This feels suspiciously familiar.
Maybe because we've been here before. For the last three years, to be exact.
With the conference season approaching an end, the Syracuse men's basketball team sits squarely on the fence.
To their left - the NCAA Tournament.
To their right - humiliation and the NIT.
It's one way or the other. All the Orange needs is a stiff breeze in either direction.
Playing in their favor: RPI (49), strength of schedule (9), nonconference strength of schedule (20) and the remaining schedule (Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Marquette).
Not playing in their favor: record (17-11), conference record (7-8), wins against the top-50 RPI (2) and remaining schedule (Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Marquette).
And take a page from last year's team - you have to earn your way into the Big Dance.
Syracuse was snubbed. The selection committee is senile. They were robbed, blah, blah, blah.
Let's move on.
Although SU deserved to be in the NCAA Tournament, they didn't play their way into the field.
They had their opportunities.
In the final 10 games of the season, Syracuse had chances for marquee wins at Connecticut, against Georgetown, at Villanova and against Notre Dame in the Big East Tournament.
The Orange won just one of these games.
Sure, they had 22 wins. But they had a chance to seal the deal, and squandered it.
This year's team should be taking notes.
The remaining schedule is a double-edged sword. Wins over Pitt and Marquette would be of the marquee variety. They would bolster the NCAA resume, certainly.
But that's the thing with good teams, they're tough to beat.
And while both are at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse hasn't exactly been unbeatable at home (11-4). The friendly confines have hardly been friendly this season.
As for Saturday's game against Pitt, let's call it a play-in game.
A loss, and the Orange is toast. Burnt toast.
A loss to the Panthers and the Orange will need a miracle - namely, a run through the Big East Tournament. Anyone know if G-Mac has any eligibility left?
It's easy to knock the selection committee. It's easy to pick apart the flaws of the entire selection process.
It's even fun at times.
But this season, there'll be no excuses. Syracuse is in control of its own fate.
This is the way college basketball should be. You're not in the tourney because of reputation. You're not in the tourney because of your schedule. You're not in because some bracketologist says so.
You're in because you play your way in.
When fate is left in the hands of others, people get snubbed.
That's why Saturday's game is more than a must-win. It's a season-on-the-line, elimination game.
Lose, and not even the A-Team can save them. Lose, and Syracuse will have about as much life as the Huckabee campaign.
Lose, and Jim Boeheim better have CTU on speed dial.
Lose, and...well, you get the idea.
The pressure is on. Let's not play it off like Saturday is “just another game.” Because it's not. Far from it.
Saturday's match-up with Pitt is the biggest of the season for one reason - Pitt is a good team and Syracuse needs a good win.
It's that simple.
So if Orange fans want any hope of doing the penguin dance come Selection Sunday, Syracuse better knock off the Panthers.
If they don't, you and I can both save our excuses for another season.
With the conference season approaching an end, the Syracuse men's basketball team sits squarely on the fence.
To their left - the NCAA Tournament.
To their right - humiliation and the NIT.
It's one way or the other. All the Orange needs is a stiff breeze in either direction.
Playing in their favor: RPI (49), strength of schedule (9), nonconference strength of schedule (20) and the remaining schedule (Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Marquette).
Not playing in their favor: record (17-11), conference record (7-8), wins against the top-50 RPI (2) and remaining schedule (Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Marquette).
And take a page from last year's team - you have to earn your way into the Big Dance.
Syracuse was snubbed. The selection committee is senile. They were robbed, blah, blah, blah.
Let's move on.
Although SU deserved to be in the NCAA Tournament, they didn't play their way into the field.
They had their opportunities.
In the final 10 games of the season, Syracuse had chances for marquee wins at Connecticut, against Georgetown, at Villanova and against Notre Dame in the Big East Tournament.
The Orange won just one of these games.
Sure, they had 22 wins. But they had a chance to seal the deal, and squandered it.
This year's team should be taking notes.
The remaining schedule is a double-edged sword. Wins over Pitt and Marquette would be of the marquee variety. They would bolster the NCAA resume, certainly.
But that's the thing with good teams, they're tough to beat.
And while both are at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse hasn't exactly been unbeatable at home (11-4). The friendly confines have hardly been friendly this season.
As for Saturday's game against Pitt, let's call it a play-in game.
A loss, and the Orange is toast. Burnt toast.
A loss to the Panthers and the Orange will need a miracle - namely, a run through the Big East Tournament. Anyone know if G-Mac has any eligibility left?
It's easy to knock the selection committee. It's easy to pick apart the flaws of the entire selection process.
It's even fun at times.
But this season, there'll be no excuses. Syracuse is in control of its own fate.
This is the way college basketball should be. You're not in the tourney because of reputation. You're not in the tourney because of your schedule. You're not in because some bracketologist says so.
You're in because you play your way in.
When fate is left in the hands of others, people get snubbed.
That's why Saturday's game is more than a must-win. It's a season-on-the-line, elimination game.
Lose, and not even the A-Team can save them. Lose, and Syracuse will have about as much life as the Huckabee campaign.
Lose, and Jim Boeheim better have CTU on speed dial.
Lose, and...well, you get the idea.
The pressure is on. Let's not play it off like Saturday is “just another game.” Because it's not. Far from it.
Saturday's match-up with Pitt is the biggest of the season for one reason - Pitt is a good team and Syracuse needs a good win.
It's that simple.
So if Orange fans want any hope of doing the penguin dance come Selection Sunday, Syracuse better knock off the Panthers.
If they don't, you and I can both save our excuses for another season.
The Citizens' Say
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