As our attention begins to turn to next year, it feels like the perfect time to put the finishing touches on a historic 2023-24 season for the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team under ACC Coach of the Year Felisha Leggett-Jack.
The word “historic” was used multiple times as Syracuse overcame low preseason expectations to win 24 games in the regular season, finish second in the ACC regular season standings and make its 13th NCAA Tournament appearance in 43 years.
But not much has been done to contextualize Syracuse's recent season against other one-season campaigns in the program's history, and today we'll do just that by answering the final two questions about the Orange from last year.
- When discussing the 2023-24 Orange, how “historic” are we talking about here?
- How does last season compare to other single-season campaigns in women's basketball history?
Starting with just the program’s season as a member of the ACC, most numbers point to a clear top-three contender in 2023-24.
Per Sports Reference, the 2023-24 Orange finished with a 24-8 overall record and a 13-5 record against the ACC, giving them the third-most wins overall (behind 2015-16 and 2018-19) and second-most wins against the ACC (behind 2015-16) in the team's 11-year history in the ACC. During that same span, last year marked just the fourth time Syracuse had finished sixth or higher in the NCAA Tournament.
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David Butler II – USA TODAY Sports
Now, here's some important background information: The ACC switched to an 18-game conference schedule starting in 2019-20, so the Orange played a few more games, which likely translated into more wins. Like the 2023-24 Orange, their single seasons in 2014-15, 2016-17 and 2018-19 also ended with five conference losses.
But, dare I say it, one might argue that this actually makes the 2023-24 Orange even more valuable.
Despite playing two extra conference games, Syracuse tied the 2015-16 squad for the fewest total losses of any team during its time in the ACC last year. The Orange also finished second in total win percentage and ACC win percentage last season, both of which were behind the 2015-16 NCAA runner-up team.
We also know that last year's Orange defied many of the preseason expectations with a combination of resilience, incredible wins and some good fortune, all while being under the complete shock of all this success happening right before our eyes. (Author's note: Remember, Syracuse was projected to finish ninth in the preconference standings last season.)It's not just a story, it's in the numbers.
In Syracuse's 11 years in the ACC, there have been eight seasons (including 2023-24) in which the team was ranked in the AP Top 25. Of those eight seasons, 2023-24 is the only season in which Syracuse was ranked in the AP Top 25 and initially started in the top 25 but made the NCAA Tournament. Outside AP Top 25.
Syracuse's single season appearances in the AP Poll (ACC only)
| Single Season Syracuse WBB Team | Preseason AP Poll | Highest ranking in AP poll | Final AP Poll | NCAA Tournament? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Season Syracuse WBB Team | Preseason AP Poll | Highest ranking in AP poll | Final AP Poll | NCAA Tournament? |
| 2013-14 | N/A | 20 | N/A | Yes, round two |
| 2014-15 | twenty five | 19 | N/A | Yes, round two |
| 2015-16 | twenty three | 14 | 14 | Yes, runner-up |
| 2016-17 | 14 | 11 | twenty one | Yes, round two |
| 2018-19 | 18 | 12 | 15 | Yes, round two |
| 2019-20 | twenty one | 17 | N/A | N/A* (tournament canceled) |
| 2020-21 | twenty three | 18 | N/A | Yes, round two |
| 2023-24 | N/A | 17 | 20 | Yes, round two |
While not No. 1 all-time, last year's team still ranks highly when considering the Orange's 43 overall seasons. (Author's note: Sports-Reference goes back to 1981-82).
In its 43-year history, the 2023-24 Orange are tied with the 2012-13 team for the fifth-most wins (behind 2015-16, 2018-19, 2010-11 and 2009-10). Syracuse's eight losses last year also tied that team's all-time record. Minimum The most ever (participated in 2015-16 and 2012-13).
Yes, we acknowledge again that playing two more games may have given the 2023-24 team an advantage over that Big East-era Syracuse team (which also played 16 conference games), but if you rank every single Orange season by win totals, you can see how close the overall standings are and how much of a difference those extra games made.
Still, two historical factors work in Syracuse's favor.
- 1) The 2023-24 team still finished with the fourth-best conference winning percentage in program history (.722; behind 2015-16, 1987-88 and 1985-86).
- 2) Last year marked the third year that Syracuse University finished in the AP Top 20 and won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament.
Again, going from initial expectations to the end result, the 2023-24 Orange have accomplished more than many thought possible.
Now, if I had to personally rank the 2023-24 record among other Syracuse single-season teams, last year's record would probably be in the top five. The 2015-16 season is far better than the others. The 2018-19 team finished high in the final Associated Press poll and was a No. 3 seed in the tournament, so it'd probably be No. 2.
After that, the 2023-24 Syracuse would move from No. 3 through No. 7 all-time. Other candidates for the top five “Best Syracuse Single-Season Teams” include 1987-88, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2016-17.
Now it's your turn: How historic do you think the 2023-24 Orange will be? Let us know in the comments below.
