To just about no one’s surprise, Syracuse was BAD against NCAA Tournament teams this past season. The Orange faced off against eight different teams that begin dancing this week. They won zero of those games.
But hey, if one of those teams wins it all, maybe it makes SU’s loss look a little better. So let’s see how far each of those eight teams could go:
11-seed UNC
Probably the most controversial pick in this tournament, the Tar Heels just got into the NCAA Tournament as one of the last four in. Last month’s matchup against SU shows why this was so controversial: UNC only won by 4. But UNC is in. It takes on San Diego St. in the First Four, which will already be a tough task. Win that and you get one of the SEC’s best in Ole Miss. Early exit seems imminent.
11-seed Texas
Another First Four team, Texas will take on Xavier to make it into the field of 64. A close matchup for SU, the Orange only fell 70-66 back in the Legend’s Classic. UT is a team with an impossible road. Make it in? Then the Longhorns likely get Illinois and then Kentucky. First weekend exit seems likely.
8-seed Louisville
After an insane rebound reason for the Cardinals that included an 85-61 drubbing of Syracuse, Louisville got dealt a BRUTAL hand. In the opening match Thursday, Louisville takes on a really good Creighton squad in what could be a first-round classic. Win that? You get a date with the number one overall seed Auburn. First weekend exit.
5-seed Clemson
This might be the most fun first-round matchup for SU fans. ACC foe Clemson against Quadir Copeland and 12-seed McNeese. A lot of people are giving McNeese a ton of credit, but the Tigers should take this one and then have a shootout with Purdue. A win there likely gets you to a clash with one-seed Houston. That’ll be tough, but a second-weekend trip seems possible.
2-seed Tennessee
Tennessee killed Syracuse 96-70 in the SEC/ACC Challenge. That was a good sign of things to come with the Vols. Chaz Lanier is a stud. And Tennesse has a FAVORABLE path. Houston might be the weakest one seed, and there’s a ton of flawed teams in the region (Illinios, UCLA, Gonzaga, Kentucky in March). Tennessee easily could make it to Final Four weekend.
3-seed Texas Tech
Another team SU played back in the Legends Classic, the Red Raiders got a narrow 79-74 win. But Tech has been REALLY good since then in the Big 12. Because of that, opening weekend should be somewhat easy (likely a spotty Mizzou team in the second round after a first round clash with UNC Wilmington). But then comes Saint John’s, Kansas, or Arkansas in the Sweet 16. Eek. Hard to beat elite coaching. Second-weekend exit.
1-seed Duke
In a weak ACC year, the Blue Devils were anything but that. Even after Cooper Flagg went down in the ACC Tournament, Duke won it all. When playing SU, it was an 83-54 domination for the Blue Devils. The noly only that may be able to take down Duke in the East is Alabama. Spoiler: The Blue Devils win it all in this Fizzster’s bracket. Yes it’s safe to pick the 1-seed, but this is a darn good team.
4-seed Maryland
Another team SU got embarrassed by, the Teps got a big win 87-60 back in NYC in December. The Terrapins have been great, however not in late-game situations, which are important in March. A rather easy regional sees a matchup with Grand Canyon and then with Memphis or Colorado State. But then a likely date with one-seed Florida in the Sweet 16 probably is too much.
