A national media outlet has published a ranking of the top squad in every state ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, and Syracuse basketball didn’t make the cut in New York.
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, in his piece, rated each Division I hoops team in every state, and we’re going to take a look at his results for the Empire State.
In New York state, St. Bonaventure is No. 1. The rest of the top 10 for the Empire State, in order, is the Orange, St. John’s, Buffalo, Colgate, Rick Pitino-led Iona, Siena, Army, Hofstra and Wagner.
Have at it, ‘Cuse fans. I’m sure some of you out there will be none too happy that Syracuse basketball is No. 2 in New York state. Then again, this is a pre-season prognostication from Norlander, so the Orange will have plenty of opportunities to show it’s the best in NY starting quite soon.
Syracuse basketball gets relegated to No. 2 in a New York state pre-season ranking.
If we’re assessing things candidly, and I remove my affinity for my alma mater, it’s not a surprise whatsoever that St. Bonaventure is ahead of the ‘Cuse in the CBS Sports ratings for the Empire State, at least for the time being.
The Bonnies are going to be really, really good in 2021-22. They are a veteran group, bringing back all five starters from a squad that last year captured the Atlantic 10 Conference’s regular-season and post-season championships.
At least Orange fans can take a little delight in this. In the 2021 NCAA Tournament this past spring, St. Bonaventure had a better seed than the ‘Cuse, but the Bonnies got bounced in the round of 64 by LSU, whereas Syracuse basketball made a nice run to the Sweet 16.
In the Atlantic 10’s recently disclosed pre-season poll, St. Bonaventure was unanimously chosen as the favorite to claim the conference’s title in the upcoming stanza. Additionally, the Bonnies are included in the pre-season top-25 rankings of both major polls (Associated Press and Coaches).
"Norlander, when comparing St. Bonaventure to Syracuse basketball, said in part, “most everyone objectively sees that the Bonnies have a superior roster heading into the start of the season.”"
We’ll have to wait and see about that, Matt.