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The game wasn't supposed to unfold this way. Syracuse was the deeper team. The longer team. The tougher team. The more unified team. But as whistle after whistle pierced the TD Garden air, the fouls first handcuffing stars and then turning rotations into rubble, unexpected things began to happen.
Ohio State's complementary players thrived in the cauldron. Syracuse's starters melted under the late-game heat. The script flipped, and the No. 2 seed denied the 1. Ohio State is headed to New Orleans, 77-70 winners in a regional final defined by the refs but punctuated by the "other" Buckeyes: Smith Jr. Williams. Thompson. Ravenel.
On this night, the Buckeyes were tougher. And deeper. And more together. And their stars noticed.
"Lenzelle [Smith], the bigger the...
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