Bracketology Losers: Syracuse, Texas and St. John's suffer setbacks

Bracketology Losers: Syracuse, Texas and St. John’s suffer setbacks

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Oshae Brissett #11 and teammate Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orangereact after the conclusion of the first half of the game against Oregon Ducks during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

3 of 6

<> at Carrier Dome on December 8, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. /

Syracuse Orange

For those who aren’t brand new to college basketball, seeing Syracuse on a “losers” list isn’t shocking. This is a team who is capable of beating a top-10 team one game, then losing to an under .500 program in a couple of days.

The top-10 win hasn’t happened yet but the awful loss did happen last week, losing at home by 14 points to Georgia Tech. In fairness to the Yellow Jackets, they have improved after a poor immediate start to the season. Yet still, the Orange can’t get blown out at home to them.

For the overall resume, neither Syracuse nor their non-conference opponents have looked great in the new year. Fellow 2K Classic participants UConn and Oregon have slid while Old Dominion have also struggled to start out Conference USA. And even Clemson (who the Orange beat earlier last week) are now 0-3 in the ACC. The Ohio State Buckeyes have still looked good but the win over Georgetown remains a question as to whether it’ll become a quality resume win.

The good news for the Orange is that the ACC provides plenty of opportunities for quality wins, starting with the next one at Duke. But the Orange are going to have to win some games they’re not supposed to, a feat they’ve struggled with. There are two games against an improved Pittsburgh team in the next three weeks. It’s key for the Orange to sweep them to avoid more troubles.

Home/Bracketology