Syracuse Basketball: Orange Bubble Watch- 2/20

(Note: All stats and info listed here or in analysis are according to ESPN.com.

Record vs. RPI Top 50: 3-5

Bad Losses : Wake Forest, Georgia Tech

Road W-L: 4-4

Analysis: The Orange have played well all season, especially on defense. When the offense finally kicks in just enough that’s when this Orange team picks up key wins like Louisville on the road and Miami on the road. The former win in Miami happened this past week after a crushing loss at home to fellow bubble team NC State. That win saved Syracuse for the time being on the bubble and put them squarely back in the thick of things. With North Carolina at home, then Duke on the road later this week, I truly believe the Orange need one of those two wins to get in or to make noise in the ACC tournament. That’s a tough road for the Orange, but its those chances that will make or break their season. We’ll update you shortly after the game Wednesday on where the Orange stand whether we win or lose.

According to Bracket Matrix (Y/N): Yes, they’re actually the last team in among the last four in.

Are they in currently? (my opinion): Yes, but as the last team in. The fact I wrote this part before I even looked at Bracketmatrix just goes to show how thin the room for error is. If everyone believes we’re the 68th team of a 68-team field then the Orange truly are on thin ice.

Record vs. RPI Top 50: 1-2

Bad Losses: Dayton, Niagara, Davidson, Saint Joseph’s

Road W-L: 7-4

Analysis: In my last bubble update this team was working its way off the bubble. However, with a win over a ranked Rhode Island squad who is considered the best team in the Atlantic 10, the Bonnies can now almost guarantee they’ll get in if they suffer no bad losses down the stretch. That’ how big quality wins are at this time of the year. The Bonnies did what they needed to do and they’re rewarded. They are still on the bubble in opinion, but might not be for much longer.

In According to Bracket Matrix (Y/N): Yes, they moved up all the way up to the first four in just above Syracuse.

Are they in currently? (my opinion): Yes. The huge win over Rhode Island was the massive win over a ranked team that this club needed. As long as they avoid a bad loss the rest of the way and take care of business they should feel more comfortable about getting in. I see them past the first four and as a 10 seed now. That’s a huge leap from last week, but that happens when you get the win you need when you don’t get a lot of opportunities to do so.