The Orange’s run in the ACC Tournament is officially over, which means NCAA Tournament talk can officially begin. SU finished the season at 20-13, including 8-10 in ACC play. Sure, there are a lot of moments the Orange would like to have back, but what’s done is done. Now, it all comes down to selection committee. This has become a bit of an annual tradition recently, with Syracuse being on the bubble in each of the past three seasons.
After SU got walloped by North Carolina on Wednesday, Jim Boeheim had a lot to say in his post game press conference, but no line stuck out to me more than this one:
Boeheim: “every coach in the country thinks his team is a tournament team”
Then goes on to explain that Cuse’s RPI, SOS and road wins mean his team belongs in but ends with
“It just depends what the committee decides”
— Orange Fizz (@OrangeFizz) March 8, 2018
For someone who is as critical of his team throughout the season as Boeheim is, it’s funny to see him try and be complimentary in March. It makes sense, the mood you set about your team is going to quickly spread around the nation. If Boeheim came out just so so about his team’s chances, what would the committee think about that?
Think about what he said. Every coach in the country think his team is a tournament team? Really? It’s clearly an exaggeration, but serves as a great reminder that Boeheim, like most coaches, will do anything he can to get his team in the tournament. Let’s be honest, the last couple of years haven’t been great for Boeheim. The final four run was fantastic, but the Orange has followed that up with two very underwhelming seasons.
Sure, things have gone better for the Orange, but I wouldn’t say its “played very well” like Boeheim did after the game on Wednesday.
Unfortunately for Boeheim and SU, the coaches don’t decide who makes the big dance. For extensive coverage of the selection show on Sunday night, make sure to keep it locked right here to Orangefizz.net and on twitter @OrangeFizz.
