The final ticket to the 2013 NCAA Championship game will be punched when Syracuse and Michigan meet in Atlanta. The Final Four match-up will air Saturday night on CBS television at 8:49 p.m., EDT. The game can also be seen on-line for free through March Madness Live.
In a match-up of two historic basketball programs, the Orange (30-9) and Wolverines (30-7) come to Atlanta with plenty of fire power on their respective rosters.
Michigan began the season as an early candidate to reach the Final Four. Having fulfilled that part of the journey, the Wolverines will continue to rely on their top player as they have all season, sophomore guard and 2013 Wooden Award recipient Trey Burke. Burke edged out Indiana's Victor Oladipo who take home the title of college basketball's top player.
Burke is averaging over 15 points per game in the tournament but perhaps the biggest and greatest boost UM has received comes from forward Mitch McGary. Third in the tournament with 17.5 points per game, McGary provides Michigan with a dangerous low post present, something that could pay dividends against the vaunted Syracuse zone defense.
While Syracuse and head coach Jim Boeheim are no stranger to the Final Four, they face a tough test in the Wolverines. Paving the way during the tournament for the Orange has been junior C.J. Fair. Averaging over 13 points per contest in the tourney, Fair gives the Orange consistent offensive play. Support from Brandon Triche (12.8ppg) and Michael Carter-Williams (13.0ppg, 4.8apg) make the Orange dangerous on both sides of the ball. The key for the Orange will be getting an early lead. A few points up on the board early will make it extremely tough for the Wolverines to play catch up against one of the best defensive minds in all of basketball, Jim Boeheim.
Prediction: Jim Boeheim and the Orange won a championship in 2003. During that run, the Orange relied heavily on current NBA star Carmelo Anthony. With more balance on this year's squad SU faces a very good defensive team in the Michigan Wolverines, a team that can also score in bunches. In a tight one, U of M and head coach John Beiline advance to the title game.
Michigan - 70 Syracuse - 69
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