ATLANTA — With a few hours before Syracuse takes on Michigan in the Final Four, fans of the respective schools weigh in on their thoughts and predictions for the game. It seems everyone believes their university will advance to the national championship game on Monday.
Stephan Weed drove down six hours from Raleigh, N.C., last night for the game.
"I have extreme confidence that Syracuse's zone is going to completely shut down Michigan, like they've done to the first four teams in the tournament."
Weed didn't go to Syracuse University, bur has a lot of family members from Upstate New York.
"They started raising me right," he said. "I've been wearing orange ever since I can remember."
Prediction: 64-60, Syracuse
/ The Daily Orange
Mike Peck, a 2003 SU alumnus who lives in Atlanta, was an SU student when the Orange first won the national championship.
"I'm very excited, obviously. I was a little worried in the beginning of the year, didn't think we'd make it this far, but they pulled through. They're playing good defense for the tournament, so I'm very excited. Worried about their shooters a little bit against the zone, but I'm excited," Peck said.
"I was there when Carmelo hit it, so hopefully it happens again," he said.
Prediction: 72-64 Syracuse
Luke Rafferty | Asst. Photo Editor
Mike Cazzolli, a 2003 SU alumnus, traveled down to Atlanta with Colleen Lathey, a 2011 alumna of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Clark Willett and Zack Farden from the Syracuse area.
"I'm a little surprised they're here. But they've been playing good basketball, and I've always wanted to go to a Final Four. So this is the opportunity," Cazzolli said.
"I think Michigan's got to miss some shots early, and I think if we get off to a good start, it'll go well for us," Farden said.
Prediction: Syracuse by five
Luke Rafferty | Asst. Photo Editor
David Buzby is an undeclared freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences who traveled down to Atlanta for the game.
"I'm really excited. I brought my blue and orange face paint. I'm ready to paint myself up and go crazy for SU," he said.
"I think our defense is going to be really good. The game's going to be around 50-60 points, max," he said. "It's going to be a shootout, though," Buzby added.
Prediction: Syracuse by five
Luke Rafferty | Asst. Photo Editor
Scott Robinson and his daughter, Katy Robinson, traveled to Atlanta to root for the Wolverines. Scott Robinson is originally from Michigan, and now lives in New Orleans.
"I just feel like we got tall enough guards to shoot over the zone, and I feel really confident," Scott Robinson said. “Michigan's playing really well after Kansas — they have that momentum from that comeback — and I feel like that's the kind of thing that'll carry you through the rest of the tournament."
Prediction: Michigan by three
Luke Rafferty | Asst. Photo Editor
Jake McMahon, a fifth year senior; Jordan McMahon, a junior; Nicole Battaglia, a senior; and Julia Mazur, a junior, traveled down from Ann Arbor, Mich., for the game.
"We got our hotel until Tuesday, so we're going to see Michigan in the finals, I think," Jordan McMahon said.
"I think it's going to be a close game, definitely," he said.
"We're going to win, bro," Jake McMahon said.
Prediction: 65-59, Michigan
Luke Rafferty | Asst. Photo EditorPublished on April 6, 2013 at 5:00 pm
