'Cuse Missing With Everything on Line

It was another chance for a big home win for Syracuse.

But, like most of the Orange's shots in the final minutes, it ended as another miss.

Syracuse tossed a bucket of cold water on its own comeback in the final minutes, missing six shots in the final 60 seconds as a late rally turned into an 89-86 .

The Orange have now dropped seven of their last 10, and jump shots aren't the only thing they have to worry about missing.

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Syracuse is not yet in any real danger of missing the NCAA tournament for a third straight year. The Orange played a solid non-conference schedule with wins over Memphis, Kansas and Florida, and should finish at least .500 in the Big East with upcoming games against St. John's and Rutgers all but certain to assure nine wins.

But there is seeding to think of, and dropping this game was costly.

Syracuse has lost five straight to ranked teams in conference. Against the seven teams the Orange are looking up at in the standings, they're only 1-6. Overall, Syracuse is staggering with seven losses in their last 10 games.

Undoubtedly, Syracuse's seed line is now headed south, particularly with the emphasis the committee puts on a team's finish to the season.

Almost as worrying, the Orange is barely hanging on to eighth in the Big East standings. And that could be costly. For the first time, the Big East is allowing all 16 teams to participate in the league tournament. But in an effort to keep its top teams from tiring before the Big Dance, teams ranked first through fourth get a bye the first two days and teams ranked fifth through eigth get a bye for the first day. So hanging on to that eighth spot buys the 'Cuse an extra day to rest up.

But, of course, it's all about NCAA tournament seeding and that's where the Orange need to help themselves.

Syracuse really needs to win at least three of their final four games to have a real chance to make the Final Four. They are tied with Cincinnati at 7-7 and still have to play the Bearcats. The winner of that game will be positioned to finish in the eighth spot in the Big East standings and get that crucial day of rest heading into the postseason.

As usual, Syracuse is not making it easy on itself.