MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The sweat wasn't dry on Oklahoma's jerseys after its victory over Michigan on Sunday before the first questions surfaced about Syracuse's zone defense.

Sooners coach Jeff Capel gets it going into tonight's South Regional semifinal.

"They play zone and they are really good at it," Capel said. "We don't want to go in overthinking this thing.

"We feel if we can execute what we want to do and do a good job defensively and get good shots – hopefully making shots – then we'll be in pretty good position. But it will be a tremendous challenge."

Because of Blake Griffin, the Sooners have played against almost every defensive scheme known to basketball. Michigan played a 1-3-1 zone last week.

In fact, Griffin doesn't think the Orange's famed 2-3 zone will be any better at keeping the Sooners from scoring than a man-to-man defense – if they play smart.

"As long as you pick and choose your spots well and find open areas, and your guards get you the ball in the right spot, it might be easier," said Griffin.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim calls Griffin the best big man the Orange (28-9) will face this season.

"If he hadn't gotten hurt, they'd be a No. 1 seed, which would've been good. We wouldn't have had to play him," Boeheim said.

But there's more to Syracuse than its vaunted zone defense. The Orange was the top-scoring team in the Big East. Led by dynamic point guard Jonny Flynn (17.3 ppg) and backcourt mate Eric Devendorf (15.9 ppg), four players average double figures in scoring.

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Oklahoma's Blake Griffin has received plenty of media attention and should have Syracuse's attention on Friday.

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"They can really, really score," Capel said. "They're a great transition offense team, they can shoot it from 3, and they have a dynamic playmaker in Flynn who sets the table for everyone."

Sooners point guard Austin Johnson is expected to draw the initial defensive assignment on Flynn, although Capel said he'll probably throw several players at Flynn during the game.

"He's a great point guard," Johnson said. "One of the best ones we've played this year. And he's a lot better than most of the guys I've gone against in my career.

"But we talk all the time about the fact that defense is going to win the game for us."

OU guard Tony Crocker, mired in a shooting slump, has drawn praise for his defensive play – most notably against Michigan guard Manny Harris five days ago.

"Keeping them from getting open looks is going to go a long way toward keeping things contained," Crocker said. "We're ready to play against their zone. It's all about how we can stop them."

No less an authority than Flynn offered his insight as to what makes Syracuse successful.

"Well," he said, "we just try to outscore people."

The Associated Press contributed to this report