Syracuse Women's Basketball: Orange Still Unranked Despite Duke Blowout

The Syracuse Orange are unranked in the 9th week of the AP Poll. However, they are still receiving votes. Syracuse received 52 votes, just 26 votes away from cracking the top 25. Duke, who Syracuse defeated 86-50 in the Carrier Dome on Sunday, moved down from No. 12 to  No. 18 - six spots.

Last week Syracuse received only 14 votes. Beating Duke and winning four straight games has Syracuse on a steady rise. The last time Syracuse was ranked was week five, ranked at No. 19. Syracuse is receiving the most votes of any team not ranked, so hopefully the Orange make the top 25 next week.

The ACC teams that are ranked in the AP Poll are Notre Dame at 3, Duke at 18, and Florida St at 19. Virginia Tech, Miami (FL) and Louisville are also receiving votes.

Despite the lack of poll rankings, the Orange are predicted to be a 5th-seed in the NCAA Tournament by Charlie Creme of ESPN. According to Creme's bracketology, Syracuse would face BYU in the first round as the 12th seed. The ACC is on pace to have seven teams in the tournament. The Orange have also played potential tournament teams Washington, Tennessee, Maryland and Arizona State.

Syracuse's next game is at Chapel Hill to take on North Carolina, on Thursday, January 7th at 7 pm. The game is streamable on ESPN3. UNC is 11-5 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. They are not anticipated to make the NCAA Tournament.