Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The undefeated No. 2 Syracuse Orange took on the also undefeated No. 8 Villanova Wildcats in a game between two potential Final Four teams. Villanova led early, but were no match for Syracuse’s talent and depth, as the Orange went on to win 78-62. With the win over Villanova, Syracuse deserves to become the No. 1 overall team in college basketball.
The current holders of the No. 1 overall spot in college basketball are the Arizona Wildcats. Arizona is 13-0, and definitely deserving of a top 5 ranking, but their wins aren’t that impressive when compared to Syracuse’s wins. Arizona’s most impressive win came against the then No. 6 Duke Blue Devils, but their other marquee win came against the 7-4 Michigan Wolverines, who started out the season with high expectations, but are clearly not the national title threat that they were predicted to be. Arizona hasn’t played against any talented teams, except Duke.
Syracuse, on the other hand, has beaten a lot better teams. On top of their win over undefeated Villanova, they won against the 10-3 Indiana Hoosiers, the No. 11 Baylor Bears, and the 10-2 Minnesota Golden Gophers. That’s four marquee wins already, and they haven’t even entered ACC conference play against teams like Duke and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Arizona is extremely talented and definitely a top team in the country, but with the win over Villanova, Syracuse deserves to overtake them as the No. 1 overall ranked team in college basketball.
Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
