NCAA Tournament Elite 8: Syracuse vs. Ohio State Preview

Published: 24th Mar 12 1:22 am
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by Adam McGill
adammcgill
NCAA Tournament Elite 8: Syracuse vs. Ohio State Preview
Michael Ivins-US PRESSWIRE

Game: (1) Syracuse – (2) Ohio State 3/24 7:05 PM ET

Game Analysis:  Cuse barely survived a last second scare, as Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor just missed the game winning 3-point attempt that grazed the front of the rim.  The Orange now play a much more sound Buckeyes team, who will test them inside much more often behind All-Big Ten First Team Player, Jared Sullinger.  OSU loves to spread the ball around and is not afraid the cram it down your throat.  They will begin slow, but will only wear down the Orange defense as the game goes on.  Cuse is an amazing jump shooting team though, so expect them to keep the pressure on the Buckeye offense all day.

Matchup to Watch:  PG Scoop Jardine, Syracuse vs. PG Aaron Craft, Ohio State – When the tournament started last week, not many people thought the point guard matchup of the tournament would be Jardine vs. Craft.  However, both players have easily been the most critical part of their journey thus far.  Jardine was huge in the 64-63 nail-biting win over Wisconsin, as he dropped 14 points and 4 assists in the contest.  Jardine is a very dangerous jump shooter and his movement off the ball will frustrate Craft all game.  Craft continues to have an MVP type performance this tournament, as he averaged 12 points, 6.3 assists, and 4 steals per game.  He is a very patient point guard and knows to let the play develop before forcing it up court.

Matchup to Watch:  F Rakeem Christmas, Syracuse vs. F Jared Sullinger, Ohio State – Christmas is an amazing athlete in the low-post, as the freshman has led the Orange’s interior with Fab Melo missing the entire tournament.  Christmas was limited to only 11 minutes last game versus Wisconsin, due to early foul trouble, but he will need to play much more careful against one of the best big men in the country.  Sullinger is a man in a teenager’s body and will be able to push Christmas around in the paint all game.  Christmas has to again make sure he does not get into foul trouble, because Sullinger’s raw strength makes him next to impossible to contain for an entire game.

Prediction: Ohio State 76 – Syracuse 73

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