Let’s take a look at Syracuse Basketball’s prior ACC tourney appearances

The Syracuse basketball squad has yet to win a game in the ACC Tournament, and ITLH examines what occurred in past contests.

The SU hoops outfit is set to take on Wake Forest this Tuesday night in the opening round of the ACC Tournament at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Orange (19-12, 8-10) is in desperate need of a strong run in this tourney to have any realistic opportunity to make March Madness.

Now in its fifth year as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the ‘Cuse has failed to collect a triumph in the league’s tournament since joining the conference. We’re all hoping that this trend reverses in short order.

In the meantime, although painful, we figured it might prove “relevant” to briefly digest all of these previous affairs.

2013-14:

Syracuse rattled off 25 straight successes to start this stanza, a school record, but it unfortunately faded down the stretch. As the No. 2 seed in the ACC tourney, the Orange did battle in the quarterfinals with N.C. State, the No. 7 seed. The Wolfpack held a 10-point lead after intermission, but the ‘Cuse mounted a comeback to keep things close. With about 2:30 to go in the second half, a N.C. State player banked in the go-ahead 3-pointer, and the Wolfpack ultimately prevailed, 66-63. SU had a chance to tie the clash toward the end, but we missed six shots, including four from downtown. Yuck. Syracuse, which attained the No. 1 national ranking during this campaign, would garner a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, bowing out to Dayton, a No. 11 seed, in the Round of 32.

2014-15:

SU did not compete in the ACC Tournament, due to a self-imposed post-season ban stemming around various NCAA violations. The Orange, among other things, would have to vacate wins (lame) and see its scholarships reduced for several seasons, which has certainly hurt the program. On the bright side, at least we didn’t lose in the ACC tourney!

2015-16:

The ‘Cuse squared off with former Big East rival Pittsburgh in the second round of the ACC Tournament. Both groups, firmly on the Big Dance bubble, needed a victory to feel better about getting into the NCAA tourney. Syracuse, the No. 9 seed, fell behind by 14 points in the second half to the Panthers, the No. 8 seed. But the Orange clawed its way back and knotted the duel at 68 with approximately two minutes left. However, a SU turnover allowed Pitt to go back in front, and Trevor Cooney’s 3-point attempt, which would have won the game, proved off the mark just before the final buzzer sounded. The Panthers escaped, 72-71. Regardless, the ‘Cuse managed to hear its name called on Selection Sunday, much to the chagrin of analysts and prognosticators around the country. We only made matters worse by, as a No. 10 seed, going on a miraculous journey to the Final Four, crushing No. 1 seed Virginia’s heart in the process. We’re sorry for that – sort of.

2016-17:

Once again on the NCAA Tournament bubble, Syracuse got paired in the ACC tourney’s second round with Miami. The Hurricanes, the No. 9 seed, held the edge for the bulk of this battle with SU, the No. 8 seed. But the ‘Cuse hung around and had an opportunity to triumph. A pivotal moment transpired in the waning minutes, when Tyus Battle missed a dunk, and Miami in turn got a bucket out in transition. A devastating four-point swing. Then, John Gillon’s 3-point launch in the last few seconds, which would have tied the score, didn’t connect. The Hurricanes advanced, 62-57. Despite three top-10 accomplishments, the Orange’s ugly 2-11 record away from the Carrier Dome in this term prevented Syracuse from going dancing in March. Rather, SU, the No. 1 overall seed in the NIT, got bounced in the second round, at home, to Ole Miss. Ugh.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Predictions, SU vs Wake Forest (ACC Tournament)

2017-18:

Stay tuned, but praying for that first ACC Tournament conquest. Boy oh boy, do we have to have it!