While Syracuse’s regular season may have come to an end last night, the rest of the ACC is still in action this weekend. The Orange were eliminated from contention for the four seed and the double-bye with the loss last night and will need a lot of things to go their way to even have a chance at an at-large bid. The ‘Cuse can still finish 5th, 6th, or 7th in the conference depending on what happens Saturday.
The most likely outcome is for both Pitt and Wake Forest to win and the Orange to get the #7 seed. The Panthers and Demon Deacons are both at home however with the chaos that’s happened in the conference this season, anything is possible. Pitt hosts NC State who it beat on the road earlier this year. The Panthers have won two in a row as well. Wake and Clemson battle for the first time this season. The Demon Deacons have limped through the last month of the year, going from almost a lock for an at-large bid to outside the tournament picture. WF has lost three in a row, including games to Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. Virginia’s game against Georgia Tech also has potential implications on the rest of the seeding and where Pitt, Wake Forest, and Clemson could end up.
Trying to figure out what the bracket would look like is close to impossible right now. However, I was able to figure out the dream scenario for the Orange. If Virginia loses to Georgia Tech, Wake Forest beats Clemson, and Pittsburgh beats NC State, then the Panthers would be the third seed. Syracuse would get the #7 seed meaning a win on Wednesday would set up an SU-Pitt game on Thursday in the quarterfinals. Of course, the Orange would have to win their first game, but playing Pittsburgh who Syracuse has beaten twice this year with a spot in the semifinals on the line would give SU the best chance to make it to the semis and the best chance to potentially win the conference tournament.
No matter what happens, the Orange would most likely have to play either Duke or North Carolina in the semifinals but if either of them are upset, then there is a real possibility the ‘Cuse could get a third win and a chance at its first ACC title. SU has never even made it to the semifinals since joining the ACC so none of this is anywhere close to a guarantee. But, isn’t crazy hypotheticals what makes this time of year so great!
To recap, SU fans should root for Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Pittsburgh on Saturday. Even though that would put Syracuse in the lowest seed possible, it gives the best opportunity for the Orange to make a run.
