Daily links: Apparently, Syracuse is becoming a problem for bracketologists

Hey, as you probably figured I’m back from Italy. And given that, we might as well get back to the daily links.

Today’s big item is Joe Lunardi’s wondering aloud about what to do with the Syracuse Orange basketball program -- especially given his tendency to swing and miss on us in recent years. He’s alright with us getting in for now, but anything less than a 1-1 record during this week’s two contests probably moves us out of the play-in games.

The morals of this story, as always: There’s still a lot of season left. Also, Syracuse still has control of its own destiny and it would behoove them to pick up a win or two (at least) on the road against quality ACC opponents to help secure our place. Last year, we didn’t have the differentiating wins away from the Carrier Dome, and a few championship week upsets were enough to knock us out late. Get the work done and put together an unquestionable resume, however, and it doesn’t matter what else happens around the country.

That, plus the rest of today’s links below:

Bracketology’s most vexing question: What to do with Syracuse? (ESPN)

Except for you-know-who, the team that -- incredibly, improbably, uncannily -- is once again you-know-where. In other words, what have we done to offend the bracket gods so badly that “Syracuse” and “bubble team” are once again leading storylines heading into the prime Bracketology period?

Is this the longest Syracuse basketball has been out of Associated Press Top 25 poll? (Syracuse.com)

Syracuse has not been in the Associated Press Top 25 poll since Nov. 28, 2016. That’s a span of more than a year. 60 weeks to be precise. Syracuse was ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll that was released on Nov. 28, 2016.

Mangakahia named finalist for Nancy Lieberman Award (Cuse.com)

Mangakahia currently paces the Orange in 14 statistical categories including points per game (17.6), assists (221) and steals (54). The national leader in assists and assists per game (10.0), Mangakahia has tallied an Atlantic Coast Conference high 10 double doubles this season.

Pitching wasn’t the easiest path, but it led to Alexa Romero becoming Syracuse’s ace (Daily Orange)

After her first year playing softball, Romero approached her parents. She wanted to pitch. Her parents said absolutely not, citing the time and difficulty as factors behind not becoming a pitcher. But with few positions for a left-handed softball player, Romero eventually convinced her parents to let her try it.

Syracuse finds offense from three underclassmen (Daily Orange)

While Eastwood leads the team in assists with 14, Rowswell has been a jack-of-all trades for SU. Sitting second on the team in goals (seven) and fifth in assists (six), Rowswell has taken a team-high 69 shots this season. But it’s been Avery who’s stepped up the most, leading the team in both goals (10) and points (17).

Syracuse lacrosse’s Nick Mellen pumped to return to lineup: ‘The emotion is crazy’ (Syracuse.com)

‘Magic cream’ propels three-set comeback for Masha Tritou in Syracuse win (Daily Orange)

Tiana’s journey to Syracuse: Mangakahia brings Aussie flair to SU women’s hoops program (CNYCentral)

Pete Sala mistakenly sends home renovation plans to entire student body (Daily Orange)

Gait blames lack of chemistry for Syracuse’s up-and-down 2017 (US Lacrosse Magazine)