Helena Frye
Syracuse Orange basketball has a rich history, with a national following and a record-breaking attendance. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament 39 times, winning in 2003, and have made it to the Final Four six times. However, they have missed out on March Madness for the last three years. In 2024, Syracuse faced off against NC State in the first round of the ACC tournament but lost, ending their chances of going to the NCAA tournament that season. In 2025, Syracuse again failed to make the cut for the 68-team bracket. Despite this, there are still familiar names in the tournament from Syracuse, and the team has a realistic path to an NCAA Tournament invite in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024, 2025 |
| Participation in March Madness | No |
| Performance | Defeated in the second round of the ACC tournament |
| Performance in the regular season | 20-12 |
| Conference play | 11-9 |
| First-round opponent | No. 8 Connecticut in Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Notable players | Copeland, Goodine, Brown, Anselem |
| Number of appearances in the NCAA tournament | 39 |
| Combined record | 69-40 |
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What You'll Learn
Syracuse's absence from March Madness in 2024
Syracuse basketball's absence from March Madness in 2024 marks the team's longest NCAA Tournament drought in over 50 years. The team has a strong defence, but their perimeter defence, specifically their 3-point shooting percentage, is lacking. They have won every game they should, but have not picked up a marquee win. Syracuse needed a deep run in the ACC Tournament to have a shot at reaching the 2024 Big Dance but lost to a determined N.C. State in the second round, dashing their hopes.
Syracuse's performance in the 2023-2024 season has been disappointing, with the team hitting a new low point with a fall of 84-91 to Miami. The Orange have only one signature quad one win, over North Carolina at home. They have made the NCAA tournament a total of 39 times, the last time being in 2021 when they were seeded 11th. Their deepest run was in 2003 when they won the national championship with Carmelo Anthony, then a freshman, on the team.
Despite their absence from March Madness, there are some positives for the team. Their defence, led by Maliq Brown, has been strong, and they have improved their recruiting under second-year coach Adrian Autry. Syracuse's performance in the NIT will also be a good indicator of their progress under Autry. While they may not be dancing this March, there are still some wild games to look forward to, and the team can focus on improving for the next season.
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Syracuse's 2023-24 season performance
Syracuse Orange's 2023-24 season performance has been impressive, with the team winning 20 regular-season games, a feat they had not achieved in a decade. The team had a winning overall record and a conference record, an impressive feat given the young talent on the roster.
However, their performance in the postseason tournaments fell short of expectations. In the ACC tournament, Syracuse lost in the second round to N.C. State, marking the third consecutive year that the team did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Syracuse faced some challenging opponents throughout the season, including ranked teams such as Virginia and Miami, against whom they lost by a close margin of 13 points combined. They also suffered defeats against Colgate and Bryant, and a trouncing by then-ranked Illinois, where they scored only 44 points.
Despite not making it to the NCAA Tournament, Syracuse's performance in the 2023-24 season has been a step in the right direction. With a mix of young talent and a winning record, the team has shown potential for future success.
While Syracuse fans may be disappointed to miss out on the excitement of March Madness, they can take pride in the team's regular-season accomplishments and look forward to the promise of future seasons.
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Syracuse's 2025 NCAA Tournament chances
Syracuse University's men's basketball team did not qualify for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The team finished the 2024-25 season with a 14-19 record. While the team had won games, they had not secured a marquee win.
Syracuse's women's basketball team also did not make the 2025 NCAA Tournament. However, several former Syracuse players and coaches participated in the tournament. The SU women's basketball program's career leader in wins, Hillsman, led the team to the national championship game in 2016. He ended his tenure with a 319-169 record and nine NCAA tournament appearances.
Syracuse's men's basketball team has a history of success, having made the NCAA Tournament in previous years. The team's performance in the 2024-25 season, however, fell short of the standard required to qualify for the tournament.
