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Syracuse Basketball: Top 10 things we wish were April Fools’ jokes

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim reacts in the first half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim reacts in the first half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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10. Syracuse losing at home to Buffalo, Old Dominion, and Georgia Tech

Even reading this, I’m still not sure that it really happened. But folks it actually did. The Syracuse basketball squad entered the season with super high expectations but it didn’t take long for reality to slap the Orange in the face.

Things started awry in New York City when Syracuse lost to both UConn and Oregon. In the past, these kinds of early season tournaments have benefitted the Cuse as it pertains to their tournament resume, but this time around it put them in an early hole.

After winning five in a row, Syracuse then ran into a unique buzzsaw they aren’t used to, another two-game losing streak in nonconference play. This time to Old Dominion and Buffalo. In fairness, Buffalo was heralded as one of the top teams in the country (their No. 14 overall ranking backs that). But Old Dominion wasn’t a big name coming in and beat the Orange with stellar defense.

In hindsight, both Buffalo and Old Dominion ended up making the NCAA Tournament and overall SU’s nonconference schedule was one of the toughest in the entire country. The loss to Buffalo gave SU their fourth loss in nonconference play, anytime previously under Jim Boeheim a team that has suffered that fate had never made it to March Madness. Until this past season for the Orange.

Throw in the embarrassing loss to Georgia Tech who was awful at the time and terrible overall and it’s a really tough pill to swallow. When I look back I wish it was a joke, but honestly, it wasn’t.

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