Butler vs Syracuse 2010 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Odds, Predictions & Picks: Adopting the role of sports betting odds underdogs for the first time in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, the fifth seeded Butler Bulldogs [+6] get set to dance with the West Region’s top-seeded Syracuse Orange [-6]. One of the Bulldogs’ approaches to this year’s tournament has been not concerning themselves with the seeding nor which team has been the favorite through the first two rounds.
And for the most part, that has worked pretty well does far for head coach Brad Stevens said. “You don’t ever look at the seed or the number next to the team’s name,” Stevens said. “Otherwise, you’ll let that become a factor in your mind.” According to 2010 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Odds, Predictions & Picks specialists at SBGGLOBAL.com, Butler and Syracuse have been projected to combine and score a total of 138½ points in tonight’s OVER/UNDER.
Butler came into the round of 65 as the 5th seed, the highest in school history and has done pretty well as the favorites. In 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, the Bulldogs have managed to reach the regional semifinals one other time before in 2007. Florida eliminated them that year on their way to a National Championship.
“What would you say we need to do to become a legit team? Do you have to get to the Elite Eight?” asked Butler’s leading scorer/rebounder and Horizon League Player of the Year, Gordon Hayward. “I guess it’s up for debate. Obviously somebody—especially the coaches—think we’re a pretty good team.”
For the Orange, this team is trying to get past the regional semifinals for the first time since going all the way in 2003. For Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim one of the biggest challenges is to not allow his team to become complacent with what it has accomplished thus far and begin underestimating opponents . Boeheim understands they’re still a few wins from the ultimate goal.
“I don’t look at conference when you get into the NCAA tournament. The only thing that matters in the NCAA tournament is the teams you’re playing against,” said the Syracuse coach. “They’re as good a team as I’ve seen all year.”
