Syracuse Basketball: Here’s the path to score 20-plus wins this season

Syracuse basketball did what Syracuse basketball does during this past spring’s NCAA Tournament, as the double-digit seeded Orange knocked off a few teams in route to a Sweet 16 appearance, an 18-10 overall record and a No. 25 ranking in the final Coaches poll.

Now the ‘Cuse is preparing for the upcoming 2021-22 campaign, and the team recently learned its full schedule after Atlantic Coast Conference officials unveiled the league’s docket.

As I’ve said a couple of times lately, the Orange has a pretty brutal and exciting non-conference slate, and its ACC calendar is no picnic, either.

At the same time, the sizable amount of strong opponents in 2021-22 presents Syracuse basketball with many opportunities to build a post-season resume that will enable the ‘Cuse to hear its name called on Selection Sunday.

This is my initial projection of how Syracuse basketball will fare in 2021-22.

Okay, I’ve listed below each game for the Orange this season, and how I think the ‘Cuse will do in every encounter. Then I’ll have some further comments after the listing of contests.

Tuesday, Nov. 9: Lafayette at home
Win

Sunday, Nov. 14: Drexel at home
Win

Saturday, Nov. 20: Colgate at home
Win

Wednesday, Nov. 24: VCU at 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis
Win

Thursday, Nov. 25: Arizona State/Baylor at 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis
Loss (to Baylor)

Friday, Nov. 26: Auburn/UConn/Loyola Chicago/Michigan State at 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis
Win (over one of those four possibilities)

Tuesday, Nov. 30: Indiana at home (2021 ACC-Big Ten Challenge)
Win

Saturday, Dec. 4: At Florida State
Loss

Tuesday, Dec. 7: Villanova in NYC (2021 Jimmy V Classic)
Loss

Saturday, Dec. 11: At Georgetown
Win

Saturday, Dec. 18: Lehigh at home
Win

Tuesday, Dec. 21: Cornell at home
Win

Wednesday, Dec. 29: Georgia Tech at home
Win

Saturday, Jan. 1: Virginia at home
Loss

Wednesday, Jan. 5: At Miami
Loss

Saturday, Jan. 8: At Wake Forest
Win

Tuesday, Jan. 11: Pittsburgh at home
Win

Saturday, Jan. 15: Florida State at home
Win

Tuesday, Jan. 18: Clemson at home
Win

Saturday, Jan. 22: At Duke
Loss

Tuesday, Jan. 25: At Pittsburgh
Loss

Saturday, Jan. 29: Wake Forest at home
Win

Wednesday, Feb. 2: At N.C. State
Loss

Saturday, Feb. 5: Louisville at home
Win

Tuesday, Feb. 8: At Boston College
Win

Saturday, Feb. 12: At Virginia Tech
Loss

Saturday, Feb. 19: Boston College at home
Win

Tuesday, Feb. 22: At Notre Dame
Loss

Saturday, Feb. 26: Duke at home
Win

Monday, Feb. 28: At North Carolina
Loss

Saturday, March 5: Miami at home
Win

Final Thoughts
So if my math is correct, and that’s never a given, I have the Orange wrapping up the 2021-22 regular season at 20-11 overall, 9-2 in the non-conference and 11-9 in ACC play.

I know, I know. Are we really to get all jazzed up about that kind of record? Well, the ‘Cuse schedule is daunting. And these projections would include multiple excellent wins for Syracuse basketball.

I would then have the Orange as the No. 6 seed in the 2022 ACC Tournament, where it would go 1-1. That puts the ‘Cuse at 21-12.

Syracuse basketball fanatics wouldn’t have to sweat out Selection Sunday, as the Orange would grab a No. 7 seed in the 2022 Big Dance. As the ‘Cuse likes to do, it would advance to the Sweet 16, similar to last year.

In the end, Syracuse basketball would have a 23-13 mark and be ranked No. 20 in the final Coaches poll (the AP poll doesn’t have a ballot after March Madness).

For me, this is a successful stanza for the Orange, particularly given its difficult docket, and the tempered expectations from many national pundits.

It’s your turn now. How did I do with these predictions, and, more importantly, what do you think the ‘Cuse record will amount to in 2021-22?