My highly untrained opinion of this is that Syracuse allows teams to shoot 3s from just a bit further outside of the 3-point line than they’re accustomed to. This isn’t the NBA and they’re not playing Steph Curry, and so that extra distance could cause teams to struggle.
But I’m open to being told otherwise.
I agree — I think the difference was being able to pass out of the middle, instead of trying to pass around the edge, which is what most teams have to do. (See: way too many awful possessions against the zone in years that Michigan hasn’t had a seven-footer who can pass).
And, yes, either Franz or Hunter could play there, because Franz’s long arms would allow him to make some of the same passes that Hunter can. 
Unlike many other teams that occassioanlly play zone, Syracuse 2-3 zone has depth of variations, adjustments that good systems have.
Just like playing playing man to man isn’t only about sticking to your man and there are variations on ball screen coverage, different hedges, help defense concepts, traps or no traps, etc, by solely focusing on zone, Syracuse can recruit for it and teach it so that those types of adjustments within the 2-3 zone comes naturally to their players.
So I wouldn’t say that Syracuse is being lazy or cocky. I’m sure they scout and game plan their defense against their opponents just as much as any other team, except that they do so within their zone concepts.
As some said above, it’s like teams that run triple option. Despite how it may look, there are many plays that can be run out of the triple option system, and good option play caller adjusts to how the defense reacts, even if most of them look identical to the casual observers in alignment and initial snap.
OK, these insurance commercials have convinced me. I’m going to switch to Allstate and save $700. Then I’ll switch to Progressive and save $700. Then I’ll switch to GEICO and save 15%. Then I’ll switch to State Farm and save hundreds. And then I switch back too Allstate and start over.
I figure in a few days, my car insurance will have dropped to about negative $50,000 / year. 
And to my untrained eye it seems that Houston has had to squeeze their 3’s up pretty quickly. The way that Syracuse runs their zone it seems that there is always someone pretty close to a shooter for a closeout.
Programming note: the 2018 FSU game is on BTN at 11:30.
Interesting, found this article on some of the variations Syracuse uses in its zone depending upon opponent strength… and it happens to be from the week leading up to the 2013 game, pulling screencaps from their NCAA tournament run up to that point. We break down the Syracuse 2-3 zone because the Orange's opponents haven't been able to - syracuse.com
Hmm, apparently the guide was wrong.
He did just shove him. Refs taking over this game for Syracuse. Annoying.
Just an ugly game. If Buddy Boeheim can get hot this might be interesting but otherwise it looks like UH will slowly pull away.
I have switched to Shark Tank
Oh, now our 2018 game is on BTN
Did Girard really think he was going to block that shot?
I’ve switched to that. It’s kinda crazy seeing Beilein on the bench because it somehow still feels so… right. Like I thought it would be weird, but it’s not.
Joe Girard with a wild drive to the hoop, just like it was drawn up!
Every year, all the other teams in the tournament should get a gift or a card or something for the team that eliminates Syracuse that year.
Syracuse with 13 made baskets tonight. Just a visual masterpiece
Also weird to watch Livers wearing #4.
2018 FSU gave us fits with that length. Tomorrow’s probably going to be a tough watch, but hopefully a similar ending.
Matthews was so awesome in that game. I had completely forgotten.
On seeing this again, I’d forgotten just how poorly Michigan shot. They missed open look after open look.
If the shots fall tomorrow, Michigan should cruise.