One week from today…

[Orangezoo]

Maybe. But I think too many people are mistakenly holding that view because they're convinced acc this year = acc last year

The ACC is definitely better. My concern is that if we don’t get a win in Vegas- that means we have to make up for it more in conference to offset having little to nothing to show for in the non conference. It worked for a couple teams last year but given many more have picked up on how to improve their NET - there may likely be a stronger bubble to compete with and it’s those games that will be a deciding factor as to how our resume can land stand out if we don’t win 11-12 games in conference or more.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Look as long as we don't get destroyed by both Houston and Kansas, keep it within 5 or 6 points and win the 3rd game, we have something good to look forward to.

In Year 3 of the red era we should not be satisfied with moral victories. What is the matter with you?

 

[Blanko97]

I count between 6-8 Quad 1 games in ACC play. Then these next 4. Make no mistake Duke, UNC and Louisville are more beatable than Houston.

For sure, but you need a good non con win, it’s been a difference maker for the tournament more seasons than not when you’re on the bubble

 

[Orangezoo]

In Year 3 of the red era we should not be satisfied with moral victories. What is the matter with you?

So you know how you complain about the personal nature of responses???? Just saying ..

 

[RedtheGOB]

For sure, but you need a good non con win, it’s been a difference maker for the tournament more seasons than not when you’re on the bubble

How dare you bring up a reasonable point on this thread!?

 

[CardiacCuse]

The ACC is definitely better. My concern is that if we don’t get a win in Vegas- that means we have to make up for it more in conference to offset having little to nothing to show for in the non conference. It worked for a couple teams last year but given many more have picked up on how to improve their NET - there may likely be a stronger bubble to compete with and it’s those games that will be a deciding factor as to how our resume can land stand out if we don’t win 11-12 games in conference or more.

you really think this team could go 0-3 in vegas and still make the tournament?

i'd put the odds of that happening at less than 1%

 

[Orangezoo]

you really think this team could go 0-3 in vegas and still make the tournament?

i'd put the odds of that happening at less than 1%

you need to read and follow the thread. I said it would make it much harder if we go 1-3 combined with Vegas and Tenn in response to a comment saying making the tourney at 1-3 is still very much possible with the strength of the ACC. You responded to a response I gave to someone else.

I was the one saying we need to come out of the stretch at 2-2 minimum.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

I'll have what he's having.

Is it addictive?
Do you cut it with water or baby formula?

 

[STEVEHOLT]

we play three games? how do they determine that? how do you have two predetermined games and then a third wild card?

 

[cuseattle]

we play three games? how do they determine that? how do you have two predetermined games and then a third wild card?

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Maybe determined by record then score differential?
Maybe random for TV matchups?

 

[Niastri]

you really think this team could go 0-3 in vegas and still make the tournament?

i'd put the odds of that happening at less than 1%

Last season the ACC was the fifth best conference, and we were way closer to the mid majors behind us than we were to the fourth place conference.

This year, depending on the metric (jncuse does a great job of updating this) the ACC is somewhere in the 1-3 range. The average victory in the conference will be a solid Q2, with many more chances for good wins than previous years. The ACC really turned it around last off season.

Syracuse could go 0-4 the next week, and that would be really not fun for us as fans. But it wouldn't eliminate us from NCAA Tournament contention.

We could easily go 9-4 in OOC, and a .500 record in the ACC would put us on the bubble. Probably the wrong side heading into the ACC tournament... But if we have a winning record in the ACC, even if we get smoked in Vegas and the SEC Challenge game, we have a chance.

Let's hope those doubts are rendered moot after a huge win tonight.

 

[Sbucketball]

JB hedged for Red by calling into the radio saying it's ok if you can't beat a top team right now and you can still be a good tournament team. True we can be totally fine without beating Houston, but if we go 0-3 in Vegas and then lose to Tenn to make it 0 for the next 4, let's be honest with ourselves -- the season's likely not going anywhere, we're not a relevant team, and Red is probably a goner. I'm not saying that will happen as I think winning 2/4 is very much in play and that's what I expect. But I don't think we should just shrug off 0-4 and expect to surge for a protected tournament seed, even with the ACC being much better this year. It could happen, but I definitely wouldn't count on it.

