Syracuse tips off basketball season, Westcott parades pups, Fayetteville book sale set
Central New York wakes up to SU basketball’s season opener, a packed Westcott Halloween Dog Parade, and Fayetteville’s book sale. Bargain books, costumed canines, and a new era for Orange hoops headline the morning.
By The Numbers
- 98%: Projected chance of Syracuse men’s basketball defeating New Haven in tonight’s opener, per the Daily Orange.
- 50 cents: Starting price for books at the Fayetteville Free Library’s Nov. 7 basement sale, according to Eagle News.
- Three times: Estimated increase in attendance at the Westcott Halloween Dog Parade compared to last year, per the Daily Orange.
- 14.3: Average turnovers per game for SU men’s basketball in preseason exhibitions, per the Daily Orange.
- 365: Number of Division I men’s basketball teams ranked by KenPom, with New Haven at 356th, per the Daily Orange.
- 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Hours for the Fayetteville Free Library’s book sale on Nov. 7, per Eagle News.
- Half-mile: Length of the Westcott Halloween Dog Parade route, per the Daily Orange.
- 2022: Year the Westcott Halloween Dog Parade launched, per the Daily Orange.
- 2028-29: Earliest season New Haven men’s basketball will be eligible for March Madness, per the Daily Orange.
- 81-57: Projected final score for SU vs. New Haven, per the Daily Orange.
- 300 Orchard St.: Address of the Fayetteville Free Library, per Eagle News.
- 5th annual: This year’s Westcott Halloween Dog Parade, per the Daily Orange.
SU men’s basketball launches McNamara era tonight at JMA Wireless Dome
Syracuse men’s basketball opens its 2026-27 season tonight against New Haven, marking the first official game for new head coach Gerry McNamara at the JMA Wireless Dome, according to the Daily Orange. The Orange are heavily favored, with a 98% chance of victory and a projected final score of 81-57.
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New Haven, ranked 356th out of 365 Division I teams by KenPom, enters its second year at the D-I level and lost its top three scorers to the transfer portal. The Chargers are ineligible for the NCAA Tournament until the 2028-29 season due to reclassification, per the Daily Orange.
McNamara, a former SU star and recent Siena head coach, brings a rebuilt roster to the Dome, including transfers from Appalachian State and Siena, as well as several freshmen. The Orange averaged 14.3 turnovers per game in their three exhibition contests, an area the team looks to improve as the regular season begins, according to the Daily Orange.
The first two games for Syracuse are considered forgiving, with Central Connecticut State up next, before the schedule ramps up against Indiana and St. John’s, both top-50 defensive teams per KenPom. Fans are expected to fill the Dome for McNamara’s debut, eager to see if the Orange can snap a five-year NCAA Tournament drought.
Westcott’s Halloween Dog Parade draws record crowd and creative costumes
The Westcott Neighborhood Association’s fifth annual Halloween Dog Parade brought a surge of costumed canines and their owners to Westcott Street on Saturday morning, the Daily Orange reports. Organizers estimate attendance was about three times higher than last year, with dogs dressed as bumblebees, pumpkins, mermaids, and even a hot dog.
The parade began in front of the Petit Branch Library and followed a half-mile route through the Westcott neighborhood. After the walk, attendees enjoyed apple cider donuts and cider, courtesy of the Summit Federal Credit Union, and live music from local brass band Second Line Syracuse, sponsored by CNY Arts.
Many owners joined in the fun by dressing up themselves, and the event’s quirky, family-friendly spirit reflected the neighborhood’s “keep Westcott weird” motto. The parade, launched in 2022, has grown each year and now features live jazz music, which organizers say has enhanced the festive atmosphere.
Participants came from across the Syracuse area, including Cicero and other suburbs, to join the festivities. The event highlighted the strong sense of community in Westcott and the broader city, with new residents and longtime locals mingling along the parade route.
Fayetteville Free Library hosts basement book sale Nov. 7
Bargain hunters and book lovers can mark their calendars for Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Fayetteville Free Library holds its biannual basement book sale at 300 Orchard St., according to Eagle News. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves as a fundraiser for the library.
Books will be available across a many genres, including biographies, cookbooks, true crime, language learning, business, health and wellness, religion, music, and picture books. Prices start as low as 50 cents, making it an accessible event for families and readers of all ages.
The sale is one of two held each year by the library and is a staple for Fayetteville and DeWitt residents looking to stock up on reading material or support their local library. Organizers expect a strong turnout, especially with the event falling during peak fall foliage and just ahead of the holiday season.
What else to know in Central New York today
- Marcellus and Fayetteville-Manlius girls soccer teams both captured sectional titles over the weekend, according to Eagle News.
- Cicero-North Syracuse girls soccer edged Baldwinsville in overtime to win the Section III Class AAA championship, per Syracuse.com.
- Baldwinsville’s marching band finished second at the state championships, with three Section III bands in the top four, Syracuse.com reports.
- October brought above-average sunshine and chilly nights, making for a spectacular foliage season across Central New York, according to LocalSYR.
Where to check for updates
For more on Syracuse University athletics, visit the Daily Orange. For library events, see Eagle News or the Fayetteville Free Library’s website. For local sports and community happenings, check Syracuse.com and LocalSYR.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Syracuse Orange football , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- Eagle News, Fayetteville Free Library book sale details
- Daily Orange, Syracuse men’s basketball season preview and projections
- Daily Orange, Westcott Halloween Dog Parade coverage
- LocalSYR, October weather and foliage summary
- Syracuse.com, Section III soccer and marching band results
