No. 1 Syracuse (33-2) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (26-9)
Thursday, 7:15 p.m., TD Garden, CBS

Syracuse
Looking back: Syracuse survived a scare in its first NCAA Tournament game, beating No. 16 UNC Asheville 72-65. Top seeds are now 112-0 all time against No. 16 seeds. The Orange rebounded from its subpar performance by pulling past Kansas State, 75-59, in the third round.

Syracuse’s offense vs. Wisconsin’s defense: This game will be a test for the Orange offense’s patience. Wisconsin leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 52.9 points per game. UW held North Carolina, a team that averages 82 points per game to 60 on Nov. 30.

Syracuse played three teams this season that allow less than 60 points per game – South Florida, Eastern Michigan and Georgetown. The Orange won all three, but scored just 56 against South Florida and 64 against Georgetown.

X-factor: James Southerland. The junior forward shot 20.4 percent from 3-point range in 18 Big East regular-season games. But he has come alive in the NCAA Tournament. He’s tied with Dion Waiters with 30 points in the two games and has made 5-of-7 3s. Against a Wisconsin defense that doesn’t give in too many places, a couple of triples from Southerland could make a difference.

What Syracuse needs to do to win: Win the tempo game. Wisconsin has the least amount of possessions per game among Division-I teams. The Badgers also have the second-least amount of turnovers per game. Syracuse has to speed the game up and take Wisconsin out of its comfort zone in the half court. The Orange’s ability to turn Kansas State over 14 times helped it get out in front.

Wisconsin
Looking back: Wisconsin’s defense stayed consistent in its first two NCAA Tournament games, allowing the Badgers to blow out Montana, 73-49, in the second round. UW then stifled No. 5 Vanderbilt – a popular pick to make the Final Four – in a 60-57 third-round win.

Wisconsin’s offense vs. Syracuse’s defense: While Wisconsin is known for its defense, the Badgers are sneakily efficient on offense. UW’s nine turnovers per game, second-least in the nation, helps its cause on that end.

Still, the Badgers are not going to match up well athletically against Syracuse’s long 2-3 zone. In Wisconsin’s only other game against a Big East school, the Badgers turned the ball over 12 times in a loss to Marquette. The keys for UW’s offense to be successful will be hitting 3s – Wisconsin shoots at a 36.2 percent clip from deep – and second-chance points. The Badgers average about 10 offensive rebounds per game.

X-factor: Mike Bruesewitz. Head coach Bo Ryan said Bruesewitz was due, and the junior forward certainly got hot from 3-point range in Albuquerque, N.M., this past weekend. After failing to nail a trey in eight straight games – missing 14 in a row in that stretch – the 6-foot-6 forward made 4-of-6 in UW’s two games. He plays 25.7 minutes per game, so those contributions will be important.

What Wisconsin needs to do to win: Convert on its second-chance opportunities. Kansas State grabbed 25 offensive rebounds against Syracuse on Saturday, but it scored just 20 second-chance points. Ryan Evans, Bruesewitz and Jared Berggren all average five or more rebounds per game, and what they do with the ones they grab on the offensive glass could determine who moves to the Elite Eight.

No. 2 Ohio State (29-7) vs. No. 6 Cincinnati (26-10)
Thursday, 9:45 p.m., TD Garden, CBS

Ohio State
Looking back: Ohio State cruised to a 78-59 win over No. 15 Loyola (Md.) in the second round to set up a matchup with No. 7 Gonzaga. The Buckeyes were challenged by the Bulldogs all game long, but they ultimately pulled away to earn a 73-66 win and move on to the Sweet 16.

Ohio State’s offense vs. Cincinnati’s defense: The matchup between these in-state foes pits an Ohio State team loaded with offensive weapons against a stingy Cincinnati defense. Four Buckeyes players are averaging double figures in scoring in NCAA Tournament play, while the Bearcats have held their opponents to 70 points or fewer in their last 11 games.

First-team All-American Jared Sullinger has been a force inside for the Buckeyes, averaging 17.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Deshaun Thomas has emerged as a big-time scoring threat in the tournament. He has poured in 24.5 points per game, nearly nine more than his regular-season average. With William Buford and Aaron Craft also capable scorers, OSU poses a tough matchup for the Bearcats.

X Factor: William Buford. The guard is the lone senior on the Buckeyes roster. He is third on the team in scoring, second in assists and third in rebounding. In addition to his all-around game, he provides Ohio State with experience and veteran leadership that can often be valuable in pressure situations.

What Ohio State needs to do to win: Get out in front early. If Ohio State can use its scoring power to jump out to an early lead, it should be in good position to advance to the Elite Eight. The Bearcats have played in two ugly games so far, overcoming poor shooting performances with defense. The Buckeyes won’t want to let Cincinnati hang around with a chance into the second half.

Cincinnati
Looking back: The Bearcats just got by No. 11 Texas in the second round of the tournament, holding off the Longhorns’ second-half comeback for a 65-59 victory. Cincinnati then upset No. 3 Florida State in the third round with a 62-56 win.

Cincinnati’s offense vs. Ohio State’s defense: Cincinnati boasts talented threats in the paint and on the perimeter, but the Bearcats offense isn’t always efficient. Against Ohio State, UC might hit a roadblock. The Buckeyes are 14th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing a stingy 59.3 points per game. If the Bearcats are going to be successful, they’ll need Sean Kilpatrick to continue to knock down outside shots and Yancy Gates to maintain his status as a rebounding machine.

X-factor: JaQuon Parker. When Parker finds his shooting stroke, the Cincinnati guard is another threat in the Bearcats’ offense, but he typically flies under the radar with Kilpatrick and Gates getting so much attention. Against Texas, Parker scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. Against Florida State, he finished with nine points, and though he only went 2-of-8 from the field, he drained five of his six free throws.

What Cincinnati needs to do to win: Limit Jared Sullinger. The Bearcats have to try and do what few teams have managed to do all year to beat Ohio State. Cincinnati has to find a way to contain Sullinger – no easy task, considering he is averaging 20.4 points over OSU’s last five games. If the Bearcats can find a way to stop Sullinger, they’ll have a shot at advancing to the Elite Eight. 

-Compiled by The Daily Orange Sports staff

Published on March 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm