Get your scissors and your ladders ready, because Monday Night, one team will be cutting down the nets. Yes, March Madness is coming to a close this weekend, with the Final Four still left standing, for now. We’ve seen upsets, blowouts, stars shine, players fading away into obscurity and in general, an experience that always leaves it’s audience wanting more. Regardless of who you root for or whether your bracket is still a viable winner, March Madness is a one of a kind experience that wraps the nation up in excitement in the otherwise droll month of March. With four teams left, we here at InhaleSports are giving you an in depth look into the two Final Four games. Grab your popcorn because this is going to be a show.
#1 UNC -9.5 (East Region) Vs #10 Syracuse (MidWest Region)
This game is an ACC matchup between the last #1 seed left and the Cinderella of the tournament. The Tar Heels won both regular season meetings against the Cuse. They did not face each other during the ACC Tournament because Syracuse lost in the opening round to Pittsburgh, a team who would also be a #10 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Flat out, Syracuse should not be here, and if it was not for Malachi Richardson’s 21 second half points against Virginia, they would not be here. But the Orange’s freshman are providing an offensive spark to Jim Boehiem’s team.
Richardson and Tyler Lyndon provide building blocks for the future, but it seems as if the future is now. Combine that with veteran leadership from graduate students Trevor Cooney and Michael Gbinije, and Boehiem is in a position to add another National Championship Game to his resume.
In the way of the Orange are Roy Williams and the UNC Tar Heels. This marks the Heels 19th Final Four, the most of any D1 NCAA Basketball Program. Williams’ team is lead by senior leadership as well, with Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson leading the team. Johnson leads the team in scoring and rebounding, while Paige is playing the point expertly, leading the team in assists and third on the team in points. Johnson has been a monster in the NCAA Tournament, leading his team in points in all but one game. Besides Paige and Johnson, the Tar Heels have a mix of upperclassman and underclassmen who all can ball as well. Joel Barry II is second on the team in scoring as a sophomore and he, along with the play of Sophomore Justin Jackson and Juniors Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks, help provide the rest of the offense that is not generated by Johnson and Paige.
As for the game itself, watch for Boehiem to attempt to press UNC if the Orange fall behind early. Their athletes created mismatches with Virginia, and the press was vital towards getting the Orange back into the game. Carolina will continue to try and pound the boards with Johnson and Meeks in the paint. By dominating in the paint, the offense is allowed to open up, leaving people like Paige and Barry II open to drain threes.
If Syracuse wants to win this game, they will need fantastic performances from Richardson, Gbnijie, Lyndon and Cooney. They will need to score, often, as UNC averages 83 points per game. They will need to defend the paint from Carolina’s bigs, something that will create a mismatch, as Syracuse has only one player over 6’9 while UNC has three.
For UNC to win, they just need to continue doing what they have been doing all season. Rely on your seniors and playmakers to create momentum and allow your bigs to dominate the paint.
Prediction: 72-61 UNC
