The expression “There’s always next year” wasn’t used by the Syracuse Orange fans after a very disappointing loss against Georgetown in the Big East tournament. Instead, the expression was “There’s always next week”.

The Orange put most of last week’s loss behind them, though they couldn’t put everything behind them. The one thing left from that catastrophic game that kept giving flashbacks to the whole Orange team and fans, was what happened with 5 minutes and 7 seconds left in the second half. Senior center Arinze Onuaku had to be helped off the court by two of the Orange’s athletic staff.

“It was scary, just seeing the pain on his face,” said sophomore forward Kris Joseph. “I had to walk away.”

That injury was the turning point of the game, and many say it was the reason we lost. The good news about the injury is that the MRI test results showed no breaks or fractures; Onuaku is making progress and hopes to play in the Orange’s next game.

The Orange would have to wait and see to find out who there first “victim” would be in the tournament. So at 6 o’clock eastern time, fans across the country tuned into CBS Sports to watch the Selection Sunday show. Analysts and Orange fans were expecting Syracuse to be the number 3 overall seed due to their late season losses to Louisville and to Georgetown in the tournament. Though the committee “shocked” or, as some said, “screwed” us, just like they did in the year the team was banished to the NITs, that wasn’t the case this year. The Orange were one of the four chosen number 1 seeds, though they were selected after the Duke Blue Devils.  Many thought the Orange were better than the Blue Devils, and the records even proved it.

The Orange couldn’t change the seed that they were, or where they played. They would just have to play where the committee said they would play: in Buffalo, NY.

There first opponent is the Vermont Catamounts. Remember them? The last time the Orange played the Catamounts was in 2005, when the Catamounts upset the Orange 60-57.

It’s funny how the committee works with making the match-ups; maybe they try to set up “upsets”, though there won’t be one for the Orange. The reason is, since the NCAA tournament has expanded to 64 teams a number 16 seed has never defeated a number 1 seed, though some have came close. In fact, 13 number 16 seeds have come within 10 points and five teams came within five points. Though the Catamounts have a chance, it’s unlikely.

Orange fans, athletic staff, and even head coach Jim Boeheim have not forgotten about Vermont from 2005. The players, if they don’t know already, will soon know about these guys. It’s payback time, and the Catamounts know it. This game will be a big one, as the Orange have been waiting for this moment since 2005.

Orange fans, “Lets circle the wagons” and “Let’s go Buffalo!” to watch our Orange play.