SU Looks Like The Last Team In, Or The First One Out

Syracuse Basketball is squarely on the bubble and today we learn the Orange’s fate. One thing seems certain: either we’re just in, or just out.

Selection Sunday is here, boys and girls. And, for all you diehard Syracuse fans out there, myself included, we are squarely on pins and needles today. The Syracuse Basketball squad awaits its fate, which is likely either the NCAA Tournament’s First Four in Dayton, or a top seed in the NIT.

More from Syracuse Basketball

• Syracuse Basketball: 4-star Elijah Moore not in top 100, and I don’t get that
• Syracuse basketball 4-star west-coast recruit, in new rankings, into top 20
• Syracuse basketball is hitting D.C. market hard in pursuit of 4-stars, 5-stars
• Syracuse Basketball: Orange has offered 4-stars who played at Elite Camp
• Syracuse Basketball: 4-star PG joins 4-star Elijah Moore in Overtime Elite

I’m praying for the former, but honestly will not feel surprised by either outcome. The Orange (18-14) has perhaps the most polarizing resume of all the bubble outfits. Fantastic conquests of top-10 opponents, a half-dozen RPI top-50 triumphs and 10 successes in the ultra-competitive ACC.

Conversely, there are horrible setbacks to lowly groups like St. John’s, Georgetown, Connecticut and Boston College, as well as a poor road record and a dreadful non-conference performance.

I think it comes down to what the NCAA Selection Committee values the most. If it’s high-quality wins, Syracuse is seemingly in good shape. However, if the committee is turned off by a 2-11 mark away from Central New York, or the ‘Cuse’s wretched 8-5 out-of-conference position, then other bubble bunches such as Kansas State, Rhode Island (assuming it doesn’t capture the A-10 Tournament later today), and Southern California are probably getting in over our beloved Orange.

As I’ve said before, in my humble opinion, SU is one of the best 68 teams in the country. Syracuse can claim victories in the Big Dance. It all depends on whether the committee agrees. At this point, the bulk of bracketologists has the ‘Cuse on the outside looking in.

The Bracket Matrix Web site, which compiles an aggregate listing of 126 mock brackets, shows the Orange with an average seed of 11.59 and in the field of 68 in 41 of the 126 projected brackets as of late Saturday night. Based on this data, SU is currently the first squad on the bubble’s wrong side.

In terms of those who are in the Orange’s corner, so to speak, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi presently has Syracuse in, as a No. 11 seed in the East Region. In his bracket, the ‘Cuse would match up with fellow No. 11 seed Rhode Island in the First Four, with the winner to take on the No. 6 seed, Michigan.

Sports Illustrated’s Web site also has SU in the First Four, but as a No. 12 seed in the Midwest Region, pairing up with another No. 12 seed, USC. The program that prevails there would then do battle with the No. 5 seed, Cincinnati.

SB Nation’s Web site also has Syracuse as a No. 12 seed in the Midwest Region, facing off in the First Four with Rhode Island, a No. 12 seed. Similar to Sports Illustrated, the victor would clash with Cincinnati, the No. 5 seed.

Other respected bracketologists such as Andy Bottoms, Patrick Stevens and Jerry Palm with CBS Sports are not giving the ‘Cuse any love. But, look at it this way: most so-called experts had the Orange out of March Madness a year ago. Not only did Syracuse sneak in, it secured a No. 10 seed, and went all the way to the Final Four.

Perhaps the committee will keep that in mind this time around, and give Jim Boeheim & Co. another shot at making some noise. Then again, if the ‘Cuse doesn’t hear its name called this evening, it will surely disappoint. But Syracuse has no room to complain. It had tons of opportunities to lock up a bid.

Next: Syracuse Basketball Roundtable: Is Cuse In Or Out?

The next few hours are going to take forever. Hopefully, the pain-staking wait will prove worth it, because SU will get the chance to dance.