Syracuse University
Sacred Heart
11/2/2026 5:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Syracuse women's basketball opens its 2026-27 season Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ACCNX, hosting Sacred Heart at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange return home after a 24-9 campaign that included a 12-6 ACC record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament's second round. Under fifth-year head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, Syracuse was picked seventh in the ACC preseason coaches poll and the Orange are receiving votes in the AP Top 25.
Sophomore Uche Izoje leads the way. The reigning ACC Rookie of the Year and first-team 2026 All-ACC selection averaged 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds last season while leading the conference in blocks. She is a Preseason All-ACC pick and appears on both the Lisa Leslie Award and Naismith Trophy watch lists. Around her, the roster has a new look, with eight newcomers, including four high-major transfers: fifth-year guard Tyi Skinner (SMU), Jaleesa Molina (Temple), Emely Rodriguez (Iowa) and Sarah Rambus (Oregon). Four freshmen, from New York City, Turkey and France, add to the team's international flavor, while captains Keira Scott, Olivia Schmitt and Angelica Velez anchor the returning group.
Syracuse got its first look at the new group in an Oct. 12 exhibition at UConn, an 88-60 loss in which Rodriguez led the Orange with 14 points and Skinner added 12. Rebounding should be a strength again after SU led the ACC with 16.6 offensive boards per game last season.
The Orange are comfortable at home, going 15-3 in the Dome last year, including a perfect 9-0 in non-conference play. Legette-Jack is 52-17 at home during her tenure.
Syracuse and Sacred Heart are tied 1-1 all-time, with the teams meeting for the first time in two decades. Legette-Jack begins the season with 80 wins at SU and is chasing win No. 100.
Tickets for Tuesday's season opener are available at cuse.com/basketballtickets.
For more on Syracuse women's basketball, follow @CuseWBB on social media.
