According to Plan
By Caleb Musselman
By Caleb Musselman
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| photo cred: www.heraldtimesonline.com |
East Match-ups:
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| photo cred: www.examiner.com |
This game is a very interesting matchup. Coach Buzz Williams has a funny way of finding his way into the Sweet 16 nearly every year. In fact, in both 2011 and 2012, Coach Lightyear has overcome adversity and reached the Sweet 16 (AND BEYOND, well not quite). Pardon my childish sense of humor. You've got a friend in me.
2013 has brought with it many trials for the Golden Eagles of Marquette, but yet again, they have found a way to reach the teenage girl's Sweet 16 paja
ma party. Barely squeaking past Davidson in the Second Round, Marquette heavily relied on Vander Blue this past Saturday to beat a solid Butler squad. In a game that featured 17 lead changes, Blue scored 29 points and was a rock in the final minutes. On the other side of the ball, Miami held tough with a upset-minded Illinois squad and pulled through with a 4 point victory. There have been no easy wins for the Big 4 in the East.
What to expect: First, expect a game that goes down to the wire. Reggie Johnson, Miami's center is out with an injury. If he played, I think Miami would be a 10 point favorite. With him out of the lineup, Miami will be forced to play a bit of a different defensive style. With Johnson in the lineup, the Hurricanes play a beat you up inside game. Without Johnson, Kenny Kadji and Julian Gamble must be extremely careful not to get into foul trouble. Thankfully for the Canes, Marquette's front court is not their strong suit. They rely much more on positions 1-3 to give them success. Even so, Marquette's bigs will be fed more often than usual.
Second, expect Larkin to go OFF. Shane Larkin is arguably the best point guard in the nation. Further, he's been waiting for his chance to shine in the limelight. Here you go Shane. Expect him to drop 25 and tantalize the Golden Eagles on both ends of the court. Miami leads throughout by single digits, Marquette makes a late run and Miami answers with a run of their own. Miami wins by 6.
Thursday 9:45pm - Syracuse (#4) vs. Indiana (#1)
There are 4 games in the Sweet 16 that have a little more sugar than the rest. Duke/Michigan St, Kansas/Michigan, Florida/FGSU (Dunk City) and Indiana/Syracuse. Indiana, with 5 National Championships, is arguably the most storied program in NCAA tourney history. In recent years, however, the Hoosiers have been in a bit of a coma. They lost in the National Championship in 2002, and haven't won it since 1987. Ironically, who did they beat that year for the title? Syracuse. These two teams haven't met in the tournament since.
Syracuse, with an overall tournament record of 56-35, has been a consistent tournament staple since Boeheim took over. With only one title to their name (2003 - Melo. Warrick. Enough said.), the Orange are desperate to get back to the Elite 8.
What to expect: First, expect Southerland to be blanketed. Last round Cal did a fantastic job of denying Southerland's outside game. Only going 2-5 from beyond the arc, he struggled to find open looks throughout the game. Indiana's first defensive goal is to minimize his impact. If he only gets off 5 threes, Syracuse won't have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Hoosiers. Second, expect Syracuse to struggle with Zeller. Cuse's 2-3 zone works wonders against smaller teams. However, with Indiana's pristine ball movement and half court execution, Zeller is going to find plenty of opportunities to inflict his wrath. Third, expect C.J. Fair to continue his 2013 dominance. C.J. Fair is Syracuse's best player. However, Indiana has the best on the ball defender in the nation in Victor Oladipo. Whether Oladipo matches up with Southerland or Fair, he is going to be giving up a bit of size. No matter who is guarding Fair, he's going to perform. Expect 20 from Fair without a doubt.
The key for Indiana is Oladipo. Against Temple, Victor forgot to show up until the last 10 minutes of the game. When he did Indiana proved to be too much for the Owls. Against Syracuse, if Oladipo waits til the final minutes to perform offensively, it will be too late. For Indiana to win, Oladipo must force his will upon the Syracuse zone, attack the basket, and get out in transition. If he does, Indiana has the upper hand.
The key for Syracuse is Triche. An absolute stud in his first two years at Syracuse, Triche seems to have leveled out in his senior year. Against Cal, Triche shot 1-8 from the field and his only make was a wide open trey. Triche is going to be guarded either by Hulls or Ferrell. Both players are small and crafty. Triche will have the ability to beat them to the basket because of his superior size and strength. If Triche takes the stage like we all know he can, he will be the X factor for the Orange. If he goes for 15, Syracuse has a slight advantage.
Prediction: Syracuse is a very good team that is close to being elite. However, their lack of a legitimate standout big man will be there downfall. Zeller goes crazy, Oladipo exploits the 2-3 zone and the Orange can't keep up offensively. An absolute dog fight throughout, Indiana wins by single digits.
The Orange rolls home and the Hoosiers are Elite.
ma party. Barely squeaking past Davidson in the Second Round, Marquette heavily relied on Vander Blue this past Saturday to beat a solid Butler squad. In a game that featured 17 lead changes, Blue scored 29 points and was a rock in the final minutes. On the other side of the ball, Miami held tough with a upset-minded Illinois squad and pulled through with a 4 point victory. There have been no easy wins for the Big 4 in the East.
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| photo cred: collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com |
Second, expect Larkin to go OFF. Shane Larkin is arguably the best point guard in the nation. Further, he's been waiting for his chance to shine in the limelight. Here you go Shane. Expect him to drop 25 and tantalize the Golden Eagles on both ends of the court. Miami leads throughout by single digits, Marquette makes a late run and Miami answers with a run of their own. Miami wins by 6.
Thursday 9:45pm - Syracuse (#4) vs. Indiana (#1)
There are 4 games in the Sweet 16 that have a little more sugar than the rest. Duke/Michigan St, Kansas/Michigan, Florida/FGSU (Dunk City) and Indiana/Syracuse. Indiana, with 5 National Championships, is arguably the most storied program in NCAA tourney history. In recent years, however, the Hoosiers have been in a bit of a coma. They lost in the National Championship in 2002, and haven't won it since 1987. Ironically, who did they beat that year for the title? Syracuse. These two teams haven't met in the tournament since.
Syracuse, with an overall tournament record of 56-35, has been a consistent tournament staple since Boeheim took over. With only one title to their name (2003 - Melo. Warrick. Enough said.), the Orange are desperate to get back to the Elite 8.
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| photo cred: www.news.yahoo.com |
The key for Indiana is Oladipo. Against Temple, Victor forgot to show up until the last 10 minutes of the game. When he did Indiana proved to be too much for the Owls. Against Syracuse, if Oladipo waits til the final minutes to perform offensively, it will be too late. For Indiana to win, Oladipo must force his will upon the Syracuse zone, attack the basket, and get out in transition. If he does, Indiana has the upper hand.
The key for Syracuse is Triche. An absolute stud in his first two years at Syracuse, Triche seems to have leveled out in his senior year. Against Cal, Triche shot 1-8 from the field and his only make was a wide open trey. Triche is going to be guarded either by Hulls or Ferrell. Both players are small and crafty. Triche will have the ability to beat them to the basket because of his superior size and strength. If Triche takes the stage like we all know he can, he will be the X factor for the Orange. If he goes for 15, Syracuse has a slight advantage.
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| photo cred: www.espn.go.com |
Prediction: Syracuse is a very good team that is close to being elite. However, their lack of a legitimate standout big man will be there downfall. Zeller goes crazy, Oladipo exploits the 2-3 zone and the Orange can't keep up offensively. An absolute dog fight throughout, Indiana wins by single digits.
The Orange rolls home and the Hoosiers are Elite.
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