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March Madness 2019: Syracuse, Maryland and Iowa State among Final Four sleepers

By Jason Kinander

Photo by Lance King/Getty Images
Photo by Lance King/Getty Images /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 26: Oshae Brissett #11 of the Syracuse Orange rebounds against Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 26, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 26: Oshae Brissett #11 of the Syracuse Orange rebounds against Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 26, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Syracuse Orange

Syracuse always seems to struggle during the regular season, but somehow sneak into the tournament as a lower seed.

In the 2016 Tournament, the ten seed Orange made an improbable run to the Final Four. This year, they have that same type of magic in the vault.

Why they can make it to the Final Four

Experience is one of the most important qualities to have in the tournament, and Syracuse doesn’t lack it.

Whether it be in Hall-Of-Fame Coach Jim Boeheim, who has coached in multiple final fours, or in junior guard Tyus Battle, Syracuse has the experience necessary to make a deep run.

When Syracuse made its last Final Four in 2016, they were led by several seniors with tournament experience. While Syracuse is a bit younger, the experience from last year’s Sweet Sixteen run as an eleven seed will prove very valuable in the tournament.

Sleeper Player to Watch

Oshae Brissett hasn’t made the type of unexpected impact that he provided last season, but he still has the ability to come through big in two weeks.

Brissett, a sophomore forward, is averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Brissett’s ability to score in the post, as well as his above-average jump shot create a deadly combo for opposing defenders.

Brissett, as Syracuse’s third scoring option, will be overlooked by opposing teams. However, his scoring skill is not represented in his stats, and Brissett will surely come through if he is slighted on the defensive end.

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