Texas vs Syracuse
Top-seeded Texas from the South region will collide with third-seeded Syracuse of the East in the nightcap game of Final Four Saturday. Tip-off will come 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Kansas-Marquette matchup.
Most sports books are listing the Longhorns as three-point favorites, with the total at 154. Texas owns a 13-8 spread record in the favorite role, while the 'Cuse is 4-2 versus the number in the underdog outfit.
T.J. Ford and Rick Barnes have led Texas to its first Final Four appearance since 1947. (AP)
T.J. Ford (15.1 points per game) led Texas (26-6 straight up, 17-9 against the spread) past Michigan State in the South finals by scoring 19 points and dishing out 10 assists. The Longhorns captured an 85-76 win over the Spartans as 4 1/2-point favorites. The 161 combined points soared 'over' the closing 135-point total.
The 'over' is 5-1-2 in the last eight Texas games.
Rick Barnes' team has advanced to its first Final Four since 1947, becoming the lone top seed to make it to New Orleans in this Tournament. The Longhorns made it to the Big Easy via wins over UNC-Asheville, Purdue, Connecticut and Michigan State.
Texas has compiled a 2-1-1 spread mark in the Big Dance, but it is in the midst of a more impressive 14-5-2 ATS spree.
Syracuse (28-5 SU, 17-12 ATS) knocked off top-seeded Oklahoma in the East finals. The Orangemen's zone defense held the Sooners to 31 percent shooting from the field and out-rebounded them by a 40-28 count.
Syracuse has advanced to its first Final Four since 1996. (AP)
Freshman sensation Carmelo Anthony scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the 'Cuse to a convincing 63-47 win as a three-point underdog. Money line players brought home plus 135 on the comeback.
The 110 combined points fell 'under' the closing 136-point total. The 'under' is 5-1 in Syracuse games in the Big East and NCAA Tournaments.
Jim Boeheim's team has won 12 of its last 13 games, compiling an 8-5 spread mark in that span.
The 'Cuse arrived in New Orleans early Wednesday night. The Crescent City was the site of Syracuse's heartbeaking loss to Indiana in the '87 finals. Keith Smart's leaning baseline jumper ended the Orangemen's title hopes in Rony Seikaly's senior campaign.
Boeheim also led the 'Cuse to the '96 Finals, where it lost to Kentucky.
Look for the Orangemen to stick with their 2-3 matchup zone against the Longhorns. This alignment has been especially effective because of the height and quickness of Anthony and Kueth Duany, who can quickly get to spot-up shooters on the wings and in the corners.
Texas has several zone-busters who can stroke it from beyond the arc. Surprisingly, Ford is not much of a perimeter shooter, as he connected on merely 15-of-56 (27%) 3-point attemtps this year. However, Brandon Mouton (14.4 PPG) buried 42-of-100 attempts from long range, while Sydmill Harris (37-of-104, 36%) and Brian Boddicker (39-of-89, 44%) are also capable of draining shots from the perimeter.
Ford is the key, though, as his penetration will open up Mouton and Co. to spot up for jumpers. Ford is perhaps the best passer in the country, averaging 7.2 assists per game, with only 2.2 turnovers per outing.
For money line players interested in backing the 'Cuse to win outright, they can bring home plus 135 on the comeback. Of course, another advantage of this type of wager is the absence of "the juice." Most places are listing Texas as a minus 155 'chalk' on the money line.
Top-seeded Texas from the South region will collide with third-seeded Syracuse of the East in the nightcap game of Final Four Saturday. Tip-off will come 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Kansas-Marquette matchup.
Most sports books are listing the Longhorns as three-point favorites, with the total at 154. Texas owns a 13-8 spread record in the favorite role, while the 'Cuse is 4-2 versus the number in the underdog outfit.
T.J. Ford and Rick Barnes have led Texas to its first Final Four appearance since 1947. (AP)
T.J. Ford (15.1 points per game) led Texas (26-6 straight up, 17-9 against the spread) past Michigan State in the South finals by scoring 19 points and dishing out 10 assists. The Longhorns captured an 85-76 win over the Spartans as 4 1/2-point favorites. The 161 combined points soared 'over' the closing 135-point total.
The 'over' is 5-1-2 in the last eight Texas games.
Rick Barnes' team has advanced to its first Final Four since 1947, becoming the lone top seed to make it to New Orleans in this Tournament. The Longhorns made it to the Big Easy via wins over UNC-Asheville, Purdue, Connecticut and Michigan State.
Texas has compiled a 2-1-1 spread mark in the Big Dance, but it is in the midst of a more impressive 14-5-2 ATS spree.
Syracuse (28-5 SU, 17-12 ATS) knocked off top-seeded Oklahoma in the East finals. The Orangemen's zone defense held the Sooners to 31 percent shooting from the field and out-rebounded them by a 40-28 count.
Syracuse has advanced to its first Final Four since 1996. (AP)
Freshman sensation Carmelo Anthony scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the 'Cuse to a convincing 63-47 win as a three-point underdog. Money line players brought home plus 135 on the comeback.
The 110 combined points fell 'under' the closing 136-point total. The 'under' is 5-1 in Syracuse games in the Big East and NCAA Tournaments.
Jim Boeheim's team has won 12 of its last 13 games, compiling an 8-5 spread mark in that span.
The 'Cuse arrived in New Orleans early Wednesday night. The Crescent City was the site of Syracuse's heartbeaking loss to Indiana in the '87 finals. Keith Smart's leaning baseline jumper ended the Orangemen's title hopes in Rony Seikaly's senior campaign.
Boeheim also led the 'Cuse to the '96 Finals, where it lost to Kentucky.
Look for the Orangemen to stick with their 2-3 matchup zone against the Longhorns. This alignment has been especially effective because of the height and quickness of Anthony and Kueth Duany, who can quickly get to spot-up shooters on the wings and in the corners.
Texas has several zone-busters who can stroke it from beyond the arc. Surprisingly, Ford is not much of a perimeter shooter, as he connected on merely 15-of-56 (27%) 3-point attemtps this year. However, Brandon Mouton (14.4 PPG) buried 42-of-100 attempts from long range, while Sydmill Harris (37-of-104, 36%) and Brian Boddicker (39-of-89, 44%) are also capable of draining shots from the perimeter.
Ford is the key, though, as his penetration will open up Mouton and Co. to spot up for jumpers. Ford is perhaps the best passer in the country, averaging 7.2 assists per game, with only 2.2 turnovers per outing.
For money line players interested in backing the 'Cuse to win outright, they can bring home plus 135 on the comeback. Of course, another advantage of this type of wager is the absence of "the juice." Most places are listing Texas as a minus 155 'chalk' on the money line.
