Syracuse needs to win to get in
Feb 26, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) dribbles against Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Syracuse 88-68. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The time is now for Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange. Winning is the only prescription to an NCAA Tourney bid. 

Following an ugly loss to the Louisville Cardinals, the Syracuse Orange are not included in many projected brackets anymore.

If this Syracuse team wants to make the NCAA tournament, they have to run the table.

Syracuse may have defeated three wins against top 25 teams, but their non-conference woes can very well weigh them down on selection Sunday. Heading into ACC play, the Orange finished 8-5 and had lost to Connecticut, St. John’s and Georgetown. The Orange have lost four of their last five games, yet still sit with a 9-7 record in ACC play.

After losing to Georgia Tech on Feb. 19, Syracuse should come out hungry as ever this Saturday. This game is a must-win game for a Syracuse Orange team that can’t afford to lose against unranked teams moving forward. The last time these teams met, Syracuse shot 36 percent at McCamish Pavilion. This Syracuse can and should take down Georgia Tech this Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

If the Orange can get a win on Saturday and make some noise in the ACC Tournament, they have a chance to participate in the big dance. The Orange are fighting for a spot in the tournament, and that’s all they need in order to once again shock the NCAA world.