Duke Gameday...

[cuselaxss26]

believe jimmy had like 10 saves in first half. So tho he did bail them out don’t think he had ton of saves in second half. More importantly think the offense has been the problem. Gotta score goals to win .

 

[Bayside44]

Good question. I’d guess next year he might be told it’s Championship Weekend or bust. Feels like that should be the bare minimum expectation given the Spallina recruiting class. Would love for it to happen this season but that feels unlikely.

Curious if Jeremy or others have insight on how long his leash might be

What's the alternative - hire Galloway?

The difference in talent with all these teams is pretty minimal unless there's a CJ Kirst out there.

 

[cusefan88]

Even though college lacrosse is significantly stronger compared to 20 years ago, Syracuse is to legendary of a program to not make the Final Four once every certain amount of years.

I do think it's reasonable (especially with the junior class) to make that the goal for Gait to keep his job after next season if they don't achieve that this season.

 

[Bayside44]

Even though college lacrosse is significantly stronger compared to 20 years ago, Syracuse is to legendary of a program to not make the Final Four once every certain amount of years.

I do think it's reasonable (especially with the junior class) to make that the goal for Gait to keep his job after next season if they don't achieve that this season.

This sport is just way too variable. A bad day at the dot, a couple of dumb turnovers, pipe and whistle is the difference in so many of these games.

I agree it would be a great disappointment if this junior class never makes it to Memorial Day weekend.

 

[wgdsr]

i do have a question if anyone has speculation. what does 2027 look like for cuse with knowns and incoming now that 25s and 26s are mostly committed? obvious qualifiers on hs >> college and guys emerging from team now, portal.
att: anderson, deere, ???
mid: mccarthy, ???
lsm: kuczinski (sp)
d: dwan, figueras, ???
g: mccool vs an incoming?

 

[cusefan88]

This sport is just way too variable. A bad day at the dot, a couple of dumb turnovers, pipe and whistle is the difference in so many of these games.

I agree it would be a great disappointment if this junior class never makes it to Memorial Day weekend.

Yeah 100% I agree. My comment is definitely driven by the large amount of talent the team should have returning next year.

 

[cuselaxss26]

They need someone with that killer instinct. They have the talent clearly n the skill. What they lack is the heart with killer instinct. Someone out there just causing choas n all over the field. Someone to spark some fire deep down inside each player. Someone to remind them why they fell in love with the game in first place. Also the confidence to play knowing can beat anyone anywhere anytime. No matter if down 1 or 10 to fully believe you can n will come back to win. When make poor play on next one make sure ur going 110% to make up for it.

Can see this team thrives on momentum but struggle to create their own when things going not their way. Can see heads getting down sideline gets quite. Someone’s anyone has to start the spark the fire. Player or coach someone needs to show some emotion. Seems have done the laid back let players play not get in their faces all year n hasn’t done much. Now try to get little bit in faces at times don’t gotta go full 100. But least give a simply nudge in the behind to get their stuff together. Just to soft on both ends of field. Watch to many times we have 3 guys to even 1 or 2 of other teams for gb just for other team to get it. If out number them two take body n shield last guy gets ball.

Also i feel coaches should least teach to point their O guys getting back on d n playing little bit. Just have guys running off n other team get easy clear or able to get fast or even slow break as we are subbing n not sprinting to hole when does happen. Again think this teams problem is hustle n just all out going full 100% effort on every single play. Swinging to much for sticks not taking body giving to much space not in oppts face or hands. Also to many times we are sliding to our long poles when their not beat or good angle n slide is slow n half ass.

Don’t know what needs to happen or how to fix problem. But think starts with captains and upperclassman have to give full effort to show rest of team this is what needs to happen. As said team was down 7 n just no urgency or picking up the pace. Hopefully they turn it around. Will be there next week on dome so hope it’s a trip well worth it.

 

[Powellfan]

i do have a question if anyone has speculation. what does 2027 look like for cuse with knowns and incoming now that 25s and 26s are mostly committed? obvious qualifiers on hs >> college and guys emerging from team now, portal.
att: anderson, deere, ???
mid: mccarthy, ???
lsm: kuczinski (sp)
d: dwan, figueras, ???
g: mccool vs an incoming?

