Two weeks ago, Syracuse was dead in the water. The season felt over when the Orange couldn’t win on the road, and looked lackluster in South Bend against Notre Dame.

The Orange looked helpless.

Then a close win against Wake Forest, and things felt like maybe they’d start to turn. The outlook became brighter after a win against top ten Florida State, but it was clear there was still work to be done. Another trip on the road finally led to SU breaking through and winning away from the Dome, beating NC State. Another top ten win over UVA. Another road win against Clemson.

All of a sudden the Orange is back from the dead, winners of 5 straight and in position— right now— for a double bye in the ACC Tournament.

The Clemson game is an example of something the Orange hadn’t done all year, but needs to do more down the stretch. SU won a game it shouldn’t have, the team didn’t quit when it didn’t have its best, and pulled out a win.

Realistically, the Orange shouldn’t have won that game. SU didn’t play well for the large majority of the game. The defense was still porous. The offense wasn’t clicking consistently. There was a lot that didn’t go Syracuse’s way Tuesday night, and the Orange still managed to pull out a win.

But in the end, Tyler Lydon made a phenomenal play to break down the defense like a point guard 10 years into an NBA career, rather than a college sophomore big man. Drove the lane, kicked to Tyus Battle and Battle sunk the corner three. Launching the Orange to a 5th straight win.

Andrew White was once again fantastic, scoring 23 points at Clemson, and now averaging 25 points per game over the 5 game winning streak. The 5th year grad transfer has come into his own, and developed on both ends of the court to become the more complete player Syracuse fans thought they were getting when he announced he’d come to SU in August.

John Gillon has put together three very good games out of his last four. Another 5th year grad transfer that wasn’t playing up to the level that was expected of him at the start of the season. He’s come on strong lately, averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 assists per game in the five game winning streak. Yes, the points average is inflated due to a 43 point performance against NC State and his 21 against Florida State, but if he can consistently average 9 and 7, the Orange will gladly take it.

Along with Tyler Lydon, the play of White and Gillon is the reason this team has turned. Getting more consistent play from them is the key to success. Add in solid performances from Tyus Battle, and a good game here and there from Taurean Thompson or Tyler Roberson, and the Orange has built itself a solid team.