Syracuse basketball, dead in water a month ago, peaking at the right time

Toward the end of February, Syracuse basketball had just lost tough road games to both Duke and Georgia Tech. The 2020-21 regular season was winding down, and the Orange was pretty far removed from the Big Dance bubble, according to the majority of bracketologists.

It proved pretty simple for the ‘Cuse at that juncture in the campaign. The Orange had to defeat North Carolina and Clemson, each on the Hill, to have any shot of getting into the 2021 NCAA Tournament, save for winning the Atlantic Coast Conference’s post-season tournament.

Syracuse basketball gutted out a two-point victory over the Tar Heels, a team that has owned the Orange in recent years. The ‘Cuse then smoked the Tigers to pick up some much-needed momentum heading into the ACC Tournament.

In that event’s second round, Syracuse basketball crushed a red-shot N.C. State squad, and then the Orange played No. 1 seed Virginia even until the final possession, when the Cavaliers hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to prevail.

Still, with a 3-1 mark in those four contests, the ‘Cuse entered Selection Sunday with a solid 16-9 record and a NET ranking of around No. 40 nationally.

Orange Nation, as has often been the case in recent terms, had to sweat out that Sunday evening when the field of 68 got announced. Syracuse basketball managed to avoid a First Four battle and received a No. 11 seed.

Syracuse basketball is competing at an elite level these days.

You know what’s transpired since then. In the round of 64, the ‘Cuse absolutely crushed No. 6 seed San Diego State, a team that shoots really well from deep and is exceptional on defense. No problem.

Then, in the round of 32 against No. 3 seed West Virginia, the Orange was stellar from beyond the arc, built up a huge lead, and held off the Mountaineers for a three-point triumph. The ‘Cuse was able to reach the Sweet 16 despite West Virginia demolishing the Orange on the glass.

Undeniably, the ‘Cuse is playing its best basketball of the season, something that head coach Jim Boeheim and junior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim discussed in separate Zoom calls with media members on Wednesday night.

For Syracuse basketball to gut out some of the wins that it has achieved over the past few weeks is a testament to this group’s grit and toughness.

This coming Saturday evening, the Orange will face perhaps its biggest challenge of 2020-21, as the ‘Cuse will go toe to toe with No. 2 seed and top-10 team Houston in the regional semi-finals.

Jim Boeheim noted that earlier in the present stanza, Syracuse basketball was struggling at times from 3-point land. That includes his son, Buddy, as well as sophomore point guard Joe Girard III.

Lately, the Orange is faring well from beyond the arc, and that’s opening up driving lanes for the team, too. Plus, Syracuse basketball has improved on the defensive end, Jim Boeheim says.

Buddy Boeheim said that it’s “night and day” from where the ‘Cuse was at the beginning of the season to where the squad is now. He cited the team’s fight in making several large second-half comebacks versus opponents such as N.C. State and Notre Dame.

Shots are falling, yes, but Orange players in the 2-3 zone are also communicating better and executing defensive rotations more effectively, Boeheim said.

Defeating North Carolina and Clemson at the Carrier Dome was huge, he added, and these days Syracuse basketball is suiting up with supreme confidence. That’s exactly what the ‘Cuse will need if it wants to upset Houston in the Sweet 16.