The thought of Georgetown potentially stealing a bid from Syracuse basketball or another bubble team is tough for a lot of Orange fans to stomach. I get it.
Personally, I don’t possess those kinds of negative feelings toward the Hoyas. I was born in Washington, D.C., grew up near our nation’s capital, and have lived much of my adult life in or around the District of Columbia.
Frankly, I root for Georgetown all the time, except when they play the ‘Cuse. I’m a big fan of the legendary Patrick Ewing, a star in college and the NBA who is putting Georgetown on a positive path.
I know, I know. Call me disloyal. I can take it. That being said, when the Hoyas take on Creighton in the Big East Conference Tournament championship game on Saturday night, I’ll adamantly cheer on the Bluejays to prevail.
That’s because Georgetown, if it wins, will earn the Big East’s automatic berth to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, and in doing so, the Hoyas could in essence steal a bid from Syracuse basketball or other groups near the cutline for the field of 68.
Syracuse fans always root against Georgetown. It's going to reach another level on Saturday night. https://t.co/lgvhSQLgCQ
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 13, 2021
Then again, given current bracketology projections, maybe the Orange isn’t near the proverbial bubble as much any longer. That’s what a lot of ‘Cuse fans believe.
Syracuse basketball continues to trend toward making March Madness.
The latest metrics from the Bracket Matrix Web site have the Orange in 113 projected fields of 68, with an average seed of 11.72. Syracuse basketball saw its NET ranking fall one position, from No. 39 to No. 40, in the newly updated ratings. That’s still a solid number.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the ‘Cuse as his best team in the last four in category.
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm has moved the Orange above his last four in at this juncture, and he is placing Syracuse basketball as a No. 11 seed in the East Region, with a predicted showdown versus No. 6 seed Colorado.
Besides the Hoyas, other possible bid stealers to watch out for on Saturday include Cincinnati, Memphis and Oregon State.
Cincinnati is suiting up against Wichita State, while Memphis battles top-10 Houston, in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
Oregon State is going to clash with Colorado in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament final game.
Just for good measure, ‘Cuse fans should root for San Diego State to knock off Utah State in the title contest of the Mountain West Conference Tournament, although Utah State is likely going to make the Big Dance regardless of that outcome, according to many bracketologists.