Before every game against a Top 25 opponent this season, Syracuse guard Cornelia Fondren said her teammates often look at each other and say, “This is the game. This is the game we have to get them. This is the game we have to beat them.”

“Them” in this case refers to South Carolina, Baylor, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Duke. These five teams were ranked at the time SU played them this season, and the only five teams SU has lost to.

Against unranked opponents, the No. 23 Orange (15-5, 5-2 Atlantic Coast) is a perfect 15-0.

On Thursday at 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, the Orange play its sixth ranked opponent of the season, No. 8 Louisville (18-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast). SU then travels to Tallahassee, Florida for a 7 p.m. matchup on Monday against No. 9 Florida State.

“(This stretch) is important, because we have to get some of those double-dollar signs beside our name on those RPI ratings and rankings,” Orange head coach Quentin Hillsman said. “ … If we go out and win some of these games, we’re going to be in a great position going into the final weeks of the season.

“On the other side, if we don’t get a couple of these games, we’re going to be scratching and clawing trying to get back on top.”

This weekend begins a stretch against three ranked opponents — the Orange hosts No. 16 North Carolina on Feb. 5 — and a period of nine games in 29 days. With six games against unranked opponents to end the regular season, these next three games will be crucial for the Orange to end its Top 25 struggles.

“We have to at least win two, at least win two,” Fondren said. “I would be happy if we win all three, which I have confidence in. We can definitely win all three … Once we get over the hump, I feel like no one will be able to stop us.”

The Orange lost by four points to No. 1 South Carolina on Nov. 28 after leading by 10 with 6:43 to go. Against both Baylor, now the No. 3 team in the country, and Notre Dame, now ranked No. 4, the Orange lost 74-72.

“We’re a good enough team to step on the court against anyone, no matter what,” forward Brianna Butler said. “We’re tired of falling short against these top teams.”

Except for its 13-point loss to Michigan State, the Orange has come just a few stops and a few makes from upsetting its other Top 25 opponents. Hillsman, Fondren and Butler have talked throughout the season about the team’s inability to score and make key stops down the stretch.

Forward Taylor Ford mentioned playing too quickly down the stretch, especially against South Carolina. Against Louisville, Hillsman has preached how SU needs to answer all of the Cardinals’ scoring runs.

“I feel like we’re going to be able to get the win (against Louisville) because of everything we’ve been through earlier in the season,” Butler said. “Not being able to finish out, that’s going to help us. We’ve been on a winning streak and we’re finally getting it together.

“We need this win.”

Published on January 28, 2015 at 10:59 pm

Contact Josh: jmhyber@syr.edu