Looking ahead to 2026, Syracuse's chances of making the NCAA Tournament will depend on several factors. The team will need to improve their win record and secure marquee wins. They will also need to perform well in the ACC Tournament, with a target of winning at least four games in a row. Additionally, they will need to stay competitive against strong opponents such as Georgia Tech, NC State, and Virginia Tech. Beating teams like Notre Dame and Louisville, who have losing records, will be crucial.
Overall, Syracuse's chances of making the 2026 NCAA Tournament will depend on their ability to consistently win games, including against notable opponents, and improve their overall record.
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Syracuse's history in the NCAA Tournament
Syracuse Orange basketball has a long and storied history in the NCAA Tournament. The program rose to national prominence early in its history, being recognised as national champions in 1918 and 1926 by the Helms Athletic Foundation. Syracuse made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1957 and has since become a regular fixture in March Madness, with a record of 53-29.
In the 2008-09 season, Syracuse, led by sophomore guard Jonny Flynn, gained significant media attention after a 127-117 upset of UConn in six overtimes. This game, known as "the Game that wouldn't end", lasted into the early morning hours of March 13, 2009, and solidified their seeding in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Syracuse advanced to the Sweet 16 that year, but their season ended with a loss before they could reach the Final Four.
The 2012-13 season was Syracuse's last in the Big East Conference, and it was a memorable one. Led by sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams and junior forward C.J. Fair, the team made its fifth trip to the Final Four. The following season, Syracuse started 25-0 in the ACC before losing six of its last nine games, finishing second in the regular-season standings.
In 2015, Syracuse was ordered by the NCAA to vacate 101 wins from five different seasons due to violations. However, the school still claims all of its NCAA Tournament appearances and conference titles from those years.
More recently, in the 2020-21 season, Syracuse again made it to the Sweet 16, upsetting 3-seeded West Virginia before falling to eventual Final Four participant Houston. While Syracuse has not made the NCAA Tournament field in recent years, they have a rich history in the tournament and have provided their fans with many memorable moments.
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Syracuse's basketball team and players
Syracuse University's basketball team, the Syracuse Orange, has a rich history in the sport, with the university fielding its first varsity basketball team in the 1916–17 season. The program rose to national prominence early on, recognised as national champions in 1918 and 1926 by the Helms Athletic Foundation. Syracuse also has a strong rivalry with the Villanova Wildcats, with their games attracting some of the biggest college basketball crowds ever and breaking the NCAA on-campus basketball attendance record twice.
The Orange have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 39 times, with a combined record of 69–40. They have won the tournament once, in 2003, and have been runners-up twice, in 1987 and 1996. They have also reached the Final Four six times and the Elite Eight ten times.
In recent years, the team has struggled to replicate this success, missing out on March Madness for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024. In 2024, the Orange went 20-12 in the regular season and 11-9 in conference play, losing their at-large bid on Selection Sunday.
However, the 2023-24 season showed promise, with Syracuse winning two straight and going 4-2 over its last six league games. Notable players in recent years include Copeland, who played multiple positions and averaged 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 22.3 minutes per game as a sophomore in 2023-24, and Brown, who filled in at centre and earned All-ACC defensive honours as a sophomore in 2023-24.
While Syracuse has a long and storied history in college basketball, their path to March Madness is often challenging, and they must consistently perform at a high level to secure a spot in the tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Syracuse basketball will miss out on the 2024 March Madness tournament for the third year in a row.
Syracuse needs to win at least 20 games to have a shot at reaching March Madness. They also need to beat Virginia Tech at home and Louisville on the road.
Syracuse has only won the NCAA tournament once, in 2003. They have been runners-up twice, in 1987 and 1996, and have six Final Four appearances.
Syracuse basketball rose to national prominence in the early 20th century, being recognised as national champions in 1918 and 1926. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament 39 times, with a combined record of 69-40. Syracuse has also produced several notable players, including Hall of Famers Vic Hanson, Dave Bing, and Wilmeth Sidat-Singh.
