Now that the Syracuse University Men's Basketball team has passed its first test as the #1 team in the country, many fans are wondering how long will the Orange hang on as the nation's #1 team?
Theoretically, SU's reign at the top of the polls could end at any time. Tuesday against Bucknell, Thursday against Tulane, New Years Day at DePaul.
But none of those outcomes are likely, Syracuse proved Saturday night they are, perhaps, the deepest and most talented team in America.
Many ESPN experts, including Andy Katz seem to think when #8 Marquette comes to the Carrier Dome, but just being an ESPN expert doesn't mean it'll happen. Katz is one of the most revered college writers, but his colleague Dana O'Neil predicted the Orange would fall to NC State, safe to say that didn't happen.
Here's a look at SU's next ten games, certainly feel free to tell us when you think the Orange will...or if they'll lose. But here's a look at the road ahead
Tuesday, December 20th, home vs. Bucknell--
The Bison is a talented Patriot league team, that won the last time they played in the Carrier Dome in the 2005-2006 season.
Thursday, December 22nd, home vs. Tulane
Tulane has surprised many people and started the season 10-0 before losing its first game. They already knocked off a BCS level team this year in Georgia Tech.
Wednesday December 28, home vs. Seton Hall
The Hall looks good this year, and is one of Joe Lunardi's last four in on Bracketology. Orange fans certainly hope a repeat of last year's 90-68 loss in the Dome to the Hall isn't repeated.
Sunday, January 1st at DePaul
Yes, DePaul has been the weakest in the Big East for a couple years now, but Oliver Purnell has them on the rise. The top flight Orange of 2010 struggled to beat the Demons on the road.
Wednesday January 4th at Providence
Friar Nation will be amped up to play Syracuse, whether SU is #1 or unranked.
Saturday January 7th vs. Marquette
The Golden Eagles are a top-ten team, they also have beaten the Orange two games in a row (including eliminating the Orange from the 2011 NCAA Tournament)
Wednesday January 11th, at Villanova
'Nova is down this year, that's for sure. But winning in Philly is never easy.
Saturday January 14th, vs. Providence
SU leads the all-time series with Providence 44-10, and 18-3 at the Carrier Dome
Monday January 16th vs. Pittsburgh
The Panthers always seem to have SU's number, Jamie Dixon's record against SU is 9-2 and the those two losses came in 2004 and 2006, more than 5 years ago.
If I had to make a guess, again, this is just a guess, I'd say the Orange would stay perfect until that date on the 16th with the Panthers. Clearly, any of the games listed could unseat the Orange, but this year's team looks fantastic and looks to have the tools to beat anyone in the nation. That said there will be losses, and while its hard to imagine, or predict where those losses will come history and style of play leads me to believe it would be against Pittsburgh.
What do you think? Will SU lose at all, and if they do when will the loss come?
