Syracuse No. 24 In New Poll, Feeling Tremendous

Syracuse moved up one spot in this week's USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 men's basketball coaches' poll after going 2-0 last week.  At this point it's less about what you do and more about seeing which teams in front of you get picked off early.  Former No. 19 Mississippi State lost and so out the rankings they fall.

The AP however is still not sold on the Orange and they remain on the outside looking in.

That could change if the Orange are able to beat No. 12/13 Cal on Thursday in the first of two games they'll play in the 2K Sports Classic Coaches Vs. Cancer Really Long Name semis.  Along with No. 4/6 North Carolina and No. 15/15 Ohio State, it's the first time this tournament boasts four ranked team in the semis.  Jim Boeheim is so impressed he borrows from a familiar source to express his joy:

"It’s a tremendous tournament,'' Boeheim said. "It's one of the best; if not the best preseason tournament we’ve played in.’’

From your standpoint, Jim.  From your standpoint.