My favorite pastime.

Attack: Anderson, Deere. You’d have five star Peck but he’s also a lefty. My guess is either Meyer or OFarrell
Mid: McCarthy, Hottle. You have Hahn and Rawson as sophs. Rayfield as a frosh
LSM: Kuczynski, Filardi if he sticks with lax. Maybe D’Agostino
Defense. Dwan would be gone. Figuerias would be a senior. Scott? Jayden James? Stephens?
Goalie: McCool
Fogo: Mullen.

That’s my best guess.

 

[FloridaCuse]

In his latest article on Syracuse.com titled "Syracuse lacrosse still controls its own NCAA Tournament fate despite loss to Duke" [article is posted in the Duke Postgame articles and videos Thread] Brent Axe quotes Gary using the words "hoping" and "hopeful" and refers to Gary as being "steadfast in his measured and positive approach to coaching" the team. Brent seems skeptical. In his article he refers to Gary as "Mr. Sunshine" and in his mid-week press conference as looking "for the sunshine in the clouds".

After reviewing the game, in the postgame press conference Brent questioned Gary about the future and quotes Gary: “The opportunity is in front of us, you know,” Gait said. “We win this week. Win the practices every day and we got an opportunity to take care of business next weekend. And, you know, we forget about this one and move on.”

Brent then ends his article with this:

"We’ll see if Gait’s positive approach ends up with him smiling in the postseason or whistling past the graveyard."

This doesn't sound optimistic.

 

[Willy75]

How long a leash does Gait have?

Realistically I'd say at least 3-4 more years unless we have back to back losing seasons.

 

[FloridaCuse]

Question about the team: Does anyone know whether the players on this team are particularly close personally? While we can fix some responsibility on the coaching staff, there also may be something missing among the players as a group. As others have said on here, they have talent but they seem to be missing Heart, Head, and Hustle. Urgency, intention, and confidence also seem to be missing. Not necessarily something you'd find on a team with a close bond. It also may be due to coming into this season with such high expectations (having great talent and ranked #2 preseason) that not only did they have thoughts about the final four but also about winning the national championship. These high expectations may have been dashed by the loss at Maryland and then the debacle at home against Harvard. While the team has shown great energy, intention, and confidence at times since (especially the first half vs. ND), at other times they seem to be sleepwalking through the game. Maybe they've lost their spirit along with their preseason great expectations and at times (too many times) are just playing out the season. A lack of playing with confidence seems to be particularly missing too often on offense.

I may not be articulating this well but I wanted to throw this out here to see if anyone who knows the players and the team has any insights on this. In Gary's first year as head coach I had been told by a reliable source that some thought he had lost the locker room midway through the season. Does anyone have any sense that could be happening again? Thanks very much for any thoughts on this. Go Orange!

 

[GrowTheGame]

What's the alternative - hire Galloway?

The difference in talent with all these teams is pretty minimal unless there's a CJ Kirst out there.

Bring Chemotti back to the 315 (who constantly competes with a “mid-major,” or take a flyer on Kirwan based on his success would be my suggestion

 

[SULAXAHOLIC]

In his latest article on Syracuse.com titled "Syracuse lacrosse still controls its own NCAA Tournament fate despite loss to Duke" [article is posted in the Duke Postgame articles and videos Thread] Brent Axe quotes Gary using the words "hoping" and "hopeful" and refers to Gary as being "steadfast in his measured and positive approach to coaching" the team. Brent seems skeptical. In his article he refers to Gary as "Mr. Sunshine" and in his mid-week press conference as looking "for the sunshine in the clouds".

After reviewing the game, in the postgame press conference Brent questioned Gary about the future and quotes Gary: “The opportunity is in front of us, you know,” Gait said. “We win this week. Win the practices every day and we got an opportunity to take care of business next weekend. And, you know, we forget about this one and move on.”

Brent then ends his article with this:

"We’ll see if Gait’s positive approach ends up with him smiling in the postseason or whistling past the graveyard."

This doesn't sound optimistic.

Brent axe is the worst lacrosse analyst on the planet

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Brent axe is the worst lacrosse analyst on the planet UNIVERSE

FIFY

 

[JeremyCuse]

Good question. I’d guess next year he might be told it’s Championship Weekend or bust. Feels like that should be the bare minimum expectation given the Spallina recruiting class. Would love for it to happen this season but that feels unlikely.

