1. Syracuse
The Orange are 3-0 after beating Maryland for the first time since 2009, snapping a streak of eight-consecutive setbacks to the Terps.
HHH played their most complete, smartest and disciplined game of the Gary Gait coaching era, winning the groundball battle 36-22. They didn’t foul or take bad shots, they didn’t go offsides, didn’t taunt or showboat after scoring goals. They fought. They ran hard. They defended and attacked. Their clock management and situational awareness was upgraded. They just rolled up their sleeves and proved to be the tougher team. They earned it. And their fans loved it.
The close defense and righty point guard Joey Spallina starred. This was Joey’s best performance to date. He was laser focused. He had a low turnover ratio. He shot the ball well. He was a coach on the field. He set his teammates up. He hustled and set the tone by scooping up five grounders. He managed the game and the shot clock. He understood how to attack the Maryland defense. He put it all together on a memorable night in the Dome.
Middie Wyatt Hottle was outstanding early in the game, disrespected by a shorty and no slide. He made the Terps pay.
10,159 fans shelled out $38 a ticket for a general admission seat in the Dome. The place was rocking. The inevitable rematch with Maryland looms in May. So Syracuse must continue to improve, to evolve and move forward. The SU shorties appear upgraded with Jake Spallina, Dante Bowen and Jayden Kittelberger. The young midfielders have enormous upside — Matt McIntee and Bogue Hahn will gain confidence and can run by defenders. Tyler McCarthy nailed a corner and can be a big-time two-way impact player.
Otto begins a six-game road swing at Harvard on Feb. 21. The Orange will face the Crimson, Princeton, Penn, Johns Hopkins, Air Force and Denver during the lengthy road trip.
Success breeds complacency. Beware.
