With just six games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season, the Syracuse Orange are locked in a fierce battle to clinch a spot in the highly competitive ACC Tournament. They’re currently hovering on the edge, with everything still to play for—either they could slip out of the race, or pull off a late surge and potentially secure a coveted bye.
At 14th in the ACC standings, Syracuse has a tough road ahead, sitting at 5-9 in conference play and 11-14 overall. While the top six teams have established themselves, the Orange are locked in a tight group with several other teams battling for a spot. Teams like Pittsburgh, Florida State, and Virginia Tech are in a similar situation, all separated by just a couple of wins in either direction.
For Syracuse, the key to advancing lies in their remaining schedule, which is full of potential game-changers. The most critical matchups? A home game against NC State, followed by contests against Virginia Tech and Virginia—both could dramatically impact the standings and Syracuse’s tournament hopes.
The new ACC Tournament format adds a layer of intrigue, with seeds No. 10 to No. 15 battling it out in the first round. With the right mix of wins, Syracuse could secure a double-digit seed, with a potential climb to No. 9 in the standings. But with top-ranked teams like UNC, Pitt, and SMU still on the horizon, the Orange will have to dig deep and pull off some upsets to keep their dreams alive.
On the flip side, could Syracuse completely miss the tournament? It’s a long shot, but with bottom-tier teams like Miami, NC State, and Boston College nipping at their heels, the Orange must stay focused to maintain their slim cushion.
The ACC is more volatile than ever, and as the regular season draws to a close, expect plenty of shakeups in the standings. Can Syracuse rise to the challenge, or will they fall short in the race for an ACC Tournament bid? The next few weeks will be critical—every game counts!
