Syracuse vs. Buffalo: Key storylines for the non-conference game

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange speaks to his team during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: The Buffalo Bulls bench reacts in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

How this game impacts both teams

Buffalo didn’t have an at-large resume last season but is well on track to solidify their spot in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, without needing the automatic qualifier from the MAC. They have a road win over West Virginia, a win over top-100 San Francisco, and currently is ranked No. 12 in the NCAA’s new NET rating.

But the Bulls still don’t have a ton of margin for error. The Mountaineers haven’t looked as good as expected and a few bad losses in conference play could easily put them back on the bubble. That’s why these upcoming games against both Syracuse and Marquette this week is so important, as wins provide Buffalo enough cushion to get an at-large bid.

As much as the Bulls need this win, Syracuse also needs this quality win for their own resume. For the last few years, the Orange have been right on the bubble, either barely getting in or barely missing out of the Big Dance. A big part of why they’ve been on the bubble has been the total number of losses they’ve accumulated between the non-conference and the ACC.

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They already have three losses (UConn, Oregon, and Old Dominion), and just one good win over Ohio State on the road. There would be no shame in losing to Buffalo but it would be loss No. 4 before the new year. Another 9-9 record in the ACC would mean yet again that the Orange could be sweating it out on Selection Sunday. A quality win over the Bulls would do wonders in preventing that.