Syracuse Orange: Cuse women’s basketball is eight games from the finish line

Unfortunately, Syracuse women's basketball started off the month of February with a close, heartbreaking loss to Virginia on Sunday, 70-67. Syracuse’s Sophie Burrows led the way in points and Kyra Wood was amazing on the boards but in the end, Virginia led by potential WNBA star Latasha Lattimore just hit the shots when it mattered.

I still believe this Orange team is talented and playing hard offensively and defensively and if not for an unstoppable 25-point effort by Lattimore, likely would win that game. The Orange did have the shots late to win it but unfortunately, they didn’t fall. Congratulations to Lattimore, the rest of the Virginia players and former assistant and player under Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack and current Virginia head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton on the win.

So what’s next for the Orange this season? At 8-13 (2-8 in the ACC), unfortunately, the women are fourth from last in the ACC. BUT five of the teams ahead of them are only about a game and a half ahead of them so this season is far from over.

With them being that close and eight games still remaining, if this team can win some of those games, an ACC tournament run could be in the cards for this team. And I am always of the belief that if there is an opportunity, there is a chance. This team doesn’t quit, and if they can figure out how to finish off teams, they can beat just about anyone they face.

The regular season is nearing its conclusion for Syracuse women's basketball.

So as the schedule works out, the Orange travel to Virginia Tech on Thursday before returning to the JMA Wireless Dome against Wake Forest on Sunday. Then they head to the west coast to play Stanford and Cal next week with the Thursday game at Stanford scheduled for 10 pm and both scheduled for the ACC Network.

Then the last four games of the season will feature three of the four at home. They’ll start that portion on February 20 at home against North Carolina, then head to Duke for a game on Sunday, February 23, slated to be on the CW Network. Finishing the regular season at home against Pitt (February 27) and closing it against Boston College (March 2 on ACC Network).

Two of those teams (Pitt and Wake) are ranked lower in the ACC than the Orange. Duke, Carolina, Virginia Tech and Stanford all have winning records in the ACC. Boston College and Stanford are two of the five teams that are only less than two games ahead of Cuse. I have seen enough of this team to believe that any of these games can be winnable with the right opportunity.

I don’t know the answer to how many wins this team needs to make the ACC tournament. There are too many other factors that can impact it out of the control of the Orange. However, I do believe this team is capable of a few wins to finish it off and can have a shot.

I know looking at the record and their struggles to finish a couple of close games might scare some but I see heart and determination in this team that I think will pay off in the end. And I believe if this team continues to play the good teams close, eventually those last-minute shots will fall that just haven't yet as their experience and confidence grow together.