On the strength of their supremely aggressive, 2-3 zone defense, the Syracuse Orange (30-9) are headed to the Final Four in record-breaking fashion. In defeating the third-seeded Marquette Golden Eagles, 55-39, in the Elite Eight, the fourth-seeded Orange held Marquette to just 23 percent shooting and an NCAA Tournament regional-low in scoring since the shot-clock era began in 1986. The Orange’s defense has proven to be the difference all tournament long, helping them secure a record-setting, 47-point blowout against the Montana Grizzlies (25-7) in the first round, followed by wins over the California Golden Bears and top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers. Now, Syracuse is hoping that its defense can stunt the Michigan Wolverines (30-7) when the two meet in Atlanta for the Final Four on April 6 at the Georgia Dome.
Head coach Jim Boeheim is 3-0 in national semifinal games, and the upcoming contest will be his first trip to the Final Four since Carmelo Anthony helped lead Syracuse to a national title in 2003. The Orange will certainly need to keep up their impressive defense, as the Wolverines’ quartet of Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Glen Robinson III, and Mitch McGary have proven to be one of the most effective offensive attacks in the tournament. Vivid Seats has a great assortment of Final Four tickets, which also includes the night’s first matchup between the Louisville Cardinals (33-5) and Wichita State Shockers (30-8). Winners from each Final Four matchup will collide on April 8 for the chance to secure an NCAA National Championship.
