A tale of two degrees and thoughts on SU-UofM
As both a Syracuse and Michigan alum, what the hell were the odds of ever being in this situation?
Grew up in suburban Detroit going to Michigan games, grew up a Syracuse fan (no idea where I picked it up) and always wanted to go to SU where I did and graduated in 2003, and then returned back to MI to get my graduate degree at UofM.
I've been a member of the MGoBlog community for years now, and while I love Michigan, for this one game I have to side with my undergrad school so LET'S GO ORANGE!
Given I may have watched more of both of these teams than anyone, figured I'd give a few thoughts on the game (through Orange colored glasses perhaps).
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I'm amazed that both of these teams have made it this far. After the Georgetown game in DC three weeks ago many SU fans would have thought it more likely to get bounced in the first round than this. Even as a Michigan fan I've thought UofM was overrated and a bit soft inside relying on 3-point shooting that could be hot or cold depending on the day. McGary has been huge in this respect, and Burke has been lights-out.
Offensively everyone on the floor for SU can score, though at times this year it's been like pulling teeth as in the Big East, SU is more of a finesse team compared to the clutch and grab by teams like G'town and Pitt which gives us fits. These teams can't get away with the same physical play in the tourney which is a huge reason they get bounced out every year. If the game turns into a shootout then SU will go as Triche and Southerland go shooting from the outside. The Syracuse team from the past two weeks is a much better gauge than anything you can gather from the regular season.
On defense, Michigan will do better than Indiana if only by virtue of having taller guards. Even though Beilein has seen the 2-3 from his time at WVU, this is definitely not a traditional SU 2-3 which has had the most significant weakness of just shooting over it. This is an expanded zone that is going to contest every 3 on the floor. The size by all 5 players on the floor is what has enabled SU to hold opponents to something like 15% 3-pt shooting for the first four games. There will be some room attacking the free-throw line area of the zone, but SU'd shot blocking has been pretty effective so far, especially with Zeller and Gardner.
I won't even try to make a prediction, I think anything could happen. Could be close either way, could be a blowout either way. I have no clue. I'm just happy that no matter the result on Saturday that one of my teams will be playing for a National Championship on Monday.
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Oh, and this guy may make an appearance.
MICHIGAN NUMBER ONE
I think it's bad luck to leave that "Let's Go Orange" up there without downvoting it.
Your choice, but with allegiances to both, I'd root for the team that won't have to vacate the win next year due to NCAA infractions.
Wait, a Michigan fan talking about vacating Final Fours?
Hypothetical scenario. If I:
1) Was a UK alum and Michigan alum and rooted for both programs unless they faced each other.
2) Had a time machine to take me back to 1992.
3) My knowledge of future Michigan sanctions survived the trip into the past
I would have cheered harder for Mashburn to beat Michigan knowing that at least their win would be recognized in the future.
You have the benefit of knowing sanctions are coming in advance, unlike Michigan fans at the time.
I'm a little surprised that there's still so much talk about Syracuse's D being a tough test for Michigan. Obviously it's a tough test, since this is the Final Four, but so far Michigan has not only beaten 3 of the best Ds in the tournament, as you said, but 3 completely different styles of defense as well. We were able to have our way with VCU's press, we survived against the shot blocking machine that is Kansas, and we just pulverized what was considered by many to be the best all around D in the country in Florida. Our offense is appearing to be perfectly constructed to take on all comers. It's like a Bruce Lee movie. The non-believers have said with each game this in this tourny that the next team is the one that will be too tough. Here's to hoping Syracuse is just Kareem Abdul Jabbar and we're just too fast and unpredictable for them.
When it comes to allegiances, I'd say the decision is simple: which degree provides you with a higher share of current and future income?
Or more importantly: which school's athletics program provides the higher highs and lower lows?
You know where I'm going with this.
I'm not usually a betting man, but my father in law is a Syracuse alumnus. We have $100 on the game, which is more of a friendly bet. My wife grew up a Syracuse fan so as I said in another thread, my son and I won't watch the game with her. Its better that way, especially if Michigan wins. She's not a good sport.
I have degrees from both M and Louisville, so I will hopefully have both my alma maters in the final. No question who I will root for, though. Go Blue.
Born in the city limits and my Dad is an alum and I have an MA from the Newhouse School at SU. Grew up a rabid SU basketball, football and lacrosse fan. I'm old enough to have seen the Orangemen play football at Archibold Stadium and basketball at Manley Fieldhouse. I have my BA from the University of Michigan. For many years I've wondered if I would see Syracuse and Michigan play a game of this consequence. Sunday my Dad (who is not a sports fan at the level I am) asked me if I would be rooting for Michigan or Syracuse. I answered without hesitation: Michigan. Always Michigan First.
You command a Romulan ship!
Graduate degrees from the University of Michigan. Prof. at SU.
If you had told me before the tourney began that one of these two teams would make it to the championship game, I would have been thrilled, and I am. I've decided that I'll just take whatever comes. The disappointment of one losing can be counterbalanced by the other winning.
SU looks like different team than it did late in the regular season. Except for 16 awful minutes against Louisville, in which a 15 point lead became a 17 point deficit, they have been playing at an entirely different level in the Big East and NCAA tourneys.
Boeheim says this is one of his best defenses ever, and that is food for thought. It's not just a zone D, it's their personnel and that they play this D almost exclusively. On the other hand, I don't think Beilein (unlike Crean) is going to show up unprepared for it. It should be a great match.
Go Blue. Go Orange. (sorry, if it were football I'd be Blue all the way)
Go away orange boy.
He's been a long-standing MGoMember and I appreciate him creating this thread. I'm sure you were probably joking since its pretty cool to be able to read his thoughts from the unique situation as a grad of both schools. That said,
I forgot to add the /s tag. Crap.
I love UVM, but if Michigan plays them in any sport, Go Blue all the way. Of course this isn't the same conflict since UVM dropped their football program in '74, plays in an only-the-tourney-champ-gets-a-bid type conference in basketball and generally sucks at hockey--which is the sport most there are really passionate about.
At least you'll have a team to cheer for in the Final. It's times like this I am glad I went to a small D-III Lutheran school for undergrad and will never have to decide between allegiances.
IT's important that Michigan get off to a good start or at least hang in there
We saw what that zone did to Indiana
and that's where I expect Trey to live. If you ever see the 1981 Indiana-UNC championship game, take a note of what Bobby Knight did with Isiah Thomas.
Open 12 footer (money), draw & dish to McGary/Robinson, or kick it back out for the open 3 to Stauskas/THJ.
THJ could also do some damage from the foul line area.
My husband, while a former college athlete and coach himself (he coached the Club hockey team at SU while attending their law school, and played both high school and college hockey in the Buffalo area), is mystified by all the Michigan "rituals" my family and I go through on important game days - the gathering of the family, the singing of The Victors, the maize and blue everything we wear, etc. I'm pretty sure he would never spend the money we spent in 1997 for all of us to go to the Rose Bowl to see Charles Woodson make that interception right in front of us and to experience that thrill in person.
I keep telling myself this is a no-lose proposition, that one of us will have an alma mater playing for the national championship a week from now. I know in my heart of hearts, though, that on Saturday I won't be able to sit and watch that game without being all in for Michigan. That is my inheritance, my youth, and an essential part of who I am. I am just as sure that he will be rooting just as hard for SU. But I know we'll watch together, and be cheering together next Monday night together. I am just hoping that this game doesn't come down to some flukey play or even worse, a bad call.