Curious if Jeremy or others have insight on how long his leash might be

He will absolutely be back next year even if they lost out. However, if the team failed to at least get to the final four next year I think he would be in trouble. The expectations for this year were coming from everywhere even the top. Failure to at minimum Match last years qtr finals appearance this year is not gonna go over well at all.

 

[tbonezone]

got to watch the highlights this morning
duke attack abused our shorties. this was a down year for the blue devils.
major loss.

 

[tbonezone]

I may not be articulating this well but I wanted to throw this out

ok you say we're "missing Heart, Head, and Hustle " then next sentence tag on also lacking " Urgency, intention, and confidence " further down your post you replace "urgency" with "energy , intention and confidence."
perhaps this sense of urgent energy you're feeling FOREIGNER says it best :

You play tricks on my mind
You're everywhere, but you're so hard to find
You're not warm or sentimental
You're so extreme, you can be so temperamental
next game...it's an urgent , urgent emergency

 

[tbonezone]

What they lack is the heart with killer instinct.

one of my high school coaches gave me this book. hardcover. i don't think i ever read it thru. i was more of a julius erving fan in 1975. but i got the message.

 

[cuselaxss26]

View attachment 251377

one of my high school coaches gave me this book. hardcover. i don't think i ever read it thru. i was more of a julius erving fan in 1975. but i got the message.

Never read this book and prob won’t. Tho did kinda read some comments on what book is bout. Most said bout making winning super serious n treating other team as enemies or something like that. Not saying have to make winning everything or treating other team bad. More killer instinct that i ment is going all out playing as hard as you possibly can. Even on simple gb with no one round you sprinting thru it n going. When cut or moving off ball going full speed. Just non stop effort full effort all day everyday. Not saying have to go take heads off or play dirty. But play to best of your abilities n potential. Going full speed on every play. Getting guys hype on even little things. Winning isn’t everything but it is important. It’s competitive sports n play for chip so play like a champion every single second n every play. Make a mistake don’t put head down move on n go make a play. I’m sure guys know guys on other teams maby even friends. But when you touch the field don’t see them as friend see them as opponents n goal is to beat that opponent. After game can go back to being buddies.

Just doesn’t make sense how some teams don’t have the talent we clearly have yet seem to play at higher level then us or least look like it. Syracuse isn’t selfish with ball but don’t think they play for each other if that makes sense? Mean not going all out for urself but for ur teammates. Sometimes just feel some our guys know there’s more lax for them after college so kinda just another game for them. Where some players after cuse may not ever play again or ever play at higher level. This is their chance to leave a lasting impression behind. Something can say “hey i was on that team n we won chip or did this”. Prob not explaining myself correctly but just my personal opinion feel they don’t play with there no toma every game. As leave it all on the field. Don’t go home thinking “if only put little bit more effort here or if only i hustle there”.

If guys are truely giving it everything they possibly can n still isn’t good enough i’m ok with that. But i don’t think that has happen. Plus always wanna improve and get better. That ring true for everything in life. Always learn n thrive to get better. Yet we seem to be getting worst at times. Everyone has off games no doubt. But we have had few off games. Don’t recall being able to say for single game that everyone was on point at same time. Meaning faceoffs goalie offense and defense all did their part together. Usually half are doing their part but some arnt. Gonna take whole team to be on point n be on together to get where i’m sure they wanna go and where all their fans want them to go.

Forgive it’s easter and just lost to duke so i’m still little upset prob rumbling nonsense. Either way Happy easter everyone!

 

[DMVCuseLax]

We have had issues with injuries on the offensive end this year. Makes it tough to have consistency when guys are sitting out. Birt - Hiltz - Leo - Thomson - Rhoa have all been hurt.

I know Hiltz sat out this past week and wasn’t supposed to play. Not sure why he played but he was clearly hurt along with Leo. Should have let some other get a run instead of going with hurt guys.

 

[Powellfan]

He will absolutely be back next year even if they lost out. However, if the team failed to at least get to the final four next year I think he would be in trouble. The expectations for this year were coming from everywhere even the top. Failure to at minimum Match last years qtr finals appearance this year is not gonna go over well at all.

