SYRACUSE -- It wasn't always pretty but SU fans were happy with any win they could get against Rick Pitino. Syracuse beat the Cardinals 52- 51 on the road and broke a seven game losing streak against Louisville.

A championship run is looking more realistic with every win and fans at Rosie's in Syracuse were balancing excitement with caution on Monday night.

"Anything is possible. I think the only other team worthy of the number one spot is Kentucky," said Tom Resch.

SU lost the top spot in the AP and Coaches polls after losing to Notre Dame on January 21st. Kentucky has held the number one ranking since then but several SU fans say wins over UConn and Louisville might be enough to put the Orange back on top.

"We were the talk of the league for I don't know how long and one game we lost without Melo and now we're not getting any votes? I don't understand the logic of that but I still think we're number one," said Jim Johnson.

The rankings are released on Monday afternoons so Orange fans will have to wait until next week to see if the national voters were impressed with SU's win at Louisville.

"All that matters is March and that's when we're going to win it all," said Xiomara Cordoba.