With just two regular-season games to go, Syracuse basketball is giving fans hope again. The Orange have won three in a row and four out of five to get mentioned as a potential bubble team should a lot of things go their way. According to a lot of bracketologists, and there are many, the Orange are still on the outside looking in of even the ‘Next Four Out’ category, but should they beat Louisville, and then Clemson, that might be enough on its own to give SU a shot at the dance.
If they don’t beat the Tigers, then two wins in the ACC Tournament in two weeks are probably going to be needed to get Syracuse in. If they lose to the Cardinals, then the conversation is over, but if SU can keep up this momentum, it has a shot, and that’s all you can ask for.
“It’s our job to just take it one game at a time and not worry so much about that,’’ Justin Taylor said after Tuesday’s 84-71 win over Virginia Tech via syracuse.com. “Just take care of business at Louisville and then take care of business at Clemson then go into the ACC tournament confident and rolling. We’re playing our best basketball right now and this is the best time to play it. Whatever happens, happens, but I think we’re in good position.’’
The Orange have not made the tournament each of the last two years, but have already reached the 10-win mark in the ACC, guaranteeing first-year head coach Adrian Autry at least a .500 record in the league in year one. Plus, depending on how you view the Chaminade game (it counts in league standings but not in the NET), SU is one or two wins away from a 20-win season, something it has not done since 2018-19 when it was an 8 seed in the Tournament.
“I told the team before we got out there that we’ve got to play like we’ve got everything to lose,’’ Judah Mintz said after the Virginia Tech game via syracuse.com. “We do. That’s how it feels. That’s how we’re going to go out there and play and compete every time. It’s a lot at stake for us, as a program and as a team, but at the end of the day it’s fun for us. That’s why you see all the smiles on our faces when we’re out there playing together.’’
The Orange’s current metrics are 81 in the NET Rankings, 2-7 in Quad 1, 4-1 in Quad 2, 8-2 in Quad 3, and 4-0 in Quad 4. Of note, NC State is currently ranked 78th in the rankings, and if they move up to 75, SU will gain a Q1 and Q2 victory courtesy of its season sweep of the Wolfpack. Getting that third quad-one victory would be massive for the resume, but a signature win either at Clemson, or in the Nation’s Capital is also probably necessary, but the Orange have to get through Louisville on Saturday first.
“I feel like that’s on all of our minds,’’ Quadir Copeland said via syracuse.com. “It’s always got to be on your mind once you get to this point. It’s in every conversation. It’s definitely on my mind. I know it’s probably on my guys’ minds, but at the end of the day, the main goal is winning. In order to get to that point, you’ve got to win, so I feel like that’s the first thing and the main goal.’’
