State your case: Who will win the NCAA tournament?
North Carolina
In one of the wildest NCAA tournaments in history, coaching took an even more prevalent role as evidenced by four of the best coaches in the nation left standing at the Final Four. But which one will be cutting down the nets come Monday? Each team can certainly make a case.
Syracuse has experienced possibly the greatest coaching job Jim Beoheim has ever accomplished, riding their impressive zone defense into the national semifinals.
Oklahoma has been led through its region by Buddy Hield and his amazing and historic play. Oklahoma’s Lon Kruger is the best head coach no one seems to know about.
Villanova finally got it right in the tournament this year, relying on a stingy defense that gives up only 63 points per game and held title-favorite Kansas to just 59 points, while maintaining a highly efficient and potent offense.
UNC has dominated every opponent they’ve faced in the Big Dance, led by big man Brice Johnson who is averaging a near double-double for the season at 21 points per game and 9.8 rebounds. The team has found its shooting stroke in the tournament, shooting over 38 percent from 3-point range.
Before this tournament started, I picked UNC to win an epic showdown with Hield and Oklahoma in the championship. I stand by that championship matchup. The amount of talent UNC has, inside and outside the perimeter, is staggering. They’ve outscored opponents by an average of 16 points this year. Coach Roy Williams can coach with anyone else in the nation.
Expect the Tar Heels to be celebrating Monday night.
— onthecornerofmainstreet.dh@gmail.com
Twitter: @TheGrandDanny
Syracuse
Syracuse will defeat North Carolina in the Final Four, then stun the world of sports by taking down Oklahoma to win the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.
Syracuse has surprised everyone in this tournament. They weren’t even supposed to play in this damn thing, but they’ve managed to overcome the odds as the first 10-seed to ever play in the Final Four.
This tournament has arguably been the most impressive coaching performance of Jim Boehiem’s legendary career.
North Carolina won’t be an easy victory for the Orange but I think Syracuse matches up well with the Tar Heels in the Final Four. North Carolina isn’t a three-point shooting team. Less than 20 percent of their offense comes from three-point shots.
Syracuse’s two-three zone will be a nightmare for North Carolina if they plan on beating the Orange with inside scoring. Oklahoma’s offense is explosive and Buddy Hield is one of the best shooters in the tournament’s history. However, his ability to shoot from long range won’t be enough to carry the Sooners over Syracuse.
Syracuse is one of the grittiest and smartest teams I have ever seen in the tournament. Boehiem’s ability to make the necessary adjustments to win close games in this tournament is simply amazing.
Boeheim’s defensive schemes and adjustments will rattle Buddy Hield and Oklahoma in a low-scoring championship game and the Syracuse Orange will become the first 10-seed to win the NCAA Tournament.
— benfordhamsix@gmail.com
Twitter: @bfordham6