The Syracuse Orange will look to continue their magical March run, as they face Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels for the third time this season at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Orange, fresh off an epic comeback against No. 1 seed Virginia in the Elite Eight, is the first No. 10 seed to make the Final Four in NCAA Tournament history.
Prior Meetings
1/13/16 at the Carrier Dome
North Carolina defeats Syracuse 84-73.
Leading scorers: UNC- Isaiah Hicks, 21 points. Syracuse- Trevor Cooney, 27 points
Three-pointers: UNC- 3-16 (19%). Syracuse- 9-31 (29%).
Points in the paint: UNC- 46. Syracuse- 26.
Bench points: UNC- 29. Syracuse- 2.
Points off turnovers: UNC- 18. Syracuse- 9.
The first meeting between these two ACC teams was Jim Boeheim’s return from the nine-game suspension he served due to the NCAA sanctions. One note about this game: this game happened during Tyler Lydon’s mid-season slump; he only scored two points while pulling down one rebound against the Tar Heels in the first meeting.
2/29 at Dean Smith Center
North Carolina defeats Syracuse 75-70.
Leading scorers: UNC- Brice Johnson, 14 points. Syracuse- Michael Gbinije, 17 points.
Three-pointers: UNC- 6-25 (24%). Syracuse- 5-20 (25%)
Points in the paint: UNC- 38. Syracuse- 32.
Bench points: UNC- 53 (this number is abnormally high because this game was UNC’s senior night, and three non-regulars started the game, thus having regular starters come off the bench). Syracuse- 16
Points off turnovers: UNC- 16. Syracuse- 8.
This game was competitive throughout, but the Tar Heels were simply too much for the Orange to handle. Gbinije, while leading the team in scoring, had arguably one of his worst games of the year, committing seven turnovers. The Orange also struggled from downtown in this game.
Who’s Hot- Malachi Richardson
Just to be clear, we’re all naming our first children Malachi, right? Seriously, the freshman had one of the best second-half performances in tournament history. He put the Orange on his back and willed them to a comeback win. The shot that everyone will remember, the three-point dagger in Malcolm Brogdon’s eyehole to put the Orange up four, was as ballsy as they come.
Who’s Not- ….
There’s no reason to nitpick what is happening with this team right now, as they are firing on all cylinders. Each game has produced a new hero: Lydon for his block against Gonzaga; Cooney for his steal in that same game; Gbinije for shouldering the load against Middle Tennessee State. That is how championships are won.
Can the Orange limit UNC’s transition game?
A common trend in the first two Syracuse-UNC games is that the Tar Heels have doubled up the Orange in points off turnovers. The Orange has done a good job of holding onto the ball so far in the tournament, and that will be key stat to watch in this game. Jim Boeheim hasn’t unleashed the press often this season—he will if the Orange are behind by a lot to get them back in the game quickly—but it is something he might want to consider, seeing as his team plays well when they pick up the pace.
Key Matchup- Lydon vs. Tar Heels Frontcourt
Malachi Richardson stole all the headlines after the Virginia game, and deservedly so, but Tyler Lydon’s maturation has made the Orange a tougher defensive team. Lydon has recorded 5+ blocks in each of his last three tournament games. Brice Johnson is a National Player of the Year candidate, and Isaiah Hicks has become a big-time inside scorer as well. For the Orange to finally beat the Tar Heels, they’ll need another defensive gem from Lydon.