Syracuse basketball shows can hang with the big boys after two latest wins

In a span of just three days, Syracuse basketball dispatched two high-quality Atlantic Coast Conference foes inside the Carrier Dome to keep its 2021 NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

After squeaking by bruising North Carolina on Monday night by two points, the Orange clamped down on defense in handling Clemson on Wednesday evening, 64-54, in Central New York.

That pair of triumphs for the ‘Cuse (15-8, 9-7) came after the team lost rough road contests to both Duke and Georgia Tech. For the Orange to regroup and rebound versus the Tar Heels and the Tigers (15-6, 9-6) speaks volumes about the character of the Syracuse basketball roster.

A couple of things to keep in mind here. North Carolina and Clemson each defeated the Orange away from the Hill earlier this season. The Tigers, in fact, totally dominated the ‘Cuse.

What’s more, UNC and Clemson have both recorded strong success against Syracuse basketball in recent campaigns. In besting the Tigers on senior night, for example, the Orange improved to just 5-7 overall in its all-time series with Clemson.

Additionally, the Tar Heels and the Tigers are each top-seven squads in the ACC standings and top-50 groups in the NET rankings. So it’s not like the ‘Cuse conquered two cupcakes.

Syracuse basketball heads into the ACC Tournament with some positive momentum.

After his team outlasted Clemson, Orange head coach Jim Boeheim acknowledged in a Zoom call with media members that the Tigers and North Carolina present challenging match-ups for the ‘Cuse, since both of these opponents are physical.

Plus, entering its encounter with Syracuse basketball, Clemson had won five in a row and was playing as well as any squad in the conference.

Versus the Tar Heels and the Tigers, the Orange held a sizable advantage coming down the stretch in the second half. The ‘Cuse nearly coughed up its lead against UNC, but Syracuse basketball was able to maintain a comfortable margin over Clemson.

Boeheim was asked in his virtual call if the Orange could play another regular-season game this weekend. He said that more likely than not, the ‘Cuse has wrapped up the regular stanza and will prepare for the ACC Tournament, which will take place from March 9-13 in Greensboro, N.C.

A lot of Syracuse basketball fans figured that the team was toast after falling to the Blue Devils and the Yellow Jackets. Not so fast. The Orange has some confidence and could be a dangerous out next week.

Boeheim noted that his boys have “fought hard” and “played with a lot of heart” in every game during the 2020-21 campaign. I wholeheartedly agree with Coach B.