MBB: Baylor (19-13) vs Syracuse (20-13) Preview & Game Thread

9th seed Baylor (19-13) takes on 8th seed Syracuse (20-13) in Salt Lake City, UT on Thursday March 21st around 8:47pm CST on TruTv.

KenPom Rankings

Syracuse:  35 overall; 61 offensive efficiency; 24 defensive efficiency

Baylor:  41 overall; 28 offensive efficiency; 75 defensive efficiency

Prediction:  Syracuse 68 Baylor 67

Coaches

Syracuse:  Jim Boeheim (74); 947-385; 35 NCAAs; 18 Sweet 16s; 6 Elite 8s; 4 Final 4s; 1 NChamp

Baylor:  Scott Drew (48); 337-218 overall (317-207 at Baylor); 8 NCAAs; 4 Sweet 16s; 2 Elite 8s

Syracuse Starters

PG:  Frank Howard (SR) 6-5 205 lbs; 9 ppg; 3 asst; 2 reb; 36% FG; 34% 3pt; 78% FT

SG:  Tyus Battle (JR) 6-6 205 lbs; 17 ppg; 3 reb; 3 asst; 43% FG; 32% 3pt; 76% FT

SF:  Elijah Hughes (JR); 6-6 215 lbs; 13 ppg; 4 reb; 42% FG; 36% 3pt; 74% FT

PF:  Oshae Brissett (SO); 6-8 215 lbs; 12 ppg; 8 reb; 39% FG; 26% 3pt; 66% FT

C:  Paschal Chukwu (SR) 7-2 230 lbs; 4 ppg; 5 reb; 2 blks; 72% FG; 62% FT

Syracuse Bench

F:  Marek Dolezaj (SO) 6-10 180 lbs; 4 ppg; 4 reb; 2 asst; 56% FG; 37% 3pt; 57% FT

F:  Bourama Sidibe (SO); 6-10 205 lbs; 2 ppg; 3 reb; 46% FG; 40% FT

F:  Buddy Boeheim (FR) 6-5 190 lbs; 7 ppg; 2 reb; 39% FG; 36% 3pt; 77% FT

Baylor Starters

PG:  Makai Mason (SR) 6-1 180 lbs; 15 ppg; 3 reb; 3 asst; 40% FG; 37% 3pt; 83% FT

SG:  Jared Butler (FR) 6-3 185 lbs; 10 ppg; 3 reb; 3 asst; 40% FG; 36% 3pt; 81% FT

SF:  Mario Kegler (SO) 6-7 230 lbs; 11 ppg; 6 reb; 1 blk; 43% FG; 29% 3pt; 65% FT

PF:  Mark Vital (SO) 6-5 230 lbs; 7 ppg; 7 reb; 2 asst; 44% FG; 52% FT

C:  Freddie Gillespie (JR) 6-9 245 lbs; 5 ppg; 5 reb; 1 blk; 64% FG; 53% FT

Baylor Bench

G:  King McClure (SR) 6-3 215 lbs; 9 ppg; 5 reb; 2 asst; 40% FG; 36% 3pt; 67% FT

G:  Devonte Bandoo (JR) 6-3 195 lbs; 9 ppg; 2 reb; 45% FG; 39% 3pt; 90% FT

F:  Matthew Mayer (FR) 6-9 200 lbs; 5 ppg; 2 reb; 32% FG; 31% 3pt; 66% FT

F:  Flo Thamba (FR) 6-11 250 lbs;  2 ppg; 2 reb; 1blk; 54% FG; 53% FT