Considering Syracuse’s history in the ACC Tournament, Jim Boehiem’s team shouldn’t be thinking about winning the whole thing. Beating Pittsburgh on Wednesday night would suffice, and probably let SU fans breathe easy on Selection Sunday. But the Orange are the 7th betting favorite (+5000) to win the ACC Tournament in Charlotte, so it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that Syracuse runs the table and finally makes the run that has eluded them in this tournament since joining the ACC.
However, history hasn’t been kind to underdog-types in the ACC tournament. In seven of the last ten years, the conference champion has been named either Virginia, Duke or North Carolina. In the seasons those blue bloods didn’t win, it wasn’t exactly surprise contenders breaking through. In 2015, Notre Dame won as a three seed. In 2013, Miami won as a one seed. And Florida State was a three seed when they won in 2012.
Syracuse is the #6 seed in this year’s tournament. These are the odds for the rest of the field, with some teams already eliminated:
Virginia: +125
Duke: +150
North Carolina: +350
Virginia Tech: +1200
Florida State: +1600
Louisville: +3300
Clemson (Eliminated) and Syracuse: +5000
NC State: +6600
Miami (Eliminated) and Notre Dame: +20000
Georgia Tech (Eliminated): +25000 
Boston College (Eliminated), Pittsburgh and Wake Forest: +30000
Vegas doesn’t think any team outside the Blue Devils, Tar Heels and Cavaliers stand much of a chance at all. Virginia Tech would be getting more respect if not for point guard Justin Robinson’s injury, which will put him out for the entire tournament. Florida State hasn’t shown to be threat to the ACC’s top-flight competition. Louisville has been a mess in late fourth quarter situations, making them difficult to trust in the tournament setting. Finally, Syracuse will be without Tyus Battle in its opening game against Pittsburgh and only have the win at Cameron Indoor Stadium to hang onto as evidence that they can upset a couple elite teams in the tournament.
It looks like we’re in store for more chalk in Charlotte. It’s hard to foresee SU, or any other Cinderella team, cutting down the nets this weekend.
