OrangeXtreme
The Mayor of Dewitt
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We're getting closer and closer to setting the field, and while Colgate and Syracuse are now safely in the clubhouse for the NCAA tournament, there were other results over the weekend that reshuffled the deck for the selection committee. Johns Hopkins dramatically improved its resume with a win over Maryland, but Yale and Ohio State both suffered upset losses. The Bulldogs and Buckeyes have spent time in the top 10 this season, but could now be playing must-win games in their conference tournament openers.
To me, the two most intriguing questions for the committee will be who gets the eight seed and what power program falls to four or five and has to deal with traveling to Denver for a quarterfinal showdown with the Pioneers. If Cornell wins the Ivy tournament, it could be rewarded by hosting Albany, and look for Duke to have a potential rematch with Denver in the quarters. Now if Maryland loses to Ohio State ...
Syracuse 15, Duke 14
This was a ball game that Cuse fans thought was a thing of the past, but the Orange showed their mettle by winning a close game despite skittish team defense and losing the faceoff battle.
After Friday night's win over North Carolina, Syracuse coach John Desko told Paul Carcaterra on the field that having Ben Williams dominate at the X means you don't have to be as efficient on offense and can play with more freedom because you are going to get the ball back. That was not the case in the title game, as Duke won 21-of-32. The Orange had to turn the clock back all the way to 2013 and 2014 when they played through the faceoff disadvantage.
And it was the best "first six" in college lacrosse leading the way. Kevin Rice was the tournament MVP with a three-goal, four-assist performance, and Nicky Galasso, Hakeem Lecky, Randy Staats and Dylan Donahue were all major factors, combining for a total of 12 points.
http://laxmagazine.com/college_men/...weekend_makes_it_hard_for_selection_committee