It's lacrosse, so coaches are only fired if things have completely gone south (Hopkins with Petro, Maryland with Cottle, UNC with John Haus ... or controversy (Duke with Pressler). There aren't a lot of "pro-active" firings. A team with high expectations with a coach who hasn't proven himself quite yet. If this were college football or basketball, then Gait might need to be worried, but it just doesn't happen in this sport.

Such a strange point in the season ... if they beat UNC and "win" the ACC, it feels like our understanding of the team really changes. I think they would get a seed in the tournament. If they lose and finish with a three game losing streak to end the regular season, then all bets are off the sky will feel like it's falling. We shall see what happens ...

 

[Powellfan]

We have had issues with injuries on the offensive end this year. Makes it tough to have consistency when guys are sitting out. Birt - Hiltz - Leo - Thomson - Rhoa have all been hurt.

I know Hiltz sat out this past week and wasn’t supposed to play. Not sure why he played but he was clearly hurt along with Leo. Should have let some other get a run instead of going with hurt guys.

hindsight 20/20 but if you're going to lose, and risk the health of your best player at the same time ... yikes. Just take the L and regroup for UNC with a fully rested and ready to go team in the Dome. Have to hope everyone is healthy next week or this Duke loss will feel like two instead of one. Easy to say from my couch, but man it's frustrating if this loss impacts next week in terms of player's health.

 

[JeremyCuse]

It's lacrosse, so coaches are only fired if things have completely gone south (Hopkins with Petro, Maryland with Cottle, UNC with John Haus ... or controversy (Duke with Pressler). There aren't a lot of "pro-active" firings. A team with high expectations with a coach who hasn't proven himself quite yet. If this were college football or basketball, then Gait might need to be worried, but it just doesn't happen in this sport.

Such a strange point in the season ... if they beat UNC and "win" the ACC, it feels like our understanding of the team really changes. I think they would get a seed in the tournament. If they lose and finish with a three game losing streak to end the regular season, then all bets are off the sky will feel like it's falling. We shall see what happens ...

That holds true for most teams but Syracuse is an outlier. Keep in mind when Desko "Retired" he had just swept the eventual national champs (UVA) and had made the tourney for the umpteenth time in a row. SU lax has major expectations from not only the fanbase but the ADs office. If this team hasn't reached a final four by year 5, he's gonna be in major trouble especially with the talent and preseason expectations this and next year.

 

[Powellfan]

That holds true for most teams but Syracuse is an outlier. Keep in mind when Desko "Retired" he had just swept the eventual national champs (UVA) and had made the tourney for the umpteenth time in a row. SU lax has major expectations from not only the fanbase but the ADs office. If this team hasn't reached a final four by year 5, he's gonna be in major trouble especially with the talent and preseason expectations this and next year.

I wasn’t sure how to categorize Desko to be honest. How much did the Scanlon fiasco have to do with his “retirement”? It seemed halfway between “things have fallen apart” and controversy.

Also last point, and I’m getting way ahead of myself, but if this teams losses a first round playoff game (or misses the tournament completely) how many key players hit the portal? Especially those with one season left and want to make a final four before their career’s end? Already had an issue with Spallina last offseason. Just another something to worry about.

 

[FloridaCuse]

I wasn’t sure how to categorize Desko to be honest. How much did the Scanlon fiasco have to do with his “retirement”? It seemed halfway between “things have fallen apart” and controversy.

Also last point, and I’m getting way ahead of myself, but if this teams losses a first round playoff game (or misses the tournament completely) how many key players hit the portal? Especially those with one season left and want to make a final four before their career’s end? Already had an issue with Spallina last offseason. Just another something to worry about.

Agree with your second paragraph. I've been concerned about that. Also concerned if we lose in the quarterfinals again and don't play well. If we make the NCAAT but don't a home game, our 1st round game could be at Penn St., especially if Army doesn't have a home game either. PSU looked very tough against Rutgers Friday night. Even if we lose next week & in the ACCT tournament semis, we might still "back into" the NCAAT because no other bubble team has a better case, as per Mark Hart's chart you posted last night in the other Thread.