Syracuse vs. Gonzaga Prediction – Who’s Got Next
Syracuse vs. Gonzaga prediction and preview. Who’s Got Next analyzes the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 matchup between the Orange and Bulldogs.
Syracuse vs. Gonzaga prediction and preview. Who’s Got Next analyzes the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 matchup between the Orange and Bulldogs.
How they got here
Syracuse beat No. 7 Dayton 70-51 in first round, No. 15 Middle Tennessee 75-50 in second round; Gonzaga beat No. 6 Seton Hall 68-52 in the first round, beat Utah 82-59 in the second round
Why Syracuse will win
The Orange have been the picture of inconsistency this season, but they’ve put things together in the first two rounds to move on without much of a sweat. Part of it has been matchups—Syracuse has knocked off Dayton and Middle Tennessee, not exactly powerhouses—and part of it has been ‘Cuse using its length to turn up the focus on defense. The Orange counts on Michael Gbinije to get the job done inside, but he also can step away from the basket and is a decent passer to boot. Guards Malachi Richardson and Trevor Cooney present two different styles, which forces opponents to adjust. Cooney is the outside threat, someone who thrives on the receiving end of the drive-and-kick game, while Richardson is more of a slasher who can light up the scoreboard. The challenge for Syracuse vs. Gonzaga will be to stay focused on defense and not allow the Bulldogs’ ball movement to confuse the Orange.
Why Gonzaga will win
Few teams are playing with more confidence than Gonzaga right now, and the Bulldogs’ demolition of Utah in the second round proved the Zags can play with anyone. The duo of Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis give Gonzaga a one-two punch that simply wears teams down. Wiltjer can score inside and out, he’s a quality passer and is incredibly patient on offense. He’s in the mold of a prototypical stretch-4, and his ability to take over games make him a star. Sabonis is a load in the paint, someone who can score with both hands and also has the range to step out and knock down the triple. He’s a quality passer as well. The key for Gonzaga will be for its guards to make their presence felt. When Eric McClellan and Kyle Dranginis are productive and can stretch the floor, it opens the lane for Wiltjer and Sabonis to operate. The Bulldogs aren’t going to wilt in the moment.
Syracuse vs. Gonzaga Prediction
Syracuse has been up and down all year, and there are few teams who are as disciplined as the Bulldogs. Wiltjer and Sabonis will come into this one expecting to win, and the Zags have the defense to frustrate Syracuse inside and out.
Syracuse vs. Gonzaga Final Score Prediction: Gonzaga 65, Syracuse 58
