Syracuse will square off with Virginia Commonwealth in the first of its three games at the 2021 Battle for Atlantis on Nov. 24 in Paradise Island, Bahamas. The competitive field also includes Arizona State, Auburn, defending NCAA Champion Baylor, Connecticut, Loyola-Chicago, and Michigan State.
Series Notes
- Syracuse has captured the previous three meetings with the Rams.
- The first encounter between the two programs in the 1984 NCAA Tournament. The Orange emerged with a 78-63 victory.
- The other two pairings both occurred in Syracuse’s Carrier Classic. The Orange won in 1989, 100-73, and in 1992, 94-81.
Syracuse claimed the championship the last time the team was in the Battle for Atlantis, in 2015. The Orange defeated Charlotte, #18 Connecticut and #25 Texas A&M to earn the crown.
Virginia Commonwealth was 19-7 overall last winter and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament but did not participate due to COVID-19 protocols. Mike Rhoades has guided the Rams to an 80-43 record in his four seasons at the helm.
Syracuse was 18-10 last season and secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The 11th-seeded Orange upset San Diego St. and West Virginia to advance to the Sweet 16 before losing to Final Four-bound Houston.
Ticket information for the Battle for Atlantis is available at this link: atlantisbahamas.com/battle4atlantis.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].