Syracuse Basketball Predictions: Can the Orange win the national title?

Mat Mlodzinski (contributor)

ACC Finish: Third

NCAA Tournament Finish: Final Four

This is going to be a special season for Syracuse basketball.

The Orange bring back virtually their whole entire team from a year ago, who found themselves in a Sweet 16 run. Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett will lead the team, with Frank Howard providing senior leadership for the squad.

The Orange should be stifling defensively, with length at all positions, including 7-foot-2 Paschal Chukwu and 6-foot-7 guard Elijah Hughes.

Finally, this will be a very deep roster, with 11 players that could be deserving of quality playing time at some point of another during the season.

My overall prediction – this team will be in the Final Four. I like the defense, shooting, and overall demeanor of this team, in a very young ACC and overall NCAA. I’ll hold off past what happens after that Final Four prediction – but I think it’ll be very special to say the least.