Syracuse was on fire from three-point range throughout the game, finishing 11-for-24 from downtown. They got to the free throw line 39 times. Texas A&M just defeated #10 Gonzaga earlier today 62-61.
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Gbinije scored 10 first half points to lead the charge for Syracuse.
The Aggies turned things around by outscoring SU, 12-5, in less than five minutes.
UConn (4-0) shot 50 percent from the floor, outrebounded the Wolverines by 11 and, perhaps most impressively, held Michigan’s long-range gunners to 8-for-29 from beyond the 3-point arc and 32.1 percent overall from the floor. Syracuse scoring is being led by Gibinje. Texas A&M has gotten it done against tough competition and this could be a special year. He allowed himself a small celebration running up the court after clanking a fade-away two off the rim just moments before.
Malachi Richardson drained a three from the right wing to clip the margin to five, but Texas A&M tacked on another basket. Eighteen of his 21 points came in the second half. Given three fouls shots, Gbinije made the first two, bringing Syracuse within 35-33 at halftime. MI found itself staring up at a 19 point deficit midway through the second half, but the game had seemed a forgone conclusion much earlier than that.
Although this battle will be played for third place, the victor will get a huge resume booster, which is what college basketball is all about – well, at least when it comes to being part of March Madness. The Orange then fought off several runs by the Huskies (4-1) to preserve the win.
It took a second-half spurt for Syracuse to pull out a three-point win over CT in the semifinals.
The reunion comes at a time when both teams are playing fairly well.
I don’t want to make any rash conclusions based on two games against CT and Texas A&M, but it certainly looks like the Orange are better than most of us – myself included – thought they would be. Lydon had 16 points. The attempt got a favorable bounce and dropped through the net.
In the final eight minutes of the first half, MI made one field goal – a dunk.
Not when Rodney Purvis hit three 3s in less than three minutes to cut the lead back to two.
The Connecticut Huskies and Gonzaga Bulldogs will meet up in the Battle 4 Atlantis … but it won’t be for the championship game.
Gbinije made a three for Syracuse and then picked up a loose ball off a lazy turnover by Jones near midcourt. The Huskies also dealt with Trevor Cooney ploughing into the lane and ending up at the free throw line. Daniel Hamilton flirted with a triple-double and finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. They owned a 42-31 rebounding advantage and had five players score in double figures. Tyler Davis and Admon Gilder each chipped in with eight points.
The Orange will now return home to the Dome for their matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers on December 2nd. The Badgers, who started the season ranked #17 in the nation, stand 4-2 on the season with victories over Notre Dame and VCU, but a loss to Georgetown also on their resume. They let CT out-rebound and out-hustle them possession after possession and to make matters worse the Wolverines couldn’t get any of their shots to fall.
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Tip-off is set for 7:15pm Eastern and the game will be televised by ESPN2.
