Syracuse basketball is receiving votes in both major polls

The Syracuse men’s basketball team is receiving votes in the AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll.

The Orange, now 8-1 on the season with the only loss coming to then-No. 2 Kansas, defeated UConn and Colgate this past week by a combined 23 points.

In the AP Poll, Syracuse received two votes. In the Coaches Poll, SU received 10.

The Orange started the season unranked and will likely stay unranked for at least a few more. With only one game on the schedule this week (at Georgetown on Saturday), Syracuse won’t be able to improve their resume enough to get the push needed.

And in reality, the polls don’t mean much right now — or for most of the season. If Syracuse can continue to win the games they should, hang in the tighter games and maybe upset a few teams during league play, we shouldn’t be all that worried come March.

We’ve seen two different SU teams this season though. Despite being 8-1, there have been stretches in virtually every game that have been worrisome. The only consistent piece Syracuse has right now night in and night out is Tyus Battle.

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With that said, the pieces are there for Syracuse to keep this thing trending in the right direction. Freshman Oshae Brissett is beginning to emerge as the No. 2 scorer behind Battle, and Frank Howard - despite badly struggling at times - has been pretty damn good. Especially if you look at his body of work his first three years on campus.

If you told me two months ago Syracuse would start he season 8-1 and Frank Howard would be averaging 14-plus points and over six assists per game, I’d say sign me up. The turnovers have been an issue, but something that can be (hopefully) corrected.

Marek Dolezaj has been a much-needed spark off the bench for the Orange, Matt Moyer had a breakout game against UConn and showed what he can do and Paschal Chuwku is starting to figure out his role. As for Bourama Sidibe, it’s hard not to be excited for what he can bring — but he has to get healthy first. Hopefully he’ll be good to go on Saturday.

Again, the polls don’t mean much but it is nice to be recognized for the good work thus far. A win on Saturday would inch SU a bit closer towards a ranking.