As you may know, I refuse to call Syracuse the Orange. Syracuse has and will always be known as the Syracuse Orangemen to me, dating back to the days I watched them play football against BC. What is far more important is that Syracuse is ranked #2 in the AP poll and have the ability to make a run at the college basketball National Championship for the first time since I was a Freshman at Utica College in upstate New York.
This season, Jim Boeheim recorded his 800th career win with Syracuse and continued to dominate with his 2-3 zone defense and a very young roster. Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku are the only seniors on the team this season. The 'Cuse is 24-1 (11-1 in the Big East) and hasn't lost since Pitt beat them on January 2.
The Extremely Large East
The Big East has 5 Teams ranked in the AP top 25 this season (Syracuse, Villanova, Georgetown, West Virginia and Pitt). The Big East also has some contenders for the tournament (Marquette, Louisville and UConn). With 8 teams from one conference all having a shot to make a run in the tournament, how can the Big East not be thought of as one of, if not, the best college basketball conference.
Get excited, because the 'Cuse is going to make a statement in the tournament this season. Enjoy the NIT North Carolina, this is the year of the Orangemen.
Thanks to Kevan Emmott for the picture of Gerry MacNamara from the last time Syracuse won a National Championship.
