Creature vs. Creature Sweet 16 Showdown: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Syracuse Orange

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The South Regional Semifinal will pin second seeded Oklahoma against third seeded Syracuse. The tip-off in Memphis is set for Friday at 7:27 p.m. EST

The 27-5 Sooners knocked off Morgan State in the opening round 82-54 and took care of business against Michigan in the second round, 73-63. Syracuse hasn't won quite as easily, thumping Stephen F. Austin by a 59-44 score before sneaking by Arizona State, 78-67.

Andrew Bailer fills us in about Oklahoma while Jameson Fleming provides the info on the 'Cuse.

Oklahoma's Offensive Game Plan

Strong guard-play:  Austin Johnson and Willie Warren need to shoot well from outside the perimeter.  When the Sooners won 11 consecutive conference games, their guards shot around 40 percent from beyond the three-point line.  Johnson and Warren need to step up against the Syracuse 2-3 zone and hit big shots when called upon. The Naismith Trophy finalist, Blake Griffin cannot beat the Orange by himself.

As a whole, the Sooners need to effectively read the double-teams Blake Griffin will face in order to get everyone involved including the elder Griffin, Taylor.  Oklahoma must get the ball inside to Blake in order to open up the floor for the other offensive weapons.  The Sooners must be smart with their passing in order to avoid turnovers against the Orange's zone defense.

Syracuse's Offensive Game Plan

Get everybody involved: The 'Cuse features six players that can change and even win a game with their offense. Super sophomore Jonny Flynn will beat defenders off the dribble to take the ball to the paint will he can facilitate or finish, but the point guard has also shown the ability to cross a man over to stop and pop a jumper.

Junior Eric Devendorf can also get to the lane easily and is a better finisher than Flynn, but also knocks down the long range bomb frequently and efficiently (80 threes made, 40 percent overall). Fellow guard Andy Rautins will come off the bench as a long range threat; he's essentially a very poor man's J.J. Redick.

Paul Harris hits the glass hard, but also has a solid mid-range jump shot and can take the ball to the hoop occasionally.

In the post, Jim Boeheim has two tanks that simply never miss around the basket. Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson both finished in the top five in field goal percentage in the Big East.

With all those weapons, Boeheim basically lets the offense run freely. He gives Flynn the command to get everyone his shots and get everyone on track.

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