Syracuse Basketball: Andy Katz is uber-high on the Orange in 2021-22

Although the 2021-22 campaign is still a few months ago, numerous bracketologists have come out with their pre-season mock projections, with Syracuse basketball often residing near the proverbial bubble, whether on the right side of it, or on the wrong one.

But for analyst and college basketball insider Andy Katz, he appears much more bullish on the Orange, at least for the time being. According to a story by NCAA.com’s Stan Becton, Katz has released his first projected field of 68 for the 2022 NCAA Tournament, and he has the ‘Cuse much higher than other bracketologists.

In fact, when Katz lists his rankings of the 68 teams, the Orange checks in as the second-highest among Atlantic Coast Conference squads, trailing only Virginia, which won the league’s regular-stanza crown last year.

I like the way Katz is viewing the potential of Syracuse basketball in 2021-22, even if other so-called experts don’t have such a rosy outlook for the ‘Cuse.

Syracuse basketball is highly seeded in a pre-season bracketology from Andy Katz.

So check this out. Katz has the Orange as a No. 5 seed in the West Region, where in the round of 64, it would square off with No. 12 seed Iona, a team whose head coach is Rick Pitino, the two-time national champion and an assistant on the Hill for head coach Jim Boeheim many moons ago. That’s too good.

Katz’s four No. 1 seeds are UCLA, Gonzaga, Texas and Purdue. Interestingly enough, he only has five ACC squads in his field of 68, and they are UVA, Syracuse basketball, Duke, North Carolina and Florida State. Hey, that’s some pretty nice company for the ‘Cuse.

The Cavaliers are a No. 4 seed, the Blue Devils and the Orange are No. 5 seeds, and the Tar Heels and the Seminoles are No. 6 seeds, according to Katz.

In terms of their overall rank among the 68 teams, Virginia is No. 16, Syracuse basketball is No. 18, Duke is No. 19, UNC is No. 21 and FSU is No. 23. I have to admit that I am surprised by Katz’s placement of the ‘Cuse. Pleasantly surprised, though.

The general assumption among national analysts, commentators and journalists is that the top-four ACC teams in 2021-22 will be, in no particular order, Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida State. If the Orange is just behind those four, I’m happy with this kind of outcome.

In case you’re wondering, ESPN’s resident bracketologist, Joe Lunardi, recently updated his mock field of 68. He has Syracuse basketball among his next four out.

Thanks, Andy, for believing.