Syracuse vs. TCU NCAA Tournament Prediction, Game Preview

By Pete Fiutak | March 14, 2018 10:46 pm CT

NCAA Tournament: Syracuse vs. TCU fearless prediction and game preview.

Broadcast

Date: Friday, March 16
Game Time: 9:40 ET
Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Network: CBS

All You Really Need To Know About TCU (21-11)

(Big 12), RPI: 25. 6-seed

Despite getting knocked out of the Big 12 Tournament in a tough overtime loss to Kansas State, it’s been a good year for Jamie Dixon’s club. Five Horned Frogs average double-digits, and a sixth – G Alex Robinson – averages 9.8 per game. One of the nation’s best passing teams, everyone shares the wealth.

There’s no defense from three – teams are hitting a whopping 38% of their shots beyond the arc against TCU – but few can keep up the pace with this high-powered scoring attack. It’s the Big 12’s best rebounding team, and it’s the best from three. Watch out now that it’s a rested squad.

All You Really Need To Know About Syracuse (21-13)

(ACC), RPI: 44. 11-seed

It’s not like the Syracuse famed zone defense clamped down in the 60-56 win over Arizona State – the Sun Devils gagged, hitting just 3-of-10 tries from the free throw line. It’s not like the Orange were hitting their free throws, either, connecting on just 13-of-23 tries.

This is normally among the worst three point shooting teams in the country, but it did just enough against ASU to move on. Really long, and really great at generating second chances, it has to win with its amazing defense.

What’s Going To Happen

In a lot of ways, this is the wrong team for Syracuse to face. TCU likes to open it up, it’s amazing on the boards, and it does everything right to move the ball around. The Horned Frogs will be able to make that extra pass to get around the zone.

There’s just enough size on TCU to hold up against the tallest team in the tournament. The Horned Frogs will have to learn how to slow it down a little bit and be patient. And then they’ll hit their open shots.

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