 

[Niastri]

JB hedged for Red by calling into the radio saying it's ok if you can't beat a top team right now and you can still be a good tournament team. True we can be totally fine without beating Houston, but if we go 0-3 in Vegas and then lose to Tenn to make it 0 for the next 4, let's be honest with ourselves -- the season's likely not going anywhere, we're not a relevant team, and Red is probably a goner. I'm not saying that will happen as I think winning 2/4 is very much in play and that's what I expect. But I don't think we should just shrug off 0-4 and expect to surge for a protected tournament seed, even with the ACC being much better this year. It could happen, but I definitely wouldn't count on it.

If we lose all four big OOC games, I think a protected seed is pretty much out of the question. We would be hoping for a middle seed with good ACC results, and more likely fighting to be on the right side of the bubble.

Each win above 0 this week dramatically changes that calculus, with an 4-0 week putting us in the conversation for a number 1 seed from a complete afterthought.

 

[djorange1989]

If we lose all three to Houston, KU and UT(not sure who we will play in Game 3 this week, if it’s Rutgers, it isn’t a quality win) then our backs are way up against the wall. Not dead but we will be close

 

[FrancoPizza]

So you know how you complain about the personal nature of responses???? Just saying ..

It was meant in jest. Apparently I need to use the sarcasm font when there's even the slightest chance someone will misinterpret. But yes, it does bother me somewhat when I see fans accepting mediocrity as if we should be ok with that.

 

[bballbeadle]

Enough about the games. Who is meeting me at 4 am for after-hours at Drai's? We gonna light up the strip.

You’re young, aren’t you?

 

[Orangezoo]

It was meant in jest. Apparently I need to use the sarcasm font when there's even the slightest chance someone will misinterpret. But yes, it does bother me somewhat when I see fans accepting mediocrity as if we should be ok with that.

Slightest chance? - there was nothing in that comment to interpret as being in jest. As well as it being the heels of the back and forth the other day.

Anyways it doesn’t matter. I’ve not seen many accept mediocrity.. just the reality that until there is hard evidence to the contrary it becomes the expectation the longer it goes on.

 

[cuseallday]

You’re young, aren’t you?

I'll be 48 on January 1. So ... no lol.

 

[Cuse12]

i was sitting here today disgusted that I am so accustomed lately to “trying to find a way” to break even with these OOC games. I can’t believe the expectations have dropped so far in a decade. I’m over that mindset. We need to start winning difficult games again. I don’t care about finding excuses anymore. I don’t care about altering the mindset of “hey well one time we lost to le moyne and look what happened that year!”. Nope. Just put up or shut up. You are what the scoreboard says. If you lose the next 4, then, we are what the scoreboards say. You are not a good team. Good teams beat other good teams. I’m not saying we need to win every game of these next 4, no. But at the end of this run of games, we will know if we are “back” to being in contention of something or not. I’m just so over the excuses or justifications of why we aren’t there yet or why it’s okay if we don’t win “yet”. Time moves fast. We don’t have time to wait. The best time to start being a winning program was yesterday and the next best time is today. We can’t wait. We need to prove something. We need Red to prove we are worth watching and supporting because we feel there’s a chance at SOMETHING. Tourney invite, fighting for top 5 in the ACC, going into the post season with something on the line. We need to feel SOMETHING. No more feel good losses for me anymore, that’s a losers mentality and I can’t believe that’s where we are with cuse BBALL. Rant and horrible grammar over lol.

 

[IthacaMatt]

We will be celebrating Syracuse’s top 5 ranking after a 3-0 showing in Vegas. Monmouth will have been an anomaly. 25k+ will be preparing to head to the Dome for the matchup against Tennessee. All will be right in the world! LET’S GO ORANGE!

If this happens, then we are truly back.

 

[tbonezone]

. I can’t believe the expectations have dropped so far in a decade.

i've unfortunately had the misfortune of watching SYRACUSE slip from a team opponents once feared to one they now view as an easy upset even when occasionally favored.

 

[baggerbob]

If this happens, then we are truly back.

That isn't happening, but if it did yes we would be back. But after falling on our face the last game. Just playing good to great defense and keeping the game close against Houston is a win.
Tonight's game should tell us a lot about what problems this team will have.