Wednesday was a rough day for Syracuse basketball in an 83-54 home loss to second-ranked Duke. The Orange discovered just how formidable the Blue Devils are this season–a team that has a legitimate shot at winning the national championship in April.
Syracuse took a beating for most of the game. However, SU stuck around for much of the first half, but ultimately trailed by 14 at halftime and was outscored by 15 in the second frame.
Despite 23,313 in the JMA Wireless Dome, the most attended college basketball game this season, Syracuse came up empty against an extremely tough opponent.
SU needs to shake off Wednesday’s embarrassment, and focus on the next two matchups before next weekend’s clash with North Carolina.
Syracuse goes up against Boston College on Saturday and Miami (FL) on Tuesday.
Both opponents sit below the ‘Cuse in the ACC standings. The Eagles are 2-9 in conference play, whereas the Hurricanes are just 1-10 in the ACC. SU holds a 4-8 conference record, just above them.
The Orange have to set their eyes on securing a spot in the ACC Tournament in order to play some extra basketball, which takes the top 15 of 18 squads in the conference. Syracuse is currently in 15th place, with Boston College, NC State, and Miami underneath.
As bad as this season has been for Syracuse, the sheer number of teams that have a chance at the postseason can’t be understated. In many ways, it basically means that the season isn’t over until it’s truly over because of the number of opportunities that these teams have to turn things around when things aren’t going as planned.
Regardless of past struggles, the next game is a chance to move forward in search of making the ACC Tournament.
Syracuse plays Boston College on Saturday at 3:15 P.M.
