NCAA Tournament: Breaking Down The Elite Eight
By Nathan Giese
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Syracuse Orange
Midwest Region: No. 1 Seed vs. No. 10 Seed
Synopsis: Virginia’s offensive improvement from last season has given the Cavaliers a new look. Not only can their defense disrupt everything their opponent does, they’re also capable of outscoring them, making them the double threat that kept them from further NCAA Tournament glory in the last few years.
Virginia held Butler and Iowa State, two of the nation’s top 25 highest scoring teams, to 140 total points: Butler to 69, 10 below their season average and Iowa State to 71, 11 below their season average.
Well…here’s Syracuse. Nobody’s really sure how, but Jim Boeheim has this team, the one that shouldn’t have been in the tournament field at all, one game away from the Final Four. At this rate, it doesn’t matter if they should’ve been in these games or not; they’re making the most of it.
That 2-3 zone that’s so stifling has actually been pretty stifling, holding opponents to 37 percent shooting combined overall, though that numbers are a bit deflated thanks to Middle Tennessee State’s 19-of-64 performance in the second round. They’ve won in both blowout and close fashion.
What’s At Stake: The Cavaliers last made the Final Four in 1981 while the Orange made it back in 2013.
X-Factors: Malcolm Brogdon has been fantastic throughout his entire career and he’s really kicked things up a notch in terms of offensive productions this year, but with Syracuse’s zone, there’s potential he has quiet day, making Anthony Gill’s involvement that much more important.
Gill has totaled 61 points and 23 rebounds over Virginia’s three games, being physical in the post and opening up the lane for his teammates. His presence inside has been instrumental to Virginia’s run through the tournament and will be important to combat the zone defense.
One thing Syracuse has shown in their first three games is the willingness to share the ball, getting everybody involved. After all, all hands on deck in this setting. For the Orange to be successful against the Cavaliers, they’ll need Trevor Cooney to make shots, especially from three.
In their first and only meeting against Virginia, Cooney went just 3-of-13 from the field and 2-of-8 from three for eight points in what turned out to be a six-point loss. Syracuse can’t afford another off shooting night from Cooney. They’ve come this far and to be bounced in the tournament because their senior leader couldn’t find his range would hurt.
What They’ll Have To Do & Key Stat: It’s actually quite simple for Virginia: just keep doing what you’re doing. When they’re at this level of offensive flow and defensive intensity, there’s nothing Syracuse will be able to do to win this game. Sorry, but that’s the reality of it. Getting to this point is a great accomplishment for the Orange, but if the Cavaliers continue this level of play, there’s maybe two teams that stand a chance to beat them.
That said, there’s always that chance things go Syracuse’s way. For that to happen, the Orange will have to take Virginia out of that game that’s so difficult to stop. It starts with limiting second chance opportunities and limiting their inside touches, something Iowa State did not exactly do well (52 points in the paint against the Cyclones).
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Actually, eliminating points in the paint should be Syracuse’s biggest focus, something that definitely becomes easier in a zone. Virginia has totaled 120 points in the paint over three games, an average of 40 per game. Slow that down and the Orange can hold off the Cavaliers much easier.