Syracuse Basketball: Predicting solid record, ACC & post-season finishes

Syracuse basketball is nearing the start of 2020-21, and we provide an outlook on the team’s prospects.

Syracuse basketball, assuming the team gets the green light to play this coming Friday afternoon at home versus Bryant, is eyeing a 27-game, regular-season schedule, although at this juncture the Orange’s non-conference slate isn’t yet completed.

The ‘Cuse, assuming games aren’t canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, will suit up for 20 Atlantic Coast Conference clashes and then seven non-conference duels.

Based on official announcements from Syracuse basketball and various media reports, the Orange is likely to face off in the non-conference docket with Bryant, Rider, Rutgers, Buffalo, Binghamton, Georgetown and one other team, which I imagine would be a squad from New York state or nearby that would travel to the Hill.

Upon reviewing the ‘Cuse 2020-21 schedule, I’m projecting Syracuse basketball to finish at 17-10 in the regular stanza. That would entail an 11-9 ACC record and a 6-1 non-conference output.

I have the Orange’s only non-conference loss at Rutgers in the 2020 ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Here’s how Syracuse basketball will fare in its 2020-21 campaign.

In conference competition, I’m forecasting the ‘Cuse to sweep both Boston College and Pittsburgh 2-0, go 0-2 versus North Carolina, and record 1-1 marks against Louisville, Clemson and N.C. State.

I then have Syracuse basketball beating Miami, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech in Central New York, as well as Wake Forest on the road. Conversely, I think that the Orange will fall to Florida State at home, and Duke, Virginia and Georgia Tech away from the Carrier Dome.

An overall 17-10 finish will put the ‘Cuse in a tie with Miami for sixth place within the ACC standings, and the Orange will notch the No. 6 seed in the league’s post-season tournament.

Syracuse basketball will win its opening-round game then lose in the quarterfinals to the No. 3 seed, Florida State. That makes the ‘Cuse 18-11. With some solid victories, the Orange will hear its name called on Selection Sunday as a No. 9 seed.

After besting its round of 64 foe, No. 8 seed Connecticut (yes!), the ‘Cuse will see its 2020-21 term end in a closely fought defeat at the hands of No. 1 seed Gonzaga.

Thus, Syracuse basketball concludes 2020-21 at 19-12. Not a spectacular showing, but certainly a decent one.