The Arizona Wildcats held off Utah Sunday night to remain undefeated. The victory also means 'Zona will be No. 1 when the polls come out, a topic that sparked a bit of debate on Twitter Sunday that included ESPN's Jeff Goodman.
When the new college basketball polls release Monday the Syracuse Orange will see themselves in a familiar position -- ranked No. 2 behind the greatest team in all the land, the Arizona Wildcats.
On Sunday, the Wildcats (20-0, 7-0 Pac-12) squeaked by the Utah Utes, 65-56, at the McKale Center in Tucson. The victory not only helped keep Arizona unbeaten, but it showcased a lot of reasons why these guys could be the team to beat come March.
It also sparked a Twitter war between Syracuse hoops fans and ESPN's Jeff Goodman after the insider tweeted this:
Arizona is the best team in country, but I would still be surprised if they sweep Stanford and Cal next week on Bay Area trip.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) January 27, 2014
Now, I do not know what some of you said back to Mr. Goodman, but whatever it was it rubbed him the wrong way and from here on out he couldn't let the topic go.
For those Syracuse fans saying Orange more deserving of top spot, resumes aren't even close. Arizona clear-cut No. 1 right now.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) January 27, 2014
Arizona's top 3 wins tough to match: at San Diego St, at Michigan and Duke on a neutral court.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) January 27, 2014
What is Cuse best road win? @mjcacs1: @GoodmanESPN No problem with Zona at #1 but to say resumes are not close is quite an overstatement.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) January 27, 2014
Arizona has three road wins that are more impressive than any Syracuse road victory.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) January 27, 2014
I like Syracuse a lot, but no reasonable explanation why the 'Cuse should be No. 1 right now.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) January 27, 2014
All-in-all, lets just set the record straight: Arizona deserves to be ranked No. 1 ahead of Syracuse. It is as simple as that. Also, if you're such a troll you want to debate whether or not the Orange deserves to be ranked No. 1 -- ONE spot higher on a seemingly meaningless poll (especially in late January) -- it is a free country, troll away.
But remember this, it really doesn't matter! Were the Orange ranked No. 1 last season heading into March? No. Did a No. 1 ranking help the Orange got to the Final Four the past few seasons. No. Come March it is about how well you're playing, what sorta of match-ups you get in the bracket and a little bit of luck here and there.
Syracuse has a very good team. A team that will be talked about as one of the best for the rest of the regular season and into the postseason. Enjoy that. Stop trying to force something that isn't going to be cool, it is a bad look for all of us. And for god sake, leave Jeff Goodman alone! He doesn't have time for this, he is too busy breaking stories (a few days after it was already reported).
Been told Syracuse big man Dajuan Coleman will have his knee surgery on Tuesday. Season-ending.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) January 23, 2014
