Heading into its home affair against No. 16 Virginia this past Saturday afternoon, Syracuse basketball possessed a somewhat pedestrian resume as it pertains to a possible 2021 NCAA Tournament berth, according to national pundits.
A pasting of the Hokies by the Orange is certainly changing some of the conversation in a more positive direction for the ‘Cuse (9-4, 3-3), which has now blasted its two most recent Atlantic Coast Conference foes while displaying a much better defensive output.
This statistic is pretty crazy. On Jan. 16, Syracuse basketball gave up 64 points in the second half at Pittsburgh, as the Panthers cruised to a 20-point victory. In its two contests since that awful defensive performance, the Orange has limited Miami and Virginia Tech each to fewer total points than the ‘Cuse allowed in one half versus Pitt.
That shows you how bad Syracuse basketball proved against the Panthers, and how improved the Orange’s 2-3 zone has fared following that debacle.
Without question, handling a top-25 Hokies outfit inside the Carrier Dome provides a confidence boost to the ‘Cuse, and it arms the squad with a signature win for its 2021 March Madness resume.
Syracuse basketball has a massive chance to bolster its tourney metrics.
Another monumental opportunity for a high-quality triumph awaits Syracuse basketball on Monday evening, when the Orange travels to Charlottesville, Va., to take on No. 13 Virginia.
The Cavaliers (10-2, 6-0) are presently leading the ACC standings and are also the highest-ranked league team in the Associated Press AP top-25 poll.
Naturally, knocking off UVA on the road is a herculean challenge for the ‘Cuse, but should it occur, then we can really start to talk about Syracuse basketball as a potential candidate for the 2021 Big Dance.
As of games through Jan. 23, the Cavaliers are No. 8 in the NCAA NET ratings. After its conquest of Virginia Tech, the Orange climbed from No. 48 to No. 36. One can only imagine what the ‘Cuse NET would look like if it prevails at Virginia.
Over at kenpom.com, UVA checks in at No. 9. Syracuse basketball is a solid No. 35, with an adjusted offensive efficiency of No. 25 and an adjusted defensive efficiency of No. 56. If the Orange keeps on improving its adjusted defensive efficiency, this team will be dangerous come March.
Prognosticators on the Bracket Matrix Web site view the Cavaliers as a No. 3 seed in the Big Dance. The ‘Cuse is on the proverbial bubble, with the Orange currently on the outside looking in.
However, all four of its defeats – to Pittsburgh twice, North Carolina and Rutgers – are to teams that could certainly make the 2021 NCAA Tournament, although the Scarlet Knights are struggling a tad these days.
Syracuse basketball owns wins over Bryant and Northeastern, two squads viewed as likely March Madness participants. Succeeding over Virginia Tech was huge, and an achievement in Charlottesville on Monday would prove monstrous for the ‘Cuse.