Undefeated Syracuse Undefeated No More

This is the most put together Jim Boeheim looked all night.

Recently there had been a lot of “what if” talk about Syracuse University and their basketballin’ boys in orange. Specifically regarding their No. 1 seed potential in the NCAA Tournament, should they finish the season undefeated.

The emphasis on should they because, despite an impressive 25-0 record, very few seemed convinced the Orangemen were quite as good as their record suggested. Turns out there might be more than a little truth to that assertion.

Though Syracuse remained unbeaten this season until late February, they’ve been due for a loss all month long, starting with a 91-89 OT win over Duke on the 1st.

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Former Big East rival Pittsburgh, who joined the Orange in their move to the ACC, had Syracuse beat 56-55 on the 12th. That is until a last second three-point buzzerbeater flipped the script in the most crushing way possible on the Panthers, who were defeated 58-56.

Three days later it was NC State coming up just short. The Wolfpack hung in there all game with the Orangemen, but ultimately it was Syracuse walking away with the 56-55 win. They also played a relatively close game against Notre Dame and a not at all close game against Clemson.

While it’s clear Syracuse was, for a lack of a better word, due for a loss, who would’ve thought lowly Boston College would be the one to deliver the blow. The Eagles were 6-19—2-10 in ACC play—coming into the Carrier Dome to take on the undefeated Orange at home Wednesday night.

BC stayed aggressive and played very sound defense.

Boston College struggled early against Syracuse, playing from behind for long stretches before really turning it on a few minutes into the second half. At the end of regulation the score was tied 50-50 and it looked like “Cardiac ‘Cuse” was setting the stage for another dramatic finish.

The finish was dramatic, but not in the way Syracuse had hoped. BC’s Olivier Hanlan and Patrick Heckmann both hit threes in OT and Lonnie Jackson hit four-straight free throws in the final 26 seconds. All en route to a 62-59 Boston College upset, which ended the Orange’s unbeaten season.

Boston College’s heroics look especially heroic in this photo.

It may not feel like it now, but this was probably the best thing that could’ve happened to Syracuse. All the focus on them being undefeated was bound to become a distraction as March Madness draws closer.

Now they can focus on playing great basketball, without the burden of perfection bearing down on them.