SU women’s basketball to play Auburn in this year’s ACC/SEC Challenge
Syracuse will host Auburn in the ACC/SEC Challenge on December 3rd. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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Syracuse women’s basketball will host Auburn on Dec. 3 in the third edition of the ACC/SEC Challenge, ESPN announced Thursday. In last year’s iteration, SU lost to Texas A&M 57-45 after being outscored 33-19 in the second half, contributing to its unsurprisingly poor season.
Last year, Auburn had its worst season since 2021-22, winning 12 games and registering a 3-13 record in SEC play. After a disappointing four-year tenure which saw the Tigers go 58-63, Johnnie Harris was dismissed at season’s end. Larry Vickers replaced her. Vickers assembled an impressive 177-99 record across nine years helming Norfolk State. Now, Vickers will attempt to push Auburn to the tournament for the first time since 2018-19.
Syracuse encountered similar struggles last year, as it followed consecutive 20-win seasons with the worst campaign in the Felisha Legette-Jack era. With a revamped roster and coaching staff, the Orange are looking to improve upon their disappointing campaign.
Two years ago, the Orange defeated Alabama 79-73 in the SEC/ACC Challenge despite turning the ball over 24 times. Before competing in the SEC/ACC Challenge, Syracuse held a 4-5 record in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
It will serve as a homecoming of sorts for Syracuse center Oyindamola Akinbolawa, who spent three years with the Tigers before transferring to SU this offseason.
