SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse men’s basketball announced it has scheduled a non-conference home game against Niagara on Saturday, Dec. 28.
The contest at the Carrier Dome will bring former Le Moyne Coach Patrick Beilein back to town, as he is the new coach of the Purple Eagles. Beilein led Le Moyne for four seasons, compiling a 77-41 record and making three NCAA Division II tournaments with the Dolphins.
Syracuse and Niagara have played 81 times in the past, with the Orange leading the series, 53-28. The teams last met on Dec. 30, 2000, a game the Cuse won 95-69.
Beilein isn’t the only member of Niagara’s coaching staff with Syracuse ties. Greg Paulus, a former Syracuse Orange quarterback and two-sport star at Christian Brothers Academy, is an assistant coach for the Purple Eagles.
Niagara, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, went 13-19 last season, and head coach Chris Casey was fired afterward. The Purple Eagles last made the NCAA Tournament in 2007.
Syracuse posted a 20-14 record last year, making the NCAA Tournament as an 8 seed, but losing 78-69 in the 1st Round to Baylor.
Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com