How The Mighty Have Fallen
In 2005, Syracuse's Jim Boeheim was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. It is possible -- if not probable -- that Maryland's Gary Williams will sooner or later receive the same honor. But in 2008, both Boeheim and Williams may miss the NCAA Tournament.
For Boeheim, it would be a second consecutive absence. For Williams, it would his third absence in four years.
Syracuse is 17-2 overall and 7-9 in the Big East. With an RPI of 57, the Orange are 1-5 in the last month, 1-7 against the RPI Top 50, and 4-7 away from home. Their only great win, over Georgetown on Feb. 16, is cancelled out by their only terrible loss, to South Florida three days prior.
A loss at Seton Hall on Wednesday would all but pop Syracuse's bubble. A win at Marquette on Saturday would keep the Orange on life support heading into the Big East Tournament.
Maryland is 18-12 overall and 9-7 in the ACC. With an RPI of 58, the Terrapins are 2-4 in the last three weeks, 1-6 against the RPI Top 50, and 5-6 away from home. Their only great win, over North Carolina in mid-February, is cancelled out by two bad losses, to American and Boston College a month prior.
A loss at Virginia on Sunday would put Maryland on very thin ice heading into the ACC Tournament.
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