(4) Syracuse Orange vs (4) Michigan Wolverines
Time: 8:49 PM (ET) | Saturday
Network: CBS
Here, we have a match-up of the four seeds with the Michigan Wolverines and the Syracuse Orange, which the two won the South and East regions respectively. Coincidentally, both teams defeated the number 3 seeded teams from their region in the elite 8 to advance to the final four. It’s been exactly 20 years since the last appearance of the Men’s Wolverines team in the final four with the infamous Chris Webber timeout which would ultimately cost the Fab-5 the tournament game.
If there was any chance at redemption for the events that transpired, would be the Wolverines winning the National Championship. Led by all-American guard, Trey Burke who’s essentially became the breakout star of the tournament, Michigan has been the most overlooked team of the entire tournament and were a dark house to win it all before the madness of March started. Along with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mitch McGary, their perimeter shooting will have to be consistent enough to top the Syracuse 2-3 zone defense which is the best in the country.
The backcourt defense tandem of Michael Carter-Williams and Brandon Triche will the toughest task any star player like Trey Burke will have to overcome if they want to win this tournament. Syracuse runs their offense primarily through Carter-Williams (who will be guarded by Burke) so it’s important for them to be effective in their zone on the defensive ends. The “smart” pick is to bet on the Orange for a big east title rematch against Louisville in National Championship game on Monday which will most likely be a blowout (again); which is why I can’t see the Wolverines losing this game who have the biggest star in the player along with two solid role players who’ll be future NBA ready players next year.