But despite many doubting Syracuse’s chance, the Orange did gain a berth in the NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 10 seed in the Midwest Regional. With victories over No. 7 seed Dayton and No. 15 seed Middle Tennessee State, SU has now reached a Sweet 16 matchup with No. 11 seed Gonzaga. Pundits can now nag about Syracuse’s “fortunate” (or lucky) path through the tournament.
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If the Orange (21-13, 9-9 ACC) beat the Bulldogs (28-7, 15-3 WCC) on Friday, it will be one of the easiest routes a team has ever taken to the Elite Eight. For Syracuse, other teams have done its dirty work. Miraculously, Syracuse has avoided Midwest favorites Michigan State, Utah and Seton Hall — the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 6 seeds in the region.
Syracuse could become one of the few teams to advance to the Elite Eight after beating two double-digit seeds, one of which was a No. 15. Three years ago, the Florida Gators made it to the Elite Eight by beating a No. 14, No. 11 and No. 15.
Historically, of the eight times a No. 15 seed has beaten a No. 2 seed, five times it has advanced to play a No. 10 seed. This year, for No. 15 Middle Tennessee State, that No. 10 was Syracuse, who beat the Blue Raiders 75-50 on Sunday night.
Only once — in 1991 when Temple beat No. 7 seed Purdue, No. 15 seed Richmond and No. 3 seed Oklahoma State — has a No. 10 seed reached the Elite Eight after beating a No. 15 seed earlier in the Tournament.
Sunday was an all-around special day for Syracuse hoops, with not only the men’s team reaching the Sweet 16 but the SU women’s team reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.
