Syracuse's Mental Toughness Still a Key to Success Despite Other Questions

Most Syracuse fans speculated that the recent run of top-25 matchups between the Orange and other Big East powerhouses would answer a lot of questions about the potential fate of the team in the NCAA Tournament this year. 

Well, after a brutal schedule that featured a shining victory against Notre Dame and painful losses to Georgetown, Pitt, Louisville, and Providence, it seems like there are now more questions than answers.

Syracuse (17-4, 5-3) went from a top-10 team—who had non-conference key victories over Memphis, Kansas, and Florida—to a team of players and coaches scratching their heads trying to fit in with the Big East elite.

It was not as if Syracuse embarrassed themselves overall in the matchups against the likes of Pitt, Louisville, and G’town, but it became clear that questions need to be answered in order to make a deep run into March Madness. 

Is Andy Rautins going to come back from a severe ankle sprain?

Is Arinze Onuaku going to come back strong from his recent injury?

Will early mental lapses continue to put the team in a hole?

Can Syracuse keep its opponents from second- and third-chance baskets, unlike they did against Louisville?

Will turnovers and foul shots continue to be the Achilles' heel of the Orange this year? 

Those questions combined with the major question as to whether or not the Orange are really as good as many Syracuse faithful thought, are all begging to be answered.

With the vastly improved Onuaku, the “do it all” style of Paul Harris, Jonny Flynn's leadership, the tenacity of Eric Devendorf, and the outside shooting of Rautins, it stands to reason that the Orange can put the recent three-game losing streak behind them if the stars align. 

But while injuries and foul shooting woes will continue to be wild card issues, mental lapses, turnovers, and allowing opponents second and third shots are weaknesses that can be solved. 

It’s time to get back to the basics with boxing out, minimizing turnovers, and playing smart basketball.

In a sport where athleticism is so important, the Orange need to decide whether or not they have the mental toughness to reach their potential and advance far into the tournament.  

Nobody questions the team’s talent and ability, but only time will tell if that mental toughness needed to be a truly special team suddenly materializes and takes them to the next level.