This would be the first time the two schools have ever met on the hardcourt. Mercer was 17-15 overall and 11-7 in the Southern Conference last season. The Bears wrapped up their season with a 70-56 loss to Western Carolina in the Southern Conference Tournament.
Mercer is a private university located in Macon, Georgia. Its head coach is Greg Gary, who is entering his second season with Mercer. He was hired after eight seasons as an assistant coach at Purdue.
Syracuse was 18-14 last season and had won its first ACC Tournament game over North Carolina before the coronavirus pandemic ended the college-basketball season. Syracuse is slated to return four of five starters, including junior guard Buddy Boeheim (15.3 points per game).
In addition to the Mercer contest, Syracuse basketball has recently announced non-conference home games with Green Bay and Jacksonville State for the new season.