Syracuse Sits Mark Morano for UConn Exhibition With Leg Injury

Syracuse will begin its 2026-27 men's basketball exhibition schedule without freshman forward Mark Morano, who is recovering from a minor lower leg injury ahead of Tuesday's matchup against UConn at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Oct. 13 game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff as the Orange evaluate their roster before the regular season.

According to syracuse.com, a school official confirmed that Morano had recently returned to practice but had not received clearance for full-contact activity. His absence appears precautionary, although the team has not provided a timetable for his return.

Morano, a 6-foot-6 forward from Slovenia, has represented his country at the national-team level. His availability is one factor Syracuse will monitor as it prepares for the season under head coach Gerry McNamara.

The Orange will use the exhibition against Connecticut to assess their offensive approach, defensive capabilities and player rotations. A preview published by Nunes Magician highlighted the importance of evaluating returning players Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White Jr., alongside newcomers expected to compete for roles.

Syracuse is also expected to examine its bench depth and defensive matchups against a Connecticut team known for its established offensive system. The exhibition provides an early opportunity to evaluate personnel and identify areas requiring improvement before competitive games begin.

UConn enters the preseason following a 34-6 campaign in 2025-26 that ended with a national runner-up finish at the Final Four after winning the NCAA East Regional, according to the university's athletics department.

Head coach Dan Hurley begins his ninth season leading the Huskies, who have reached six consecutive NCAA Tournaments and three Final Fours in four years. Connecticut's returning backcourt includes BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year Silas Demary Jr. and preseason first-team all-conference selection Braylon Mullins.

However, UConn will also be managing personnel absences. The university reported that Solo Ball was out indefinitely following offseason wrist surgery, while CT Insider's coverage of the women's team's exhibition activities noted that Braylon Mullins had recently returned to live practices and was expected to miss Tuesday's men's matchup.

Connecticut has added 10 newcomers for the 2026-27 season, comprising three freshmen and seven transfers. BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year Colben Landrew leads the incoming freshman group, alongside Egor Amosov and Junior County. The transfers include Elmir Dzafic, Oskar Giltay, Na'jai Hines, Nik Khamenia, Nils Machowski, Jaye Nash and Isaiah Shaw.

The exhibition renews a long-running rivalry between the former conference opponents. UConn's athletics department lists Connecticut's all-time record against Syracuse at 39-56, excluding the preseason meeting. The programs were both founding members of the BIG EAST and played regularly from the mid-1950s until Syracuse left the conference in 2013.

The teams have met four times since then, splitting those games 2-2 at neutral sites. Their most recent meeting was Nov. 15, 2018, when UConn defeated No. 15 Syracuse 83-76 in the 2K Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Tuesday's contest is the first of three scheduled preseason exhibitions for each program. Syracuse will face Siena in Albany on Sunday before meeting Niagara in Buffalo on Oct. 24, while UConn is scheduled to play Michigan State in Lansing and Purdue in Hartford.

Syracuse opens its regular season against New Haven on Nov. 2 at the JMA Wireless Dome. UConn is also scheduled to begin its regular season on Nov. 2, facing Gardner-Webb at PeoplesBank Arena.