Marquette vs. Syracuse March 30 Free Pick

It’s a Big East affair in the regional final as Syracuse and Marquette dual for the second time this season – this time on a much bigger stage. Syracuse opens as 3.5-point favorites after slaying the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers Thursday night.

Free Pick

Here’s the deal with these teams’ first meeting. Marquette topped Syracuse by three points in late February in Milwaukee in a frustrating game for SU fans. Out of all of Syracuse’s games this year this one actually does stick out the clearest in my memory. I can personally tell you that everyone on this campus is only talking about “that big, fat guy” aka Davante Gardner. The Marquette sixth-man went off for a career-high 26 on SU on 7-7 shooting and 12-13 free throws. Gardner was an absolute monster both catching the ball behind the zone when Cadougan and Blue were able to penetrate and then also catching in the middle of the zone himself. Gardner is a heavy, undersized big who has nice touch and is an excellent mid-range jump shooter. You can’t put him on the line either where he shoots nearly 85 percent. Gardner played with a confidence that couldn’t have been any higher in that game and I don’t expect a repeat performance but he still will be a dangerous weapon for the Golden Eagles.

There is one thing that determines who wins this game, and it is whether Marquette is able to get into the lane. Literally, it is what it comes down to. If Junior Cadougan, Vander Blue, Trent Lockett, Jamil Wilson and company get into the teeth of the SU zone, Marquette will win this game because they are playing awesome defense. This comes down to the pressure that Carter-Williams and Triche can exert on the perimeter. You know they will have reviewed this after their last meeting and I think Syracuse will be able to make the adjustments to be able to win this game.

Offensively, Syracuse needs to continue to get to the basket and use their size and athleticism on the back boards. Rakeem Christmas and Baye Keita have been unbelievably good for the Orange after having somewhat disappointing regular seasons. If Southerland continues to knock down the three-point shot and spread the floor to open up penetrating lanes for Carter-Williams and Triche, the Orange should take care of business.

No one has been able to handle the 2-3 thus far and I don’t think Marquette is going to fair that much better to be able to actually beat Syracuse in this one. As long as the Orange don’t turn it over on their offense end of the floor, they will emphasize the ball pressure on the perimeter and keep the Marquette guards quiet. Syracuse going to the Final Four.

Pick: Syracuse -3.5