In this game we have a battle of strengths, the classic offense vs defense matchup when Michigan takes on Syracuse. This is the first time two 4-seeds meet in the Final Four and it could be a memorable one. Michigan is averaging 79 points a game and Syracuse is holding opponents to just under 46 a game. Can Michigan score on the Orange stingy D? Will Syracuse be able to keep pace with the Wolverines? John Beilein and Jim Boeheim have history from when Beilein was coaching West Virgina in the Big East. Boeheim holds a 9-0 record.
How They Got Here
Michigan - South Dakota State 71-56, VCU 78-53, Kansas 87-85 OT, Florida 79-59.
Against VCU and Florida they played two of their best games of the season as they got contributions from the entire team on both ends of the court. The Kansas game was a whole other story. Mitch McGary was solid throughout but Trey Burke carried the team late. We all remember this, right?
Syracuse - Montana 81-34, California 66-60, Indiana 61-50, Marquette 55-39.
All four teams left in the bracket have pretty much dominated every opponent they've faced and that's no different for Syracuse. Their defense has been tremendous, holding Montana, Indiana and Marquette to season low's in scoring. Their zone defense has been ran to perfection so far.
Player To Watch
Mitch McGary has vastly improved his play in the tournament but Glenn Robinson III has been the x-factor for Michigan all year. Robinson will be more important than any other game as he is one of the main keys to causing havoc for the Syracuse 2-3. He will be looked upon to get in the middle of the zone and hit mid range jumpers. Also, step outside to knock in a few corner triples to stretch the defense. But Michigan will need him to hit the boards hard. Robinson will have to use his speed and athleticism against the bigger Syracuse front line to keep possessions alive if his teammates aren't making outside shots.
Key Matchup
Trey Burke vs Michael Carter-Williams. Burke is racking up all kinds of awards this year, while Carter-Williams has gone somewhat under the radar to have a stellar sophomore season of his own. Here are the two by the numbers...
PPG RPG APG SPG TO FG% 3P%
Burke - 18.8 3.1 6.8 1.6 2.2 46.4 38.1
MCW - 12.1 4.9 7.4 2.8 3.4 39.7 29.7
As you can see Burke has the advantage in all the shooting categories and turnovers while MCW takes rebounds, assists and steals. Since Syracuse plays zone MCW won't have to guard Burke one-on-one but his length on the top of that 2-3 has been big all year. He almost takes three steals a game because of his 6'6 frame with an even longer wingspan. Burke is going to have to find creases to penetrate and clear passing lanes against the size of MCW. Also, it provides somewhat of a mismatch on the other end as Carter-Williams has a six inch height advantage over Burke. Don't be surprise to Burke matched up with the smaller Brandon Triche while Tim Hardaway Jr checks MCW.
Prediction
This game is definitely tough to call, it's basically which teams strength will prove stronger. I believe Michigan, with their outside shooting, is going to be the one to escape with the win. In the Elite 8 Nik Stauskas finally found his stroke again, hitting on all six of his 3-point attempts. Along with Burke and Hardaway, this team has multiple outside threats. Let's not forget about Michigan's defense in the tournament either. Aside from the Kansas game, the Wolverines have been stingy as well, keeping their other three opponents under 60 points a game. I don't think this will be a shootout by any means but Michigan has the better offense. And in a game when buckets will be tough to come by, I have to go with the team that can put up points.
Game: Michigan
Bet: Michigan -1.5
Showing posts with label Final Four. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Final Four. Show all posts
Friday, April 5, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
What To Watch: Louisville Cardinals vs Wichita State Shockers
The first game in the Final Four is a matchup between a team most picked to win a championship against a team some picked to lose in the first round. Louisville, the #1 overall seed, is here by no surprise as they are the only team left to win their conference tournament and have rode that momentum in the Big Dance. The also have a little extra motivation after the terrible injury suffered by backup point guard Kevin Ware against Duke. The Cardinals will sport "Win It For Kevin" t-shirts during warmups. The Wichita State Shockers on the other hand are this years Cinderella, becoming the 5th team seeded 9th or lower to reach the Final Four. However, none of those previous teams made it to the championship game. If the Shockers hope to do that they will have to slow down a team nobody has been able to in the Cardinals last 14 games.
