DETROIT – Syracuse barely got into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this year, with the selection committee granting it the 68th and final spot in the bracket.
The Orange have earned the right to keep dancing this March, though – and no one will be excited to tango with their famous zone defense.
Tyus Battle scored 17 points and Oshae Brissett added 15 as 11th-seeded Syracuse zoned No. 3 seed Michigan State out of the tournament, winning 55-53 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time this decade. Two years ago, while playing as a No. 10 seed, the Orange reached the Final Four for the sixth time in program history.
“No one plays zone like we do,” Brissett said. “We’re always moving – and we challenge every shot – so teams never get easy looks against us. That’s why nothing surprises me with our defense.”
Syracuse (23-13) will face second-seeded Duke (28-7) in the Midwest Regional semifinals Friday.