Preview: South Region, No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 3 Syracuse Orange

No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Syracuse

Friday, 7:27

The Sooners are still alive in large part because of Player of the Year candidate Blake Griffin, a 6-foot-10 sophomore forward who tallied a combined 61 points in the first two rounds. But against Syracuse's 2-3 zone defense -- one that includes two physical post players -- Griffin's efforts alone likely won't be enough. Oklahoma shoots 35.6 percent from three-point range and will need freshman guard Willie Warren, the Sooners' top long-range marksman, to have a big night. If Oklahoma can't knock down threes, it will be up to Griffin and his brother, Taylor, to hit jump shots from the free throw line, the only other soft spot in the zone.

Syracuse is an even weaker three-point shooting squad (34.6 percent), but the Orange have five players who average double digits in scoring. Sophomore guard Jonny Flynn is Syracuse's top offensive threat, though junior Eric Devendorf possesses a flair for the dramatic that makes him worth watching. If Flynn and Devendorf find their rhythm early, Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim will be in good position to tally his 800th career victory.

-- Steve Yanda