Thursday, March 21, 2013

Bracket Breakdown: Syracuse's Chances

You're never as good as you think you are when things or going good, or as bad as you seem when things start to go bad. That's the story of Syracuse's season in 2012-13. They weren't as good as people thought when they started 18-1 and ascended to #3 in the country. Because they beefed up on a fairly easy schedule.
But they are better than they seemed when they limped to a 4-5 finish. But please remember those 5 losses came in 5 games against top 15 teams, Georgetown twice, Marquette, and Louisville twice.
So which team will show up in the NCAA Tournament? It really depends on James Southerland. When he is making shots as he did in the Big East Tournament, it changes everything. Teams must stick a man on him at all times, creating driving lanes for Carter-Williams and Triche. When he is missing shots, or not in the game (the second half against Louisville), Syracuse is much easier to defend.
While part of me is worried about the first round match-up against Montana, I know Syracuse should win the game. But we have seen SU get upset many times, most notably, by Vermont in 2005 and Richmond in 1991.
The second round against UNLV (assuming the beat Cal) will be a much tougher game. Anthony Bennett is a great player, only a freshman, but probably a one-and-done guy whole will go in the first round of the NBA Draft.
If SU sneaks by UNLV, I just don't see any way they are going to contain Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller with the 2-3 zone.
Of course every year you hope for the National Championship, and would be satisfied with a Final Four. But this year I would just like to see SU make the Sweet 16, and maybe pull off the biggest tournament upset in Jim Boeheim's career by knocking off Indiana.

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