BUFFALO — Every edge counts. Every advantage can be the difference between winning and losing. Every resource needs to be tapped.
There are 16 teams left playing in the NCAA Tournament and each has obvious strengths and weaknesses. But often it is the behind the scenes conversations and chemistry that separate the teams that advance from the ones whose season ends.
So when Syracuse, the No. 1 seed in the West Region, heads to Salt Lake City for Thursday’s game against a dangerous Butler squad, the Orange might draw strength from one more source — assistant coach Gerry McNamara.
“The thing about Gerry is that he’s not that much older than us and he’s been through it,” guard Andy Rautins told The Post before the Orange dismantled Gonzaga in their second-round game.
“Whenever you know the guy you’re talking to has been where you’ve been and accomplished the things you want to accomplish you listen,” said Rautins. “It would be silly not to.”
McNamara will live forever in Syracuse lore. His 6-of-10 shooting from behind the arc for 18 points along with super frosh Carmelo Anthony’s 20-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist performance led the Orange to an 81-78 upset of Kansas in the 2003 NCAA title game.
“I can’t help but see the similarities in the way they carry themselves and the way they’ve gotten along with each other and how they’ve worked,” McNamara told The Post when asked to compare this team with the national title squad.
“You know back in 2003 we were receptive to learn,” added McNamara. “We were a group that wanted to get better. And this group is the same type of group where they’ve tried to improve all year.”
The Orange didn’t even qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2002, yet after losing their 2003 opener to Memphis, they reeled off 11 straight to gain national attention.
The Orange were a no-show in most 2009-10 preseason Top 25 polls after losing Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris. After losing to LeMoyne in an exhibition game, Syracuse reeled off 13 straight and eventually rose to the No. 1 overall ranking.
“Expectations were down in both years coming into the season,” acknowledged McNamara. “This year more than the year that I came in just because of the scoring that they lost in the three guys.
“I see some similarities, both coming into the season not very highly ranked and kind of having to prove yourself every night and trying your best to win the game,” added McNamara. “And in the process you become a pretty good team.”
The Orange (30-4) were as impressive as any team in the field in the first two rounds. There’s no doubt the advantage of playing before a pro-Syracuse crowd in Buffalo helped offset the loss of center Arinze Onuaku (quad), who is doubtful for Thursday.
“I’ve never worried about that kind of stuff,” said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. “It’s just like when a guy fouls out. You play with what you’ve got.”