Syracuse women’s basketball to host Oklahoma in 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge
Syracuse women’s basketball will host Oklahoma on Dec. 3 in the 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge, the Orange announced. Joe Zhao | Daily Orange File Photo
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Syracuse women’s basketball will host Oklahoma on Dec. 3 in the 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge, the Orange announced Friday morning. SU and the Sooners last met on Dec. 19, 2011, when Oklahoma won 82-63 at the Duel In The Desert in Las Vegas.
The Orange are coming off a 24-9 2025-26 campaign, during which they reached the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons and defeated No. 8 seed Iowa State in the first round. While Syracuse’s run ended two days later against UConn, Felisha Legette-Jack’s fourth year at the helm was arguably her best.
SU found gems in Uche Izoje and Dominique Darius, both of whom could return in 2026-27. Texas transfer Laila Phelia played as advertised, and Sophie Burrows remained a steady threat from distance, though she’s a considerable loss after transferring to North Carolina this offseason.
Even with Izoje and potentially Darius — who submitted a waiver for an extra year of eligibility — returning, it’ll be difficult for the Orange to defeat Oklahoma, which finished the season ranked 12th nationally after reaching the Sweet 16. Under fifth-year head coach Jennie Baranczyk, the Sooners earned six ranked wins, including one over national runner-up South Carolina in a 94-82 overtime thriller.
The two squads’ December meeting is Syracuse’s first announced matchup of the season. The Orange are 2-1 in three ACC/SEC Challenge games thus far.
