Syracuse vs. Virginia

An evenly matched game of two powerhouse defenses. The Syracuse Orange are well coached under Jim Boeheim, and their trademark zone defense has stifled opponents in the tournament, allowing an average of 53.7 points. Leading scorer Michael Gbinije (17.8 points per game) has topped the 20-point mark in his last two games, and guard Trevor Cooney is averaging 13.3 points and shooting 50 percent from three-point range in the tournament. Syracuse forward Tyler Lydon has blocked six shots in each of his last two games. Syracuse struggled early in the season with Boeheim suspended for nine games by the NCAA, but they are clicking now, on a 12-3-1 spread run. Boeheim is in the Elite Eight for the seventh time and is seeking his fifth Final Four berth. Virginia is a big favorite, but not an explosive offensive team, ranking #12 in the ACC in scoring. Leading scorer Malcolm Brogdon has been an inconsistent tournament performer, shooting 36.8 percent from the floor in eight career games. They have feasted on weak defensive teams in the tourney, but that's not the case here as this one goes to the wire. Play Syracuse.