Syracuse Basketball: Predictions for Orange in ACC Tournament

Mat Mlodzinski (20-11)
Prediction: 1 more win

With the ACC Tournament kicking off this Tuesday, with Cuse set to play either Pitt or BC on Wednesday night, the Orange find themselves in a spot they’re all to used to in recent years. Here’s what they need to do to be safe in the Big Dance and more.

One win in the ACC Tournament and Cuse can sleep safely at night knowing that they will be in the NCAA Tournament. In all honesty, even if they don’t win, I still think they’re in, based on an over .500 ACC record and the Duke win plus others.

I think the worst seed the Orange can come away with is an 11 seed, but an ACC Tournament Title could skyrocket Jim Boeheim’s squad all the way up to a 6-7 seed.

Overall, this team put a bit too much pressure on the end of the season. If they had come away with a win against Old Dominion or Georgia Tech and already have 20 wins, this team would be a lock, but there’s still that small chance that a 19-13 team gets left out thanks to an ACC Tourney exit at the hands of Pitt or BC.

One thing to note is that the ACC Tournament has not been kind to the Cuse since they joined the conference. Jim Boeheim’s squad only has one tournament win, which came last year – and ultimately was a huge key in the Orange making the Big Dance.

Again, I think Syracuse will be in, but it’s still just a small chance that’s lingering in the air where the Orange get left out. A loss and they’re sweating. A win and they’re in. Semifinal appearance or better and an 8 seed and above. Not what Cuse fans wanted at this point in the season, but it will still be a tough team to eliminate come March Madness.