In what was arguably the best college basketball game of the 2013 season, No. 2 Syracuse Orange beat No. 17 Duke 91-89 in overtime. Behind an Orange shooting attack that made 57% of their field goals, 75% of their 3-point attempts, and 81% of their free throws, Syracuse cemented their status as the number one team in the nation after an Arizona loss on Saturday night. With the win, the Orange are one of two remaining undefeated teams, along with Wichita State. However, the Orange’s undefeated season is more impressive than the Shockers because of their much tougher schedule.
Syracuse is number one in the ACC with Virginia (7-1 in conference play) and Pittsburgh (6-2 in conference play) trailing them. However, the biggest story is that Syracuse is off to the best start in school history and will be ranked number one in the nation. They received a huge, impressive effort from arguably their best player. Forward C.J. Fair had the game of his life by scoring a career and game high 28 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Fair is cementing himself as a draftable NBA prospect. Once thought to be a solid second round prospect, he could be moving himself up to the late first round with more games like this.
The 21-0 Syracuse Orange have a few tough games remaining that will threaten their undefeated season: February 12th at No. 12 Pittsburgh, a rematch with No.17 Duke on February 22nd at Cameron Indoor Stadium and at Virginia on March 1st. Coach Jim Boeheim has the Orange playing the best zone defense in all of college basketball right now and his best players are reaching their peak at the exact right time. That is a formula for success in the world of college basketball.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
