Former New Jersey Stars Front And Center At Syracuse's Hunt For An NCAA Title

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Syracuse is the center of the college basketball universe this weekend, and the men and women can join UConn as the only program to win the National Championship in the same season.

As CBS2's Otis Livingston reported, they have some New Jersey connections that could go a long way in making that happen.

Before Tyler Roberson and Malachai Richardson were leading Syracuse to the Final Four they were teammates at Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey, leading the Lions to a state title, and Tournament of Champions crown in 2013.

"Tyler was the New Jersey Player of the Year. Malachai was a sophomore that year. I wasn't sure how good he was going to be at that level but he was absolutely tremendous" coach Dave Boff said.

Richardson scored 21 second half points in the Elite 8 win over Virginia.

His former coach had seen that before in the Tournament of Champions final.

"Malachai hit a 25-foot three, and then a step back three from the corner and it was  almost exactly the shot that he hit from the right side of the court in the game the other night and I remember thinking 'that's just what he does' he makes big shots when his team needs it the most," Boff said.

Maplewood's Columbia High School basketball coach Jazmin Wright played four years at Syracuse, making the NCAA Tournament in 2003, her final year. She takes extra pride in seeing another Essex County player Brittany Sykes star in the Orange.

"Watching her develop throughout high school and now at Syracuse, and now she has the opportunity to play in the Final Four, it's been great not only being that Jersey connection to Syracuse, but to our county and our state," Wright said.

The ultimate goal is to win the National Championship, and these three players have the chance to do just that.

"I know that Syracuse University would be crazy," Wright said.

"We just hope they are able to get two more wins and cut down the nets. No matter what happens to reach the Final Four has given us a tremendous sense of pride," Boff said.

The men have the longest odds in the Final Four, they will face number 1 seed North Carolina in the semifinal on Saturday night. The women will face seventh seed Washington on Sunday. Neither game will be easy.

UConn pulled off the double twice in 2004 and 2014.