Jim Boeheim’s squad has certainly faced some ups and downs this season. After serving a nine-game suspension due to NCAA infractions, the legendary Boeheim helped lead his team to a No. 10 seed in the tourney — a shockingly high placement considering it went 19-13 in the regular season. However, the Orange have responded by knocking out 7-seed Dayton in the first round, 70-51, and 15-seed Middle Tennessee in the second round, 75-50. 

Gonzaga, on the other hand, took a 26-7 record and turned it into an 11-seed. The Bulldogs, led by head coach Mark Few, took down 6-seed Seton Hall, 68-52, before sending 3-seeded Utah home early, 82-59, to advance to the Sweet 16. 

Here are the Campus Insiders Syracuse vs. Gonzaga picks.

Sam Falcone

Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis will be able to stretch the floor very well in this matchup. As long as Gonzaga’s guards keep up the stellar defense against Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney, the Zags should advance.

Robert Judin

Syracuse has gotten hot at the right time, and it’s ridden the madness of March to the Sweet 16. The problem is Gonzaga has been doing the same, and the dynamic duo of Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis will send the Orange home.

Glenn McGraw

Gonzaga has the post game to equalize Syracuse’s zone. Domantas Sabonis and Kyler Wiltjer will be too much for the Orange to handle.

Jordan Cornette

Gonzaga struggles to beat the zone, and Tyler Lydon will continue to find the spark off the bench. Syracuse wins.

Shae Peppler

Gonzaga … 2-3 zone … yeah, yeah, yeah. This is the year when there are no expectations. This Zags team impresses and will take down ‘Cuse.

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