Syracuse Basketball: Opportunities, And Daunting Challenges, Await

The Syracuse basketball squad took care of Pittsburgh over the weekend, heads to Georgia Tech next, and then faces a grueling schedule in its stretch run.

Well, folks, we’re inching closer toward that final push in the 2017-18 regular season for our boys in Orange.

With 10 contests remaining, SU (15-6, 4-4) is still searching for its initial conquest of a ranked foe. However, this stanza to date, in my humble opinion, has proven a pleasant surprise. Given our dearth of depth, and an abundance of youth on the ‘Cuse roster, you can’t really complain about what’s transpired to this juncture.

Sure, I’d love it if Syracuse had sealed the deal against St. Bonaventure, Notre Dame and Florida State. An overall mark of 18-3 seems a lot sweeter than 15-6. Then again, if we didn’t squeak past Maryland and Georgetown, our record could currently amount to 13-8.

Basically, I’ll consider it a wash.

My magic number to have a realistic chance at the Big Dance is 20 triumphs prior to the ACC

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Tournament. I’m no math genius, but I believe this means we need to go 5-5 the rest of the way to finish at 20-11. Should we also secure our first-ever win in the ACC’s post-season tourney, that gets us to 21 victories.

If the Orange is left out of March Madness despite 21 successes, then I’ll truly feel at a loss for words.

Let’s put that aside for the moment and focus on the present. Yes, SU has come out on top three instances in a row to shake off a prior rut. But besting Pittsburgh twice, and Boston College once, isn’t exactly sending our resume soaring through the roof.

I’m an eternal optimist, though, and defeating the Panthers (8-14, 0-9) this past Saturday afternoon at their venue is important. Not because Pitt is particularly good. It’s because that result represents the inaugural road achievement in Atlantic Coast Conference competition for the ‘Cuse.

Syracuse failed to make the 2017 NCAA Tournament largely due to its poor performances away from the Carrier Dome. This go-round, it has beaten Connecticut, the Hoyas, and now the Panthers outside of Central New York.

The Orange must prevail on the road several more times to put itself in prime position to avoid the NIT – and go dancing in March.

Speaking of that, SU travels down to Atlanta on Wednesday night for a duel with Georgia Tech (10-11, 3-5). The Yellow Jackets have dropped four straight, albeit to some terrific teams: Clemson, FSU, North Carolina and Virginia.

On the year, GT possesses a few puzzling setbacks, like to Grambling, but it has also scored home wins against Miami and ND. Remember our outcome versus the Fighting Irish?

Yuck.

Both the ‘Cuse and the Yellow Jackets are pretty strong defensively, and both hoops outfits are relatively anemic on offense. I expect a bruising, grinding battle.

This is a pivotal game, and it won’t prove easy. Especially since freshman guard Howard Washington will not suit up due to a leg injury sustained Tuesday at practice, and the status of redshirt freshman forward Matthew Moyer, who has a sprained ankle, is not quite clear.

According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, as of Monday, he has Syracuse slotted as the last group in his projected field of 68.

Based on Lunardi’s prognostication, our guys have a razor-thin margin for error moving forward.

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With Duke, the Hurricanes, Louisville, UNC and UVA, among others, lurking in the near future for the Orange, a conquering of Georgia Tech appears absolutely necessary to keep that 20-victory benchmark firmly in sight.

And, simultaneously, help prevent our crew’s NCAA Tournament bubble from bursting.

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