Future ACC Member Syracuse Wins, Looks to Jump to #1 in Hoops!
While nobody knows when Syracuse (and Pittsburgh) will be joining the ACC, the Confidential is pleased to note that the Orange are starting to make a larger percentage of their noise on the court these days. As the Bernie Fine issue fades into the background, the Orange moved to 10-0 on the season with an 85-50 win over George Washington. Most importantly, with the win, Syracuse is primed to jump to #1 in the polls Monday.
The reason why Syracuse is likely to move to #1 is that the two teams ahead of them in the rankings, Kentucky and Ohio State, both lost on Saturday. Meanwhile, the 4 teams behind Syracuse–Louisville, North Carolina, Baylor, and Duke–are unlikely to leapfrog a Syracuse team that has beaten Virginia Tech, Stanford, and Florida on the young season.
Once again, the Syracuse depth was too much for an overmatched opponent. 10 different players logged at least 13 minutes for Syracuse and each of them scored at least 4 points. No starter was in double-figures in scoring; however, super-sub Dion Waiters scored 19 points–including an incredible dunk in transition.
In addition to Syracuse’s depth, the defense continues to be outstanding. The Orange held George Washington to 30.6% shooting, including 16.7% from three-point range. Syracuse had 11 steals, 8 blocks, and forced 18 turnovers. Syracuse came into the game leading the nation with 12.44 steals per game. They are in the top 10 in the nation in blocks. Oh, and they are averaging nearly 80 points per game. The season is young, but they are simply off to an outstanding start.
While it is too early for the ACC to take full credit for Syracuse being #1, if it cannot be one of the current ACC teams, at least it is a future ACC team!
Syracuse's Fab Melo (51) and CJ Fair (5) team up for the block (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli)
The Confidential 
Pingback: Hoops Recap: Saturday Not Kind to the ACC | ATLANTIC COAST CONFIDENTIAL