Midwest Region Elite Eight Game Breakdown
The Midwest Region will come down to an ACC matchup. Virginia has reached its first Elite Eight since the mid-1990s and Syracuse, an improbable entry, fought tooth and nail to be in this position.
Virginia did not show any weaknesses whatsoever in its victory over an experienced and skilled Iowa State team. The Cyclones battled and cut into the Cavaliers’ lead but never really threatened all game. Mike Tobey had the game of his life with 18 points and seven rebounds. The Cavaliers kept Iowa State out of their rhythm and consistently got to the foul line. That was the key difference. The Cyclones actually played well, especially senior Georges Niang, but Virginia was just more efficient in key moments. If this team can maintain 56% shooting from the field, they are officially very dangerous.
Syracuse played Gonzaga in a great game. The Bulldogs looked in control for a good portion of the second half, but they could never put the Orange away. Late in the game, Syracuse used full-court pressure to generate turnovers and convert them into points. They took a one-point lead with 19 seconds left on a tip-in by Tyler Lydon; his first field goal of the game. Michael Gbinije was the man for the Orange with 20 points. Tyler Roberson did not fill up the stat sheet, but he was a hustle man for Syracuse all game and he kept so many loose balls alive on the offensive glass. Syracuse was actually outrebounded, but at key points in the game the Orange came up with the loose balls. That tenacity was the difference.
This will be an interesting game considering how well these two teams know each other. Virginia topped Syracuse at home earlier this season, 73-65. This will be on a neutral court so perhaps that will level the playing field for Jim Boeheim’s team. This is the best offensive Virginia team Tony Bennett has had since he’s been in Charlottesville. They have the look of a Final Four team. Syracuse, on the fringe of the tournament field, will have their work cut out for them. Will they be able to keep playing at a high-level and with such grittiness they displayed on Friday? They can certainly keep it close if they are on their game. Teams with this type of familiarity with each other always make tournament games intriguing.
