Syracuse is a regular in the NCAA’s annual March Madness competition. One of the most storied teams on the tournament, Syracuse has always found a way, even in challenging years like this one. The Orange are having a difficult season, not helped by all that the coronavirus has imposed on college game and sport as a whole. Last year’s tournament was cancelled, and it has been a hard-fought battle back to this moment. Syracuse is once again in the mix, albeit their destiny not in their hands, making them a hard choice at the odds on the best spots like Fox bet colorado.
The season has been bumpy for Syracuse, by their standards. Finishing the season 15-8, the Orange began their season on a high note, going 6-1 in their first seven before having their next two games postponed for coronavirus outbreak. The break in momentum would cost them near Pittsburgh before finding winning ways again against Georgetown. That would be short-lived as the team would lose its next two, before alternating wins and losses, amid postponements, until the end of the regular season. The only thing consistent for Syracuse was beating North Carolina State, finishing off a 3-0 season sweep in the postseason, and coach Boeheim’s son, Buddy.
Buddy Boeheim is only a junior, but he has shown a takeover mentality that can only be a huge positive for him and Syracuse going forward. Now averaging 17 points per game, Buddy is simply the best player on the team, scoring at an insanely high clip. Buddy has started all 22 games he has played in, is averaging the most minutes on the team, and is shooting 42.5% from the field and 37.3% from deep range, leading the team in attempts in both categories. Before the postseason and in the ACC tournament, Boeheim has set new career highs for himself in points, including an explosive 31 in their close loss to Virginia in the ACC quarterfinals. If the team does make the final bracket of March Madness, Buddy will have a lot to do with that and an even bigger responsibility to shoulder, as he has progressively thrust himself in the spotlight for the Orange, as if being the coach’s son was not enough. Credit as well to coach Boeheim, who has shown a cool head and has been able to get productivity from this crop of players. Behind Buddy, Alan Griffin, and Quincy Guerrier have been just as important in the team’s quest for a spot in March’s tournament. Both Forwards are averaging at least 14 points, with Guerrier averaging an efficient 50% from the field. Defense has not been the strongest suit for Boeheim’s men, but they have shown glimpses of how locked in they can be, as seen against NC State. Now on the cusp of another appearance in March Madness, Syracuse will have to hope the stars align and seize whatever opportunity they have to go as deep as they can. Losing to Virginia was a blow, but this team is capable of making an underdog run in the tournament.