SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Defying the odds was the mantra on Selection Sunday when the Orange received an at-large bid for the 2018 NCAA tournament.

"I think it was one or two percent of our fans that thought we were going to get in," said coach Jim Boeheim.

"Man, I was so excited. Honestly, going into it, I wasn't really sure, it could have gone either way. When they announced our name I was so excited. Our team worked so hard to get an opportunity to have a chance to do this," said player Tyus Battle.

The excitement extended far beyond the locker room. 

"It's a special day for the orange. I'm smelling oranges today. Florida orange juice feels really good right now. Syracuse is going all the way. Let's go," said fan Sherman Kearse.

Down at the Blarney Stone, life-time Orange-lover Kearse was celebrating. 

With all the excitement in the air 'Cuse is ready to give it all they have and Kearse will be rooting them on through every game. 

In the First Four, Syracuse Men's Basketball will face Arizona State on Wednesday at 9:10 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio.