Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA basketball: Bubble implications of the past weekend’s games

By Jonathan Goehring

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Chimezie Metu
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Chimezie Metu /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 24: Teammates Trevon Duval
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 24: Teammates Trevon Duval /

Syracuse

It may not have been so bad if the Orange put up a strong fight in their game this weekend against Duke, but the 60-44 score is just devastating for their tournament hopes. A 16 point loss is not shocking against a top five team in their arena, but it does deliver a severe and possibly lethal blow to Syracuse’s NCAA tournament hopes.

It was already looking fairly bleak for the Orange coming into Saturday’s matchup, as they had squandered an opportunity last Wednesday to knock off a top ten North Carolina team at the Carrier Dome which would have been a huge resume builder. Now, with Syracuse losing both of the games they saw as chances to make statements this past week, they find themselves on Lunardi’s “First Four Out”.

The only hope for Syracuse is that they do have some games remaining. After traveling to Boston College, they wrap the regular season up with a home game this Saturday against the 18th ranked Clemson Tigers. Then, the ACC tournament will take place, and if the Orange can get past the opening rounds, they may get another shot at Duke, North Carolina, or even top ranked Virginia.

But without another quality win for the Orange, it isn’t looking good. Especially since they were held to just 44 points this weekend.

Home/Bracketology