NCAA Tournament Bracket: No. 3 Syracuse vs. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin

by Elizabeth Fairview  |  March 18th, 2009
Syracuse Orange
Usually the focus is on the biggest players on the court, but when the Syracuse Orange and Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks meet up on Friday, all eyes will be on the point guards. (AP Images)

Stephen F. Austin PG Eric Bell is just 5-foot-3, yet he dished out a season-high nine assists in the Southland Conference tourney championship game to help the Lumberjacks earn an NCAA bid. Bell now gets to square off with one of the nation’s top point guards in Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn.

The Orange, who are 12.5-point favorites, haven’t made it past the first round of the NCAA tournament since 2004. A four-game winning streak to end the regular season has many feeling the Orange are ready for a tourney run.

The Lumberjacks, making their first NCAA appearance, play solid defense, especially on the perimeter. SFA needs to control the tempo and have the game finish in the 60s if they’re to pull off a first-round upset.

 
 
 

 

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