Syracuse has gone from not receiving any votes in the AP Poll one week to being launched right in the middle of it the next once already this year. There’s no way the Orange can get back to being number 14 this week, but there is a window for Jim Boeheim’s squad to make the Top 25.
SU is hot. After starting 0-4 in conference play, Syracuse has won eight of its last nine games in the ACC. There has not been a resume-defining win during the stretch, but eight of nine in the ACC is still impressive.
Looking at the current make up of the AP Poll, five of the six teams ranked 20-25 all lost games this week. #24 Texas and #23 USC each lost two games in the last seven days. #25 Wichita State fell to unranked Northern Iowa while Texas Tech blew out #21 Baylor. Lastly, #20 Providence lost a game in two overtimes to Marquette last Wednesday.
The teams that received votes but did not break into the Top 25 also struggled last week. #22 Kentucky annihilated South Carolina on its home floor Saturday. Indiana beat fourth ranked Iowa last week, but followed that up with a blowout road loss to eighth ranked Michigan State Sunday. Finally, San Diego State lost to unranked Fresno State last week as well.
Syracuse has a great chance here. If a second Top 25 birth of the season does not happen later on this afternoon, SU can guarantee a spot next week. The Orange plays 13th ranked Louisville on the road Wednesday and then Pittsburgh in the Dome Saturday. Two wins and then there’s no debate on SU’s AP Poll merit.
After a disastrous end to the non-conference slate and a winless start in the ACC, Syracuse fans are feeling good once again.
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Posted: Connor Morrissette
