Syracuse Basketball: Keys to Orange's 2012 NCAA Tournament Run

The Syracuse Orange are one of the best teams in basketball and are poised to make a deep run through the NCAA tournament.

They have the coaching, star players, depth and experience to win it all and only lost one game during the regular season. There's also that Big East tournament loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats to avenge.

Regardless, this is a program that tied with the Kentucky Wildcats for the best record in college basketball in the regular season and a reason why they are still a huge favorite to make it to at least the Final Four in this competition.

Keep reading to see what exactly must happen in order for the Orangemen to win in the 2012 NCAA tournament. 

Superstars Who Must Shine

Kris Joseph

The senior forward has been the most effective player for Syracuse all season long.

He averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals and rounded out his play by shooting threes and making free throws all whilst playing a team-high 31.4 minutes per game during the regular season.

He needs to continue that All-American production during the tournament to help the Orange win when the competition gets fierce.

Scoop Jardine

Jardine is the set-up man on this squad and dished out an impressive 4.9 assists to go along with his solid 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest.

The 6’2” senior guard needs to keep facilitating the offense and getting his teammates involved for the length of the tourney.

Fab Melo

This sophomore phenom is a legit seven-footer and dominates the paint.

He took high percentage shots and pulled down 5.8 rebounds per game and seemed to get better as the year went on.

Now he’s going to have to protect the rim even better than normally (3.1 blocks/game) to push ‘Cuse over the edge. 

Role Player Who Must Emerge

It’s almost unfair to call these two guys role players, as they would start and star on most other squads, but it is what it is when a team is this deep and talented.

Dion Waiters

The sophomore 2-guard has been coming off the bench but playing a ridiculous 23.7 minutes per game, which is a large reason why his production has been so solid.

He’s also second on the team in scoring with 11.9 PPG and chips in a consistent 2.4 RPG, 2.6 APG and 1.9 SPG.

If he can improve on those averages during the length of the tourney, it’s going to be tough to contain the sixth Orange man.

C.J. Fair

The 6’8” forward also came off the pine to play a ton of minutes, and averaged 27.2 a contest—right behind Joseph for most on the team.

It's concerning that he was inserted into the starting lineup during the Big East tournament, considering 'Cuse lost.  

Fair is a huge asset and his play off the bench was a reason for his team's success this season for multiple reasons.

He can play great defense, has a versatile offensive game, rebounds well and is able to finish athletic plays.

This could the tournament where he breaks out and turns into a major star. 

Offensive Strategy to Watch

The Orange are perhaps the most well-rounded team in the nation and do a bit of everything and do it all well.

They play off their defense, which creates a ton of turnovers and look to push the ball in transition.

Besides that, they aren’t picky about shooting threes or pounding it inside and coach Jim Boeheim allows his team to adapt to the situation and do whatever it takes to win. 

Defensive Strategy to Watch

Syracuse loves the 2-3 zone defense.

Boeheim is one of the only elite coaches who prefers to employ the zone rather than man-to-man defense and it’s obviously been successful this season.

The scheme is weak against perimeter scorers, but the athletes on this team have been able to close out and rotate quickly.

However, if a team starts bombing away from deep on them and hitting their shots, they may be forced to make an adjustment.

Biggest NCAA Tournament Hurdle

Syracuse is in a tough bracket with probable matchups against the Vanderbilt Commodores or Wisconsin Badgers and then the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Vandy might be the toughest matchup if they meet in the Sweet 16, as that squad just delivered a knockout blow to Kentucky, the consensus No. 1 team in the nation, in the SEC tournament finals.

If they can get past the Commodores, or get lucky and have them fall prior to the Sweet 16, ‘Cuse will be in good shape to make a Final Four run. 

Last-Second NCAA Tournament Prediction

Syracuse had a great regular season but their performance in the Big East tournament was concerning.

This team may be losing steam at the wrong time and looks bound to be upset somewhat early in the tournament.

Expect them to be knocked out by the Sweet 16 if they draw Vandy or Wisconsin.

It will be another major disappointment for Orange fans everywhere.