The Syracuse Orange has arrived in what we have thought they’d be before the season. A team that can explode offensively behind the firepower of Andrew White, John Gillon and Tyler Lydon. One that can lock down on you defensively with the prowess of Tyler Roberson and Lydon (again). And one that can run up and down the court with the best of them thanks to Gillon, one of the fastest ball handers you will see.

The past two games, the Orange has become what everyone imagined they’d become. And yes, Jim Boeheim will say after the games that the team still isn’t where it needs to be, and that’s because he’s a coach.

But what we’ve seen over the last two games has been incredible. Even if not wholly unexpected before the season, it was after the losses to St. John’s and Boston College. Because in these last two games, the Orange looks like a completely different team than the one that hit the floor against the Red Storm and the Eagles. A different team that the one that allowed 77 points to a down Georgetown team.

John Gillon has been great since entering the starting lineup, dishing out 11 assists in each of the last two games as the starting point guard. Against Pitt he even added 20 points for good measure.

Andrew White has been as advertised as a scorer all season, consistently pacing the Orange. But the past few games, he has upped the defensive effort and rebounding ability, which has made him a more complete player.

Following an exile to the bench, Tyler Roberson has come alive and played his best consecutive games since the NCAA Tournament last year. Saturday against Pitt he was a monster, blocking shots and crashing the glass.

Tyus Battle, who many, including myself, would be a great scorer off the bench for this team has become a great scorer in the starting lineup. Adding 15 points against Pittsburgh to go along with some relentless defense at the top of the zone.

And Tyler Lydon. the leader of the group. He scored just 13 points. But added a few blocks and 5 rebounds. He’s now scored in double figures each of the last 8 games, averaging 17.1 points per game in that stretch.

This team is coming together at a time when it needs to most— as ACC play begins.

Every game now is “must win” but also a challenge, and games like Saturday against Pittsburgh are games the Orange needs to win, against unranked teams at home. Because the ACC will be so difficult, these home games become more and more important in the Orange’s climb back to becoming an NCAA Tournament team.

And lucky for the Orange, the team is starting to come together as expected as we head into the toughest games.