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Attacking Syracuse's suffocating zone defense in the first half with 3-pointers, crisp passing and a fearless attitude, Michigan advanced to the national championship game with a 61-56 victory over the Orange in the Final Four on Saturday night.

Joe Lunardi discusses Michigan's path to the Final Four, and its chances of solving Syracuse's zone defense....

Syracuse has advanced to the Final Four in large part to its outstanding zone defense. Just how good have the Orange been on defense this postseason? The numbers below provide a good illustration. Lowest Opponents' FG Pct NCAA Tournament...

Syracuse's zone defense has the been the MVP of its run to the Final Four. Why is it so successful? It starts with the players' length and speed, which have combined to devastate opponents in the NCAA tournament.

Michigan guard Tim Hardaway Jr. talks about how the Wolverines' offense has come alive over the past couple of games, discusses taking on a leadership role on the squad, the youth on the roster and how the club will attack Syracuse's zone defense on ...

Rece Davis, Seth Greenberg, Jay Bilas and Dick Vitale discuss whether Michigan can handle Syracuse's zone defense....

ESPN CBB analyst Seth Greenberg covers the Orange's zone defense, Kevin Ware's injury, Wichita State-Louisville, Michigan-Syracuse and more. Greenberg ESPN MLB analyst Curt Schilling shares his thoughts on the Yankees' injuries, his expectations fo...

• Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim comments on Kevin Ware's injury, the Orange's zone defense, preparing to face Michigan in the Final Four and more. Boeheim • ESPN New York 98.7 FM's Stephen A. Smith covers the Final Four, Kevin Ware's injur...

Using its trapping, shot-challenging 2-3 zone defense to perfect effect, No. 4-seeded Syracuse shut down No. 3 Marquette 55-39 in the East Regional final Saturday, reaching the Final Four for the first time in a decade.

With its 2-3 zone defense disruptive from start to finish and Michael Carter-Williams pouring in 24 points, fourth-seeded Syracuse upset No. 1 seed Indiana 61-50 on Thursday night to reach the NCAA tournament's East Regional final.

Joslyn Tinkle made a career-high five 3-pointers on the way to 21 points in her final home game at Maples Pavilion, and Stanford used a spectacular perimeter shooting performance to rout No. 8 seed Michigan 73-40 on Tuesday night.

C.J. Fair scored 18 points, James Southerland added 14 and fourth-seeded Syracuse survived a second-half drought of more than 12 minutes without a field goal to beat No. 12 seed California 66-60 on Saturday night and advance to the round of 16.

California-Syracuse Preview

Brandon Triche scored 20 points, C.J. Fair added 13 and fourth-seeded Syracuse shut down No. 13 seed Montana with its zone defense in an 81-34 victory in the second round of the NCAA tournament Thursday night.

Alabama's defense was No. 1 last season even with a few flaws, a testament to Nick Saban and Kirby Smart's system. This spring, they'll try to improve it.

Bradford Doolittle says that better ball movement, fewer isolations and more zone defense will lead to future success for the Knicks.

Story | Conversation | March 07, 2013