Syracuse couldn’t continue the team’s run in the NCAA Tournament, losing to Duke in the Sweet Sixteen. But it doesn’t take away from how good of a job Jim Boeheim did this year.
The only power conference team that has developed a recent reputation as a bracket buster, Syracuse made it to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Duke 69-65. Unlike the first battle between the two, this one was a single-digit game throughout the night and the Orange still had a chance late. Even in defeat, it was a great showing for a team not supposed to be here.
When the Selection Committee decided that the University of Syracuse would get one of the last four spots, the ensued outrage was reminiscent of a couple of years ago, when the same school took a perceived undeserved bid into a Final Four appearance.
But that team, as well as last season’s underachieving squad were much more talented than what was on the court this season. Because of the sanctions from the previous violations, depth was already going to be an issue. However, the unexpected decision of South Florida grad transfer Geno Thorpe to leave the team early on gave the Orange little to work with.
More from Busting Brackets
- NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 5 teams for top-100 SG Larry Johnson
- Oregon Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24
- Big East Basketball: Ranking all head coaches going into 2023-24 season
- Florida State Basketball: Is Seminoles roster good enough to win in 2023-24?
- SEC Basketball: 10 potential additions for the league if they ever expanded
The key players had to put in overtime, with Tyus Battle, Oshae Brissett and, Frank Howard ranking in the top-10 in minutes played. When you add the usage rates, no players in college basketball had to do more than this trio. They also were responsible for at least 80% of the team’s overall scoring.
Yet somehow they did it, and while controversial to say the least, Syracuse made the NCAA Tournament. That in itself was a huge feat. But they weren’t satisfied, first beating Arizona State in the First Four. That was followed up by defeating TCU, whose coach was Jamie Dixon, who at Pitt figured out the 2-3 zone more than any other coach.
And to top it off, the Orange had one of arguably the best team defensive performances of the year, holding Michigan State to just 53 points in the shocking win. It was a battle of the team with the most depth vs. the team with the least depth.
But at this point, why are we surprised? It’s the future Hall-of-Famer Jim Boeheim we’re talking about. One of the best coaches of all-time squeezed every bit of talent out of this team and somehow got a Sweet Sixteen out of it.
And the scary thing is, barring unforeseen circumstances everyone returns for the 2018-19 season. Then you add five-star forward Darius Bazley, as well as guards Jalen Carey and Buddy Boeheim (son of the coach). Depth won’t be an issue next season.
Next: Kansas State-Loyola Chicago Elite 8 preview
This for all intended purposes was supposed to be a rebuilding season. But Boeheim doesn’t have two off-years in a row. Now the Orange will go from middle-of-the-road in the ACC, to one of the contenders for a conference title.