Busting Brackets
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2017 NIT: Syracuse favored to win championship?

By Daniel Benjamin

Jan 4, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) reverses his dribble as Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11), center Ebuka Izundu (15) and guard Davon Reed (5) defend during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) reverses his dribble as Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11), center Ebuka Izundu (15) and guard Davon Reed (5) defend during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Kamari Murphy (21) and Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Roberson (21) fight for a loose ball during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Kamari Murphy (21) and Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Roberson (21) fight for a loose ball during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Syracuse Region

  1. Syracuse Orange (18-14): The Orange have lost five of seven. The Orange haven’t been as good as usual on the defensive end, allowing 70.4 points a game (129th). Andrew White, Tyler Lydon, Tyus Battle and John Gillon are all averaging double-figures and are shooting over 38 percent from beyond the arc. White leads the way with 18.0 points a game as he makes three triples a contest. SU is making its 13th appearance in the NIT.
  2. Georgia Bulldogs (19-14): The Bulldogs finished ninth in the SEC with a 9-9 record. The Bulldogs have won four of six. J.J. Frazier and Yante Maten form a great outside-inside duo as both are averaging over 18 points a game. Georgia is making its 14th NIT appearance.
  3. Indiana Hoosiers (18-15): The Hoosiers started the season out strong, winning 10 of their first 12. But IU went just 7-11 in Big Ten play to finish tied for 10th in the conference. It hurt that forward OG Anunoby was lost for the season with an injury after 16 games. James Blackmon Jr. and Thomas Bryant are very talented, though. IU is making its fifth appearance in the NIT.
  4. Monmouth Hawks (27-6): The Hawks have won 55 games the last two years but they were eliminated in the MAAC Tournament in the semifinals by Iona. Justin Robinson leads a fast-paced offense that can put points on the board in a hurry. Monmouth, which is making its second NIT appearance, is averaging over 81 points a game.
  5. Ole Miss Rebels (20-13): The Rebels have won 8 of 12. DeAndre Burnett, Terence Davis, and Sebastian Saiz are all averaging over 14 points a game. Saiz, a 6-9 forward from Spain, has produced 19 double-doubles and 22 double-figure rebound games. Defense is an issue for the Rebels, who have surrendered 70 points in seven straight games. Ole Miss is making its 12th NIT appearance.
  6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (17-15): The Yellow Jackets were considered a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament before losing five of seven to close the season. Freshman guard Josh Okogie and junior center Ben Lammers are a very good 1-2 scoring combo. The Yellow Jackets are making their ninth NIT appearance.
  7.  Belmont Bruins (22-8): The Bruins have been one of the best teams in the OVC for years, but they have been upset in semis of the conference tournament in each of the last two seasons. Senior forward Evans Bradds leads the way with over 20 points and eight rebounds. Belmont is making its fourth NIT appearance.
  8. UNC Greensboro Spartans (25-9): The Spartans tied East Tennessee State and Furman for the Southern Conference regular season crown. The Spartans, who have won 9 of 10, lost to East Tennessee in the SoCon championship game. Sophomore guard Francis Alonso has scored in double-figures in seven straight games and is averaging over 15 points a game. UNC Greensboro is making its second NIT appearance.

Most intriguing first round matchup: UNC Greensboro at Syracuse. SU coach Jim Boeheim made some disparaging remarks about the city of Greensboro after the Orange lost in first round of ACC Tournament.

First round picks: Syracuse, Georgia, Monmouth and Georgia Tech advance to second round.

Second round selections: Syracuse over Monmouth. Georgia over Georgia Tech.

Third round: Syracuse defeats Georgia.

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