Since there are no more Syracuse games to watch before Selection Sunday, we’ve got you covered with which contests the Orange and sweating SU fans should keep an eye on. Jim Boeheim’s team seems to be sitting square on the bubble after Wednesday’s 62-57 loss to Miami in the second round of the ACC tournament. The Orange has six wins against teams in the BPI Top 50 – three coming against opponents that were in the AP Top 10 when SU won – but also a 2-12 record away from home and losses to Connecticut, Georgetown and St. John’s out of conference.

Here are 10 games Syracuse should keep an eye on Thursday, with whom the SU fan should be pulling for in each.

Illinois vs. Michigan, noon, Big Ten Network

After a scary plane incident yesterday for the Wolverines, John Beilein’s team flew to Washington D.C. early Thursday morning for a noon tip against the Fighting Illini. Michigan is firmly in the field as a No. 9 seed, according to bracketmatrix.com, while Illinois is one of the first four teams out.

Who SU should root for: Michigan

UT San Antonio vs. Middle Tennessee, 12:30 p.m.

Syracuse’s NCAA Tournament round of 32 opponent from a season ago has the best chance to get in of any mid-major, but to avoid the sweat SU needs the Blue Raiders to win the Conference USA tournament and prevent a bid-stealer. Getting by UTSA is the first step to doing that.

Who SU should root for: Middle Tennessee

Indiana vs. Iowa, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2

The Hoosiers started off the year knocking off Kansas and reaching the top 10 but have since taken a nosedive. Now, Tom Crean’s team could play spoiler since its well on the outside of the field, while Iowa is bracketmatrix.com’s third team outside the field in between Kansas St. and Illinois.

Who SU should root for: Indiana

Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m., SEC Network

The Aggies 8-10 record during SEC play has it firmly outside the bracket, but the Commodores would presumably hurt Syracuse’s chances at squeaking into the field with a win in its tournament second round. Right now, Vandy is barely favored more than SU on bracketmatrix.com.

Who SU should root for: Texas A&M

Xavier vs. No. 18 Butler, 7 p.m., Fox Sports 1

Chris Mack’s team narrowly avoided disaster against DePaul in the second round of the Big East tournament Wednesday night, and now the Musketeers get a chance for a signature win that could solidify its berth in the field of 68. Bracketmatrix.com currently projects Xavier as a No. 11 seed, four spots overall above Syracuse but still close enough that a loss might make it a close call come Sunday.

Who SU should root for: Butler

Kansas State vs. No. 9 Baylor, 9 p.m., ESPNU

The Wildcats can firmly put themselves in the field with a top-10 win in the big 12 quarterfinal but also make the wait until Selection Sunday especially strenuous with a loss. Bracketmatrix.com has KSU as the second team outside the field, so it’s pretty clear who Orange fans should pull for.

Who SU should root for: Baylor

USC vs. No. 3 UCLA, 11:30 p.m., ESPN

The Bruins are the No. 3 team in the nation and not even projected by most as a top-two seed. That’s how bad the Pac-12 was this season. USC’s 24-8 record with a 10-8 mark in league play has it resting uncomfortably on the bubble, and a win against Steve Alford’s squad would push it firmly into the field. A loss, however, may make things interesting.

Who SU should root for: UCLA

Other teams Syracuse should root for, but don’t need as badly:

Tennessee – against Georgia, 1 p.m., SEC Network

Utah – against California, 5:30 p.m., Pac 12 Network

Creighton – against Providence, 9:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1

Published on March 9, 2017 at 12:39 pm

Contact Matt: mcschnei@syr.edu | @matt_schneidman