Syracuse basketball opens McNamara era with 74-58 win, SU Abroad shifts admissions

Central New York wakes up to a new era in Syracuse basketball, major SU Abroad changes, and city council insights. The Orange rolled past New Haven in the JMA Wireless Dome, while SU Abroad announced a new merit-based application process.

By CNY Signal News Team. November 3, 2026.

McNamara era tips off with 74-58 win at the Dome

SYRACUSE, N.Y., The Gerry McNamara era for Syracuse men’s basketball began Monday night with a 74-58 victory over New Haven at the JMA Wireless Dome, according to Syracuse.com and The Daily Orange. The Orange jumped out to an 18-0 lead and never looked back, giving McNamara his first regular-season win as head coach.

Gavin Doty led the charge early, scoring the first five points and finishing with a double-double: 14 points and 13 rebounds. Kiyan Anthony, coming off the bench, added 17 points, while Sadiq White Jr. contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Orange forced 13 turnovers and limited their own to just five, per Spectrum News CNY.

The crowd at the Dome, energized by pregame hype videos and the return of McNamara, watched the Orange build a 22-point halftime lead. The team’s defensive intensity was on display, with White Jr. recording two blocks in the opening minutes. Freshman Mark Morano, starting in place of the injured Aiden Tobiason, hit three three-pointers in his collegiate debut.

While New Haven outscored Syracuse in the second half, the Orange maintained control throughout. The next home game is set for Thursday against Central Connecticut.

SU Abroad overhauls admissions, adds new global programs

Syracuse University Abroad announced significant changes to its application and admissions process, moving to a merit-based system due to overcapacity in spring programs, according to The Daily Orange. Applications will now be reviewed based on academic fit and a comprehensive review of GPA, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis.

For students planning to study abroad in fall 2027, the application cycle opens November 15 and closes February 1, 2027. Spring admissions will close March 15. The new process aims to notify students of their status earlier, with spring decisions arriving in early April while students are still on campus.

To address spring overcapacity, SU Abroad is encouraging students to consider fall programs and has announced several new fall-only options. These include a Health and Science program in Madrid, a Law, Society and Policy program in Strasbourg, a Music in Santiago program for Setnor School of Music sophomores, and a Global Fashion and Luxury Business program in London with a field trip to Milan. Only the Environment, Health and Policy program in Santiago will run both semesters, with the fall taught in Spanish.

Interest in study abroad has grown dramatically, prompting these changes to ensure more students have access to international experiences. For more on campus changes and student opportunities, see our ongoing Syracuse sports and campus coverage.

Common Council’s role in city life, Northside water pressure fixed

Residents in Syracuse’s Northside neighborhood are seeing improvements after years of low water pressure, thanks to the efforts of 1st district councilor Marino Nave and the Syracuse Water Department, The Daily Orange reports. Nave brought the issue to the city’s attention, resulting in repairs that restored normal water flow for affected households.

The Syracuse Common Council, which meets regularly at City Hall, is responsible for passing legislation, overseeing city departments, and addressing constituent concerns. Councilors chair ten committees, but unlike other legislative bodies, these committees do not vote on legislation. Instead, they serve as fact-finding groups before proposals reach the full council for a vote.

Common Council President Rita Paniagua and City Auditor Alexander Marion described the council’s process, emphasizing collaboration with the mayor’s office, which holds veto power over council actions. The city auditor provides oversight and policy expertise to both the council and mayor.

For residents looking to engage, council meetings are typically held on Mondays, and proposals from city departments are discussed in open sessions. The council’s recent work highlights the impact of local government on daily life, from infrastructure fixes to budget decisions. For more on city services and infrastructure, check our Syracuse traffic and road conditions page.

SU field hockey, women’s basketball, and what’s next in CNY sports

Syracuse field hockey enters the ACC Tournament as the No. 4 seed, facing Louisville in the quarterfinals Tuesday, according to The Daily Orange. The Orange finished the regular season 9-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play. Their path to a first ACC title could include matchups against top-seeded North Carolina and either Wake Forest or Duke in the finals.

Syracuse women’s basketball opens its season Tuesday against Sacred Heart. The Orange return five players and add eight newcomers, including Tyi Skinner and Sarah Rambus. Sacred Heart brings back seven players from last year’s squad. The Orange will look to leverage their size advantage, with three players at 6-foot-3 or taller.

For more on Orange sports and upcoming games, visit our SU athletics section.

By The Numbers

• 74-58: Final score of Syracuse men’s basketball win over New Haven, per Spectrum News CNY.
• 17 points: Kiyan Anthony’s team-high in the season opener, per Spectrum News CNY.
• November 15: Opening date for SU Abroad fall 2027 applications, per The Daily Orange.
• 9-6: Syracuse field hockey’s overall record entering the ACC Tournament, per The Daily Orange.
• 10 committees: Number of Syracuse Common Council committees, per The Daily Orange.
• 5 turnovers: Syracuse men’s basketball total in the opener, per Spectrum News CNY.

Where to check for updates

For the latest on Syracuse sports, city council meetings, and SU Abroad deadlines, visit official university, city, and ACC websites. For real-time road and traffic updates, see CNY Signal’s Syracuse traffic page.

📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Gerry McNamara , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)

Sources

• Syracuse.com, Syracuse basketball win and McNamara debut
• The Daily Orange, McNamara’s first win and game details
• Spectrum News CNY, Syracuse basketball game recap
• The Daily Orange, SU Abroad admissions changes
• The Daily Orange, Syracuse Common Council process and Northside water pressure
• The Daily Orange, SU field hockey ACC Tournament preview
• The Daily Orange, Syracuse women’s basketball season opener preview