Syracuse, N.Y. – It would be hyperbolic to say that Syracuse’s hopes for an NCAA tournament bid were on the line Tuesday as the Orange hosted 13 th -ranked Tennessee at the JMA Wireless Dome.

But still, this game was huge.

Syracuse had come home from Las Vegas last week after losing three games to three teams currently in the Associated Press Top 25. The Orange, facing a brutal draw in the Players Era Festival, had come up just shy of wins against Houston and Kansas before collapsing in the second half against Iowa State.

Moral victories, perhaps, but those don’t help boost one’s NCAA tournament resume. Quad 1 losses are still losses in the long run.

That meant Syracuse’s last chance for a big win came down to Tuesday’s game against Tennessee.

Syracuse coach Adrian Autry tried to ge

See Full Page