Syracuse Basketball: First NET ranking has a ton of room for improvement

The NCAA’s NET ratings, one of the primary tools used in evaluating teams for the Big Dance, was released on Monday for the first time during the 2021-22 campaign, so let’s take a look at where things stand for Syracuse basketball.

It’s important to consider that these NET rankings are going to fluctuate throughout the season, so while the Orange’s inaugural placement isn’t all that rosy, the ‘Cuse will have plenty of opportunities to move up.

In the first set of NET ratings, which covered games through December 5, the Orange (5-3, 1-0) checked in at No. 117 across the country.

Yeah, I know, that’s not super great. But it could be a lot worse, given that the ‘Cuse was 3-3 before two critical wins over the past week.

Syracuse basketball has a huge chance to bolster its NET on Tuesday night.

Over the last week, the Orange defeated Indiana on the Hill in double-overtime as part of the 2021 ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and then the ‘Cuse squeaked by Florida State on the road.

For reference, the Hoosiers were No. 56 in the first NET rankings, and the Seminoles were No. 77. By the way, here’s an excellent article that explains in detail what these ratings actually mean.

Moving the needle forward a bit, Syracuse basketball will go toe to toe with former Big East Conference rival Villanova on Tuesday evening at the 2021 Jimmy V Classic in New York City.

The Wildcats are No. 5 in the NET, so if the Orange could pull off an upset on a neutral floor, that would be massive for the team’s post-season resume.

A few days later, Syracuse basketball travels to Washington, D.C., for a date on Saturday afternoon with another former Big East rival, Georgetown.

The Hoyas are at No. 247 in the NET ratings, so a road triumph by the Orange doesn’t do a whole lot right now, but certainly, Georgetown could improve its ranking over the course of the 2021-22 stanza.

As far as other prior results, the ‘Cuse has beaten Drexel, Arizona State and Lafayette. None of those wins are great at this juncture, as Drexel is No. 175, Arizona State is No. 221 and Lafayette is No. 308.

Meanwhile, Syracuse basketball lost to Colgate at home, and also to VCU and Auburn in the Bahamas. Colgate, at present, is a bad loss, as the Raiders are No. 146. Auburn is No. 16, with VCU at No. 72. Since both setbacks were at a neutral site, neither defeat is bad at this point.

If you’re interested in some of the Orange’s other upcoming games, and where these opponents arrived in the NET rankings, Duke is No. 10, North Carolina is No. 26, Wake Forest is No. 31, Virginia Tech is No. 40, Louisville is No. 53, Virginia is No. 70, Cornell is No. 99 and Lehigh is No. 326.