When: Saturday, April 6th, 8:49 PM
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Line: Michigan -2
Matchup: The two 4 seeds come in hot off of big wins as Michigan destroyed Florida in the Elite 8 and Syracuse held Marquette to 39 points as the Orange’s 2-3 zone continues to cause struggles for opposing teams. Michigan is 4-0 ATS in the tournament so far, while Syracuse is 3-1 ATS the past 4 games. Michigan likes to play fast break basketball and push the tempo, and shoot 3’s in transition, while Syracuse makes teams use the entire shot clock as they sit in their zone. Contrasting styles will lead to a great final four matchup.
Why Syracuse Covers: The Orange are playing great basketball at the right time, as they look to continue their tournament run with a spot in the National Championship game Monday. They are led by their stellar sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams who leads the 2-3 zone with his 6-6 frame and long wingspan. He averages 12.1 points per game and also averages 7.4 assists per game. Shooters C.J Fair and James Southerland can be deadly if left open from 3 point territory. Fair is the team’s leading scorer with 14.4 points per game and he shoots 50% from 3- point land, while Southerland averages 13.9 points per game and shoots 41.6% from downtown. If the Orange continue to play strong defense and hit their open shots look for them to not only cover the 2 point spread but win the game straight up.
Why Michigan Covers: Michigan is led by their stud point guard and National Player of the Year Trey Burke, he had the biggest shot in the tournament against Kansas which sent the game to overtime where the Wolverines came back and won. He averages 18.8 points per game and 6.8 assists per game and only 2.2 turnovers per game. The wolverines go as he go and look for him to have another big game as he seems to perform better on the national stage. Freshman Mitch McGary has been stellar this tournament and is a hard worker both on defense and on the glass. He can cause matchup issues in the middle of the zone and has the opportunity to get a lot of second chance points against Syracuse’s zone. He has really come on in the tournament and look for his run of good play to continue. The X-factor in this game will be freshman Nik Stauskas he is a shooter and can make Syracuse pay for playing zone. He went 6 for 6 from behind the 3 point line against Florida and he shoots 45% from beyond the arc and will have open looks on Saturday. With Burke penetrating the zone and kicking out to Stauskas for 3 point looks and McGary cleaning up the misses and long rebounds the Wolverines have a good shot of beating Syracuse and their zone defense.
Prediction: Michigan -2. Michigan has the perfect formula for beating Syracuse’s 2-3 zone which has given teams headaches all tournament long. Burke can penetrate the zone and feed McGary in the paint or find open shooters who can knock down open 3’s. Michigan likes to run and could easily beat Syracuse’s zone down the floor and have fast break points. Michigan will dictate the tempo and pace of the game and will be in control of the game. The Wolverines will easily cover the 2 point spread and play in the title game on Monday.
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