Friday, November 20, 2009

Dear College Basketball Rankers--You Forgot Syracuse

As recently as when the Sports Illustrated College Basketball Preview was printed, Syracuse was considered a marginal Big Conference team. One that would make the Dance, sure, but not in the Top 20, or 25, or 30. SI had them at 35, though they were smart to mention the possible impact of transfer Wesley Johnson.

Since that issue hit my mailbox on Friday, Syracuse has beaten two teams that were ranked in from of them. They absolutely destroyed SI's #11 team, the California Bears (the Bears were overly ranked by SI, and they are dealing with some injuries. But, let's be clear--the best team in the PAC-10 ain't nothing special, and Cal probably isn't the best team in the PAC-10.)

So maybe Syracuse beating California isn't all that special. But how about beating them real, real bad? And turning around, and locking down UNC into one of the most horrific offensive displays a UNC team has ever participated in? Syracuse opened up the second half of their game by outscoring UNC 22-1. Holy shit!

As a Georgetown fan, who hates Syracuse, it pains me to say this--Syracuse is underrated, or every team they have played and beaten handily is overrated.

No comments: