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It's eerie.
Syracuse is currently 16-8 overall, 6-5 in conference and coming off a loss to Connecticut.
On this exact date last year, Syracuse was 16-8 overall, 5-5 in conference and coming off a loss to Connecticut.
SU is 5-5 in its last 10 games.
Last year's team was 5-5 in its last 10.
RPI for 2008 Orange - 42.
RPI for 2007 Orange - 50.
I could go on, but I won't.
Because we all know what happened last year.
But here's the kicker -Syracuse finished the 2007 regular season on a 5-1 run, plus the Orange won a game in the Big East Tournament.
And they still weren't invited to the dance.
SU has seven regular season contests remaining. Is a similar finish possible? Of course.
But is it probable? No way.
Syracuse's remaining schedule looks like this - at South Florida, No. 6 Georgetown, at Louisville, at No. 21 Notre Dame, No. 25 Pittsburgh, at Seton Hall, No. 16 Marquette.
Ouch.
Except for South Florida, all of SU's remaining opponents have RPIs in the top 55.
And the Orange, while they don't have any bad losses,they haven't exactly flourished against the elite.
Syracuse has no losses outside the RPI top 100, but are 1-6 against the RPI top 50.
Oh boy, have they been close though.
Jonny Flynn's attempt at a game-winner at Georgetown rimmed out. His attempt at a game-winner against UConn came up just short.
Two ranked teams, two 2-point losses.
Missed it by that much.
I think it's fair to say that South Florida and Seton Hall are must-wins.
The regular season finale against Marquette is also a good match-up - the Golden Eagles are horrible against the zone. SU should win that game.
A win at Louisville or at Notre Dame would be bonuses - though both highly unlikely.
Then you're left with Georgetown and Pitt. Both are home games but both will be back alley brawls. Winning both games is highly unlikely. I think Jim Boeheim would take a split in a heartbeat.
Syracuse could finish this stretch 4-3. It's possible.
That would get them to the 20-win mark - a good gauge come tourney time.
But the Orange could also finish 2-5. Easily.
The Big East is as unpredictable as ever.
Syracuse is two missed shots away from cushy spot in second place. Instead,the Orange sit in eighth,right in the middle of the pack.
While the numbers are strikingly similar, this year's brand of Orange is much different than last year's senior-laden bunch.
And if that team couldn't make the NCAA Tournament, what chance does this team?
Pretty good, actually.
There's no doubting that Syracuse is the ultimate bubble team. One day they're in, one day they're out.
Each win is more crucial than ever.
But the Orange controls their own destiny. If they take care of business - win at home and pick up a few road wins here and there,they'll be dancing come March.
If they play erratic, get in foul trouble and don't hold serve at home,they'll be NIT-bound.
It's eerie.
Syracuse is currently 16-8 overall, 6-5 in conference and coming off a loss to Connecticut.
On this exact date last year, Syracuse was 16-8 overall, 5-5 in conference and coming off a loss to Connecticut.
SU is 5-5 in its last 10 games.
Last year's team was 5-5 in its last 10.
RPI for 2008 Orange - 42.
RPI for 2007 Orange - 50.
I could go on, but I won't.
Because we all know what happened last year.
But here's the kicker -Syracuse finished the 2007 regular season on a 5-1 run, plus the Orange won a game in the Big East Tournament.
And they still weren't invited to the dance.
SU has seven regular season contests remaining. Is a similar finish possible? Of course.
But is it probable? No way.
Syracuse's remaining schedule looks like this - at South Florida, No. 6 Georgetown, at Louisville, at No. 21 Notre Dame, No. 25 Pittsburgh, at Seton Hall, No. 16 Marquette.
Ouch.
Except for South Florida, all of SU's remaining opponents have RPIs in the top 55.
And the Orange, while they don't have any bad losses,they haven't exactly flourished against the elite.
Syracuse has no losses outside the RPI top 100, but are 1-6 against the RPI top 50.
Oh boy, have they been close though.
Jonny Flynn's attempt at a game-winner at Georgetown rimmed out. His attempt at a game-winner against UConn came up just short.
Two ranked teams, two 2-point losses.
Missed it by that much.
I think it's fair to say that South Florida and Seton Hall are must-wins.
The regular season finale against Marquette is also a good match-up - the Golden Eagles are horrible against the zone. SU should win that game.
A win at Louisville or at Notre Dame would be bonuses - though both highly unlikely.
Then you're left with Georgetown and Pitt. Both are home games but both will be back alley brawls. Winning both games is highly unlikely. I think Jim Boeheim would take a split in a heartbeat.
Syracuse could finish this stretch 4-3. It's possible.
That would get them to the 20-win mark - a good gauge come tourney time.
But the Orange could also finish 2-5. Easily.
The Big East is as unpredictable as ever.
Syracuse is two missed shots away from cushy spot in second place. Instead,the Orange sit in eighth,right in the middle of the pack.
While the numbers are strikingly similar, this year's brand of Orange is much different than last year's senior-laden bunch.
And if that team couldn't make the NCAA Tournament, what chance does this team?
Pretty good, actually.
There's no doubting that Syracuse is the ultimate bubble team. One day they're in, one day they're out.
Each win is more crucial than ever.
But the Orange controls their own destiny. If they take care of business - win at home and pick up a few road wins here and there,they'll be dancing come March.
If they play erratic, get in foul trouble and don't hold serve at home,they'll be NIT-bound.
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