Syracuse is coming off a Cinderella run to the Final Four, which energized all of Orange Nation. But since SU made it all the way to college basketball’s final weekend last year, are expectations unrealistic this season? Many figured last year would be a growing one, filled with young guys that weren’t quite read yet. And with a .500 ACC record at 9-9, not much was anticipated going into March. But that’s when the dominos fell in SU’s direction and they danced all the way to Houston.
This season, there may be the tendency to expect the same exact result (a Final Four) but with a better regular season. The odds of SU winning its first title since ’03 is 20-1, including¬†Basketball Star Online Slot¬†and all slots online casino. Some of this is fair because Jim Boeheim won’t be suspended for a stretch as he was last season. But college basketball is so unpredictable because of inexperienced players assuming huge roles of importance, anything is possible for SU. Let’s look at the 5 most telling early season matchups for SU.
Monmouth: 11/18 
We remember Monmouth’s incredible season last year, going 28-8 and having its “Bench Mob” become a nationwide story. The Hawks may have had a once-in-a-lifetime season but they’re also still talented and game-tested. This one’s at the Carrier Dome but will not be just a normal whitewash over a lesser mid or low major.
South Carolina 11/26: 
The Cocks went 25-9 last year and made the NIT, being one of the bubble teams that didn’t make the tourney. But this game is at Barclays, so the normal Dome home court advantage won’t be baked in (although it’ll be heavy SU presence in Brooklyn). Frank Martin has lost 40 pounds on a no-carb diet, will be see a quicker, faster, Cocks team?
UConn 12/5: 
What else needs to be said? Syracuse-UConn is always a blast, plus this will be played at MSG, so visions of the old Big East tournament will be dancing in everyone’s heads. Last season the Huskies won 25 games but finished in the bottom half of the AAC. No matter, this one will potentially feel like a good ol’ fashioned conference smash ’em game whatever the win-loss records are for both teams.
Georgetown 12/17: 
The Hoyas were a very disappointing sub-.500 team last season, but getting Georgetown at the Dome is always a blast. You can be sure there will be “Georgetown Sucks” chants early and often. The Huskies and the Hoyas in a 12-day period? Now that feels like the good ol’ days.
St. John’s 12/21:¬†
The third leg in the old Big East tour for SU, this will be revenge. The Johnnies memorably upset the Orange last year, the biggest black mark on SU’s resume. SJU should be better this season in Year 2 under Chris Mullin, but SU can’t afford to lose to the Johnnies a second straight year. Doug Gottlieb famously said on the CBS Selection Show, “No team who lost to St. John’s should be allowed in the tournament.” You can be sure the Orange remember that.
Whether you’re talking about Vegas odds of SU making the Final Four or all slots online casino, the Orange will be tested early in trying to get back to the NCAA tournament.
