Syracuse basketball sits firmly on the bubble, so let’s take a quick look at some of today’s games that impacted SU’s chance to dance.
It’s nail-biting time, Syracuse basketball fans! We’re down to just a single day before SU’s fate is decided. Will they be dancing, or will they be hosting a game in the NIT?
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There were some key games today that will help to decide SU’s postseason fate. First up was the Michigan Purdue game. Michigan came in still lacking a lot of signature wins, and even after a great victory over Indiana yesterday, their resume wasn’t quite as strong as Syracuse. Michigan has a better RPI, but is just 4-10 vs. top 50 teams to SU’s 5-6. SU has eight wins over the top 100 to Michigan’s four.
It’s going to be close and Michigan could be the team that keeps SU out ultimately, but my gut tells me that’s not the case.
Another very important game for SU was the UConn vs. Temple game. With UConn’s win yesterday over Cincinnati, it was thought that could be enough to get them in. With today’s win, that’s almost assured. Although that’s one spot less, it also gives SU an even bigger quality win since we beat UConn in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Also, with Cincinnati losing yesterday, there’s a chance we leapfrog them and take their spot for the dance. To compound that, Temple was a bubble team themselves, and this loss might have been just enough for Cuse to jump over them as well. This was probably the best case scenario given UConn winning yesterday.
The SEC tournament had a pair of very important games as well. Texas A&M vs. LSU was a big one for two reasons. First off, an A&M win gave Syracuse basketball an even bigger boost after having also beaten the Aggies in the B4A final. Also, it rules out the possibility of LSU running the table and getting an automatic bid, something that would have possibly been the nail in SU’s coffin. Thankfully, A&M stomped LSU to put to bed any thoughts of the Tigers dancing.
The second game featured Kentucky against Georgia. As much as I absolutely despise Kentucky and their revolving door system, as a Syracuse basketball fan we needed them to win. Again, Georgia had zero chance of making the NCAA tourney without winning the SEC. Thankfully, Kentucky pulled it out and put that to rest. And now I feel dirty for being thankful Kentucky won. I need a shower.
Another important game was the Davidson VCU game. VCU was a bubble team as well, although after today they are likely in. Although that may seem bad for SU, it also means Davidson can’t win their tourney and sneak in as automatic bid. If VCU wins tomorrow, it would actually end up being very good for the Orange.
Next: Syracuse Basketball: Player Grades
The last important game for Syracuse basketball is currently being played between San Diego State and Fresno State. Right now SDSU is narrowly winning, and that’s what we want. They are almost assuredly in the field, win or lose. If Fresno State wins, they get the automatic qualifier and the bubble shrinks even more.
It very well could come down to the winner of this last game, so tune in if you aren’t already for the last 10 minutes.