For the third time since 2016, Syracuse is headed to the Sweet 16 as a double-digit seed. In all, nine double-digit seeds have reached the regional semifinals in that time span — so the Orange have accounted for one third of them.
Later on Sunday, 15th-seeded Oral Roberts and 12th-seeded Oregon State joined that list as well. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim once again made it past the first weekend after barely qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
The Orange edged third-seeded West Virginia after knocking off San Diego State in the first round. “It's hard to make the Sweet 16.
Look around. Look at some of the teams that are out,” Boeheim said. “When I started coaching, we thought you're supposed to do that.