Syracuse men’s basketball gets 12-to-1 odds to reach Final Four

We’re not even at football season yet, so it’s understandable you’re not necessarily applying expectations to the upcoming Syracuse Orange men’s basketball season. However, it does appear that Las Vegas sportsbooks are happy to do so.

According to the recently released Westgate Superbook Final Four odds, Syracuse has a 12-to-1 chance to reach the Final Four. That sort of evaluation puts them in the same sort of stratosphere as teams like Tennessee, Purdue, Indiana, Virginia Tech and Florida State. It’s still a run below some of the favorites, however, like Duke, Kansas and Kentucky (all getting 5-to-4 odds right now).

Even if you’re a bit more risk-averse, there are worse things you could do than gamble on this line for the Orange to make the Final Four (not even win it all). The NCAA Tournament is a crapshoot. Worst-case, you’re out somewhere between $10 and (for the far more insane) $1,000. Best-case? Syracuse makes its seventh Final Four in program history and you’re up anywhere from $120 to $12,000.

The rest of your Syracuse-related links below.

Syracuse men’s basketball gets 12-to-1 odds at 2019 Final Four (Westgate Superbook)

ACC leaders: Duke (5/4), North Carolina (9/2), Virginia (9/2), Syracuse (12/1), Florida State (15/1), Virginia Tech (15/1), Clemson (20/1), Miami (20/1), NC State (20/1), Louisville (25/1), Notre Dame (25/1), Boston College (75/1), Georgia Tech (100/1), Wake Forest (100/1), Pitt (1,000/1... HAHAHAHAHA)

ACC power rankings: Clemson leads the way (USA Today)

12. Syracuse: We’re still waiting for Syracuse to pop under Dino Babers. More patience would be good. I can’t figure out why this would be the year, unless you believe quarterback Eric Dungey takes a mammoth step forward in 2018 and leads this offensive scheme to its full potential. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Orange got to six or seven wins, but nor would I be shocked by another year at 4-8.

ACC Wildcard Players in 2018 (Athlon Sports)

Syracuse, Offense: Devin Butler, WR — In head coach Dino Babers’ system, a receiver will put up big numbers and this year it may be Butler. Steve Ishmael and Ervin Phillips combined for 194 catches, 2,251 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017. That is production that needs to come from other sources. Butler did catch 33 passes of his own, but averaged just 9.9 yards per reception with a single touchdown.

Syracuse football recruiting: 3-star Michigan DL Darius Robinson releases Top 7 (Syracuse.com)

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Canton (Mich.) High School prospect is rated three stars and the No. 41 strong-side defensive end in the Class of 2019 by 247Sports.com’s composite rankings. His offer sheet includes every school in his Top 7 as well as Iowa State, Purdue and Boston College, among others.

ACC Football Over/Unders: Where’s the Easy Money? (Tar Heel Blog)

Syracuse (O -110, U -110): I forgot the extent of the Cuse’s collapse last year. They were 4-3 with a win over Clemson and three close L’s to good competition and Middle Tennessee, then...two close losses to the Florida schools, and got outscored 152-67 over the final three. Man, look. I’ve got no idea with this team. I’d call for a push and lean towards the under, but I say that with negligible confidence.

Syracuse football WR assistant Lanear Sampson takes job at Missouri State (Syracuse.com)

Ex-Syracuse basketball player Malachi Richardson enters critical summer with Toronto (Syracuse.com)

Ex-Syracuse basketball player Chris McCullough to play for Philadelphia 76ers in NBA Summer League (Syracuse.com)

Report: Ex-Syracuse basketball player Andrew White on Atlanta Hawks’ summer league roster (Syracuse.com)

Syracuse Football: 2018 DB DuWayne Johnson adds ‘elite instincts’ (Inside the Loud House)