Syracuse women’s basketball is way more than a “sleeper Final Four team”

Syracuse women’s basketball is getting some solid praise from CBS Sports, but the Orange can soar to even greater heights than the pundits project.

Earlier this week, Inside The Loud House documented how Syracuse women’s basketball is primed for an absolutely stellar upcoming campaign.

With its deep returning rotation, an exquisite 2020 recruiting class and the distinct possibility that hero Tiana Mangakahia will come back to the ‘Cuse line-up, Syracuse should find itself ranked in the top 25 of pre-season polls as the 2020-21 term inches closer.

ESPN.com recently slotted the Orange at No. 23, and Matt Ward of CBS Sports this week placed the ‘Cuse at No. 20. Here’s what Ward had to say about Syracuse.

“We are all hopeful that Tiana Mangakahia will be granted another year of eligibility. Her fight and battle to beat and overcome breast cancer is inspiring. Also, don’t give Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman time to come up with plays and strategy–he will take advantage and win. His ‘napkin play’ last second win over Florida State at home was epic. The Orange will return four other starters from a team that, while their record wasn’t great, they were a play or two away from a number of top-25 wins. The Orange are a sleeper Final Four team.”

I dig what Ward has written about the ‘Cuse, although I might take exception to the characterization of Syracuse as a “sleeper” contender to reach the national semi-finals or beyond.

Frankly, if Mangakahia is allowed by the NCAA to play, and this talented squad is able to gel as a cohesive unit – mixing together seasoned veterans with five-star newbies – then the Orange will seriously vie for the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-stanza and post-season championships, and it could absolutely make a deep March Madness journey.

What transpired in 2016 is a delicious roadmap!

Everything is so premature at this juncture, but my gut tells me that Syracuse will compete for a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament when all is said and done.

In case you’re wondering about Ward’s ratings, his top five consists of South Carolina, Connecticut, Stanford, Arizona and Baylor. Other ACC members in his rankings are No. 6 N.C. State, No. 8 Louisville, No. 13 Notre Dame and No. 23 North Carolina.

It’s certainly not a guarantee that the 2020-21 campaign will start on time or even take place at all, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, but let’s stay positive. Orange women’s basketball is in store for special things this term.