Ringer's Tournament Record
ATS: 27-37
SU: 41-23
This tournament has brought many surprises to say the least. The biggest "shock" of all is Wichita State traveling to Atlanta to participate in the Final Four. They run into a Louisville team that is making some of the nation's best teams look silly in recent weeks. In the other matchup, we have two teams that have had their ups and downs but are peaking at the right time as Syracuse and Michigan will do battle. I picked Louisville to cut down the nets in the Georgia Dome before the season began (http://ringersports.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-ncaa-tournament-projections.html) and then again before the NCAA Tournament began. I see no reason to change that now.
National Semifinal - Atlanta
1 Louisville (-10) vs. 9 Wichita St.
How they got here:
Louisville beat: North Carolina A&T 79-48, Colorado St. 82-56, Oregon 77-69, Duke 85-63
Wichita St. beat: Pittsburgh 73-55, Gonzaga 76-70, LaSalle 72-54, Ohio St. 70-66
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Louisville: 15-5
Wichita St.: 6-2
Cinderella is looking to dance the night away on Saturday and extend the party into the next work week. Wichita State has become the latest mid-major to sneak into the Final Four. They will try to knock off the mighty Louisville Cardinals in the first game on Saturday. This is the second year in a row that Rick Pitino has lead Louisville into the Final Four. This year they enter as the favorite. They returned most of the key components from last year's run and want to seal the deal this time around. Nobody has been able to solve the Cardinals' full-court pressure to this point. Greg Marshall's squad has had a phenomenal run through the tournament. The Shockers already have upset wins over Gonzaga and Ohio State, but neither of those compare to the surprise it would be if they knock off Louisville. Wichita State will have to slow down the game and protect the ball if they plan to win this one. Louisville has been able to turn over the most talented of teams this year. They just need to make sure that they don't overlook Wichita State. If the Cardinals play their style, they will advance to their first National Championship Game since 1986. The Shockers have held their own with some of the nation's best teams, but Louisville is a different monster. The clock strikes midnight on Saturday, and Cinderella's dance is over.
Prediction - Louisville 77 Wichita St. 63
National Semifinal - Atlanta
4 Michigan (-2.5) vs. 4 Syracuse
How they got here:
Michigan beat: South Dakota St. 71-56, VCU 78-53, Kansas 87-85 OT, Florida 79-59
Syracuse beat: Montana 81-34, Cal 66-60, Indiana 61-50, Marquette 55-39
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Michigan: 12-6
Syracuse: 11-8
For the first time in the history of the NCAA Tournament, two 4-seeds will play one another. Michigan and Syracuse have both regained their early season form at the right time. Each of these teams were ranked in the top 5 throughout November and December. They took their lumps in conference play, playing in the two best conferences in America. That must have prepared them well for March, as both teams have gotten their swagger back and are one win from playing for a national championship. The NCAA Tournament is all about guard play. That would explain how Michigan and Syracuse got this far. Michigan has possibly the National Player of the Year at PG in Trey Burke. Syracuse counters that with Michael Carter-Williams, whose draft stock has gotten a huge lift since March Madness began. This game is pretty evenly matched. Michigan probably has more talent, but the 2-3 scheme that Syracuse employs has been difficult for anyone to figure out. The Orange uses their length and athleticism to give teams fits. Syracuse hasn't faced Trey Burke though. Burke should be able to get into the teeth of that defense and create shots for himself and teammates. I like Michigan to win a close one and face Louisville in the National Championship Game on Monday night.
Prediction - Michigan 64 Syracuse 62
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