuse could play the Tigers in the inaugural Emerald Coast Classic Tournament next season.

That leaves the following pick of SEC teams who should be playing at home for the ACC/SEC Challenge:

Now, on to our selections:

Dom: Texas A&M Aggies

Considering the depth of the ACC conference, the opportunities for juicy NET wins will already be out there for Syracuse. There was a clear advantage last year with sprinkling in a few Power Five non-conference opponents who were borderline or close to borderline NCAA Tournament teams. Texas A&M projects as that type of opponent, and considering the Orange have only played the Aggies three times historically, there’s a solid chance they could be the right pick.

Kevin: South Carolina Gamecocks

Are the Orange ready to take on the best program in the country? Probably not, but I don’t think it’s a challenge that Felisha Legette-Jack would run from as she establishes her culture at Syracuse. The program could benefit from getting more national exposure- the type that comes from playing South Carolina. Syracuse gained a lot of respect for their performance in Storrs in the NCAA Tournament, and there would be another opportunity to do the same in Columbia.

Mike: Vanderbilt Commodores

There’s some hidden history between the Orange and Vandy head coach Shea Ralph. She was an assistant for her alma mater UConn during their mid-2010s dynasty, including the NCAA Championship against Syracuse. Program wise, Vanderbilt is in a similar state to Syracuse: good by conference standards, but still a step or two away from chasing a title. As another plus, the travel to Nashville should be less taxing than other schools on the list.

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Now it’s your turn, who would you like to see the Orange play?