Syracuse Basketball: If this is it, the Orange went out with a bang

Syracuse basketball, unfortunately, won’t have the opportunity to play Louisville on Thursday evening, with the ACC Tournament shutting down.

Syracuse basketball isn’t going to the Big Dance, if March Madness does ultimately occur, and the Orange probably won’t get to the NIT, either, assuming that event is canceled.

So the 2019-20 campaign for the ‘Cuse has presumably come to a halt, and of course, it’s a bummer. However, Syracuse has likely finished up this term on a high note, exacting revenge versus North Carolina on Wednesday night and snapping a nine-affair skid to the Tar Heels.

The novel coronavirus is a global pandemic and a serious health concern. It’s the right move by officials with the Atlantic Coast Conference and other leagues to cancel their post-season tournaments. We all have to exercise an abundance of caution in the current climate.

Given this situation is rapidly changing, and escalating, I imagine that at some point sooner rather than later, the NCAA Tournament will get canceled or at least postponed. March Madness is my favorite few weeks of the year, and this is sad. But if the NBA has suspended its present stanza, I don’t know how the NCAA can move forward with its tourney.

The only manner in which the Orange would have reached the Big Dance is by winning the ACC Tournament. That chance has gotten shelved.

If the NIT doesn’t transpire, then the ‘Cuse will wrap up 2019-20 at 18-14, which is precisely where I figured that Syracuse would land, due to its young roster.

Should redshirt junior forward Elijah Hughes forgo his last term of eligibility in favor of the pros, then his final contest in an Orange uniform proved spectacular. Against UNC, he collected a stellar 27 points and seven rebounds.

Hughes put forth one of the finest campaigns in recent Orange hoops history, and I have every confidence that he will tremendously succeed at the next level.

The ‘Cuse has experienced a roller-coaster ride in 2019-20, yet this crew’s manhandling of the Tar Heels provides a nice confidence boost as Syracuse heads into the off-season.

It’s feasible that a guy or two may elect to transfer, but the Orange has a pair of strong 2020 recruits and is exploring the grad-transfer market as well.

The ‘Cuse big men did some awesome things in the North Carolina encounter, and if they bulk up a bit, perform more consistently and avoid foul trouble, then Syracuse may surprise some folks come this fall.

One interesting nugget following the Orange’s domination of the Tar Heels. In 2019-20, the ‘Cuse sported a nifty 7-0 record when competing against an opponent for a second occasion. If that’s not solid coaching, then I don’t know what is.

I get that many Syracuse fans aren’t super happy with how 2019-20 turned out. For now, I’ll focus on the notion that it has likely culminated with a bright spot, albeit in a difficult and scary time for us all. Stay safe, my friends.