NCAA Tournament: 2019 Final Four favorites from each seed line (8-1)
By Chris Kern
Eight Seed: Syracuse
The Syracuse Orange are always tough to beat in the NCAA Tournament. They generally have good guard play on the offensive end and on defense, their 2-3 zone is very difficult to prepare for on a quick turnaround. When you aren’t used to facing a zone defense like that, it is very hard to run your offense as it takes a completely different gameplan than most teams are accustomed too.
They have had recent success in the NCAA Tournament in the years they have made it there. In their last eight appearances, they have a 20-8 record despite being a one seed twice and also being a double-digit seed twice.
In their two most recent NCAA Tournament appearances in 2016, and 2018, they were a 10 and 11 seed respectively. In 2016 they made the Final Four after upsetting top-seeded Virginia in the Elite Eight.
Syracuse returns a lot from last seasons Sweet 16 team and they will look to advance even further this time around. They have the talent to use their experience and make a Final Four caliber run. Tyus Battle is their offensive leader and his ability to hit tough shots is something that should worry their opponents.
The addition to Elijah Hughes to this year’s team has been huge and makes them more balanced. Last season the offense ran through their man three guys with Battle leading the way, to go along with Oshae Brissett and Frank Howard. Now you add in Hughes and Buddy Boeheim and you have a team that can get scoring from more spots.
Their big man Paschal Chukwu is a big presence inside with his ability to impact the game, especially on the defensive end. They don’t have a lot of size on this team so they need him to stay out of foul trouble. He averages 3.1 fouls per game but if he can give Syracuse at least 20 minutes in each game then that will help them a lot inside.
A potential second-round matchup with the Gonzaga Bulldogs is tough but it is very winnable. They have played a weak conference schedule over the past couple of months and will struggle to adjust offensively to the zone.
Syracuse has been very inconsistent this season so to expect them to play well for four games is unrealistic but we have seen it in the past and this team is better than those past teams. If they can hit shots consistently then they are going to be a tough out for anybody and if their upperclassmen play like they’re capable of then they certainly will at the very least make it tough on any opponent they match up with.