the consensus no. 2 ranking is dangerous for a team that hasn't been to the final four let alone a title game in over a decade and is short in senior leadership relative to some other teams...they need to handle the pressure and expectations well...no reason to expect they wont but it's a lot for a team to handle when they havent been there before...with all respect to hiltz no one has ever accused him of being an inspiring leader so some of these other seniors and grad students need to step up and set the tone...we will see...personally i would temper expectations slightly and put them closer to 4 or 5 but who knows...the pundits could be onto something
Well, it's certainly more welcome than the past few years when the team was in the wilderness. The team should be ready for it, the leaders came in as the Number 1 ranked recruiting class, and they came to Syracuse after all. If they didn't want pressure, then go somewhere else.
I feel a little vindicated for ranking SU on my own preseason list (who ultimately cares what I think), but it's still also a little surreal to see the two most highly respected lacrosse publications agree. Syracuse brings back a lot of really good players, and unlike other teams, aren't trying to re-invent the wheel. It's interesting since there are teams that bring back a lot but didn't make the tournament last year (or flamed out early) including most of the Ivy's (Penn, Princeton, Yale, Cornel). Teams that are kind of remaking themselves on the fly (Duke, Maryland, to some extent UVA). Syracuse and Notre Dame are kind of unique examples. Both have work to do, but bring back a ton of talent. I think SU brings back a bit more, but it's fair to give Notre Dame the benefit of the doubt given their recent history. Interesting also that neither did a ton of work in the portal and both are replacing goalies.
As for SU I had two big concerns before the transfer period kicked off - SSDM play and an additional attacking option. They brought in a little known SSDM from St John's and that was about it for the first concern. That said, they bring back pretty much everyone else from last year including two starters in Rice and LeVine. I would feel better if they had brought in someone else (especially since there were so many options out there), but if roster size really was a concern, I can understand the thinking. You have to hope there will be a jump from the younger players, and maybe a mystery player emerges.
As for the second concern, I'm not sure there was a sure thing starter out there that would have fit in with the Orange. Hackett from Bryant is the first that comes to mind, but really the Orange needed a right handed attackman who would have complimented Spallina. I could be wrong but I don't know if that player was out there. And taking guys just to take them, when you already have so many mouths to feed, could have backfired in regards to chemistry.
Anyways, all teams next year will have things to work on, Syracuse just feels like one that doesn't have a ton. Lot's of pressure sure, but it's better to be in this position than not.
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