In three tournament games, Virginia has scored 81, 77 & 84 points and have been terrifying. They also had the benefit of playing some pretty weak defensive teams. Syracuse enters the game 19th in defensive efficiency and allowing opponents to shoot only 30.6% from 3. They have a chance. Because of the zone, they're a terrible a terrible rebounding team and Mike Tobey of Virginina has been feasting on put backs. Syracuse can't let that happen. Virginia hasn't been as crisp on defense in the last two games but haven't needed to be. Again, Syracuse has got to take advantage of this. I'm trying to to lay out a scenario where Syracuse wins this game but too much has to break their way. They've had a lot break their way already in this tournament. Don't see it happening again.
Pick: Virginia 61 Syracuse 50
EAST: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina
North Carolina thumped Notre Dame by 31in the ACC Tournament a few weeks back. The Tar Heels defense has been pretty stout for the last month. They gave up 86 against Indiana but were never challenged. They made a bunch of 3's they typically miss, too that helped create distance. Notre Dame will have to play far better than they did Friday night. Playing like that against North Carolina will result in another 30 point thumping. Can they match the effort they put against Kentucky in a regional final last year? They're just not as good as that squad or deep enough. And the defense simply isn't capable to stop Carolina.
Pick: North Carolina 76 Notre Dame 61
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