How They Got Here
Louisville - North Carolina A&T 79-48, Colorado State 82-56, Oregon 77-69, Duke 85-63.
The Cardinals have ran through every opponent they've faced and have lived up to their #1 overall seed. The nine point win over Oregon was the slimmest margin but it was not that close.
Wichita State - Pittsburgh 73-55, Gonzaga 76-70, LaSalle 72-58, Ohio State 70-66.
The Shockers upset the #1 and #2 seeds in their region to reach the Final Four but even won those games in impressive fashion. They led the entire first half against 1-seed Gonzaga before needing to comeback from seven down with less than six minutes to play. Against Ohio State they led for all but 42 seconds when OSU was up 9-7 early.
Player To Watch
Russ Smith is the hottest player in the tournament averaging 26 a game on 54% shooting and scoring in ever way. In transition, jumpers, 3s, and from the line. Smith is a catalyst on defense as well with over two steals a game and a season high eight against UNC A&T in the round of 64. Basically, Smith is the barometer for how Louisville will play as he's their leader on both ends of the court.
Key Matchup
Malcolm Armstead held his own going up against Aaron Craft, the best on-ball defender in the country, only turning the ball over three times. Armstead now gets to face even more pressure from the Louisville press, spear headed by Smith and Peyton Siva, that has forced over 60 turnovers in four games. Being able to get the Shockers into their offense is going to be key to them staying in the game. Cleanthony Early and Carl Hall will only be able to do damage if Armstead can get them the ball. He's made a name for himself in the tournament as a solid PG but if he has trouble getting passed half court it's going to be a long night for the senior.
Prediction
Louisville was already going to be a tough out for any team in the tournament but now are on a mission playing for Kevin Ware. They are playing the best basketball of anybody left and want to bring a championship to their fallen teammate. Wichita State has made a great run but I don't think they can handle what Smith and Siva will bring in terms of pressure and Gorgui Dieng will negate anything Early tries to do inside. The Cardinals defense has been suffocating teams and Wichita State has seen nothing like them. They will treat Cinderella poorly and send her home from the tournament.
Game: Louisville
Bet: Louisville -9.5
How They Got Here
Louisville - North Carolina A&T 79-48, Colorado State 82-56, Oregon 77-69, Duke 85-63.
The Cardinals have ran through every opponent they've faced and have lived up to their #1 overall seed. The nine point win over Oregon was the slimmest margin but it was not that close.
Wichita State - Pittsburgh 73-55, Gonzaga 76-70, LaSalle 72-58, Ohio State 70-66.
The Shockers upset the #1 and #2 seeds in their region to reach the Final Four but even won those games in impressive fashion. They led the entire first half against 1-seed Gonzaga before needing to comeback from seven down with less than six minutes to play. Against Ohio State they led for all but 42 seconds when OSU was up 9-7 early.
Player To Watch
Russ Smith is the hottest player in the tournament averaging 26 a game on 54% shooting and scoring in ever way. In transition, jumpers, 3s, and from the line. Smith is a catalyst on defense as well with over two steals a game and a season high eight against UNC A&T in the round of 64. Basically, Smith is the barometer for how Louisville will play as he's their leader on both ends of the court.
Key Matchup
Malcolm Armstead held his own going up against Aaron Craft, the best on-ball defender in the country, only turning the ball over three times. Armstead now gets to face even more pressure from the Louisville press, spear headed by Smith and Peyton Siva, that has forced over 60 turnovers in four games. Being able to get the Shockers into their offense is going to be key to them staying in the game. Cleanthony Early and Carl Hall will only be able to do damage if Armstead can get them the ball. He's made a name for himself in the tournament as a solid PG but if he has trouble getting passed half court it's going to be a long night for the senior.
Prediction
Louisville was already going to be a tough out for any team in the tournament but now are on a mission playing for Kevin Ware. They are playing the best basketball of anybody left and want to bring a championship to their fallen teammate. Wichita State has made a great run but I don't think they can handle what Smith and Siva will bring in terms of pressure and Gorgui Dieng will negate anything Early tries to do inside. The Cardinals defense has been suffocating teams and Wichita State has seen nothing like them. They will treat Cinderella poorly and send her home from the tournament.
Game: Louisville
Bet: Louisville -9.5
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