Syracuse basketball, with UVA win, ‘can earn a place on the national map’

Two national pundits are highlighting the importance of Monday night’s game between Syracuse basketball and top-10 Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., as it pertains to the Orange’s post-season resume.

The ‘Cuse (9-4, 3-3) picked up its first victory over a nationally ranked foe over the weekend, as the Orange trounced Virginia Tech inside the Carrier Dome.

Now Syracuse basketball is set to duel with Atlantic Coast Conference leader UVA on Monday evening at 7 pm. The Cavaliers (10-2, 6-0), newly minted in the Associated Press top-25 poll as the No. 8 team across the country, are riding a six-game success streak.

Odds-makers deem Virginia as a seven-point favorite in this critical ACC clash for the Orange, a squad whose metrics for the 2021 NCAA Tournament got a nice boost after the ‘Cuse upset the Hokies. However, Syracuse basketball would receive an even greater bump in a positive direction should it manage to knock off the Cavaliers.

Syracuse basketball has a terrific chance to bolster its Big Dance hopes at UVA.

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein has written a piece that includes some high praise for Orange sophomore forward Quincy Guerrier, who is having a tremendous 2020-21 campaign to date.

Rothstein notes the importance of Guerrier, on offense, creating space for the ‘Cuse perimeter shooters, and also him remaining active within the 2-3 zone as Syracuse basketball tries to prevent Virginia from going off beyond the arc.

"“So why isn’t Guerrier more of a household name nationally? Thus far, his team hasn’t been a major topic of conversation, but that can change tonight when the Orange travel to Virginia,” Rothstein writes, while adding, “Both Syracuse and Guerrier can earn a place on the national map if the Orange can get a win tonight in Charlottesville.”"

The majority of bracketologists presently don’t have the Orange in their mock fields of 68, but the ‘Cuse isn’t that far away from inclusion.

CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish agrees with his colleague Rothstein about the magnitude of this ACC affair for the Orange. Parrish says that the Syracuse basketball battle with the Cavaliers gives the Orange “an opportunity to enhance their resume and get on the right side of the bubble.”

No ‘Cuse fan, myself included, will be surprised if the team falls at top-10 UVA. But if Syracuse basketball stuns Virginia, it will do wonders for the Orange’s 2021 March Madness resume.