Princeton Gameday...

[FloridaCuse]

Some general thoughts about our team:
- Obviously the last 2 games have been a major disappointment and a letdown. Not as much that they lost but the way they played. Even though they only lost to Harvard by 1 goal, they didn't look like they played well.
- Against Princeton, and some against Harvard, the offense looked out of sync. Little energy, agressiveness or cohesion. They've almost stopped passing the ball around. Do they not know what to do, or just not executing what to do? Have they lost confidence? Are they playing like they're looking for Joey to take care of it?
- It's been mentioned elsewhere on here, is there any leadership among the players? The last two years I think it was Jake Stevens and Sam English who took on that role. Two Princeton guys. Are they waiting for Joey to it? I don't see him as that kind of person who would. [Jake is more likely the Spallina who would.]
- I think it was two years ago that a number of us here questioned whether GG is a good coach. That's obviously on the table again. Does he actually coach, or is he just a CEO?
- If Gary doesn't actually coach I wonder if that is being used against us in recruiting. Given his history he should be drawing young players who want to play for him. But I wonder if it's just the opposite.
- One thing I'll pass along that I posted a few years ago - when he was hired I know (2nd hand but from a very reliable source) that many Syr lax alums did not think it was a good idea (to say the least). And I don't get a sense he's necessarily liked by other coaches. Just from when people are around him. Does anyone else have any info about this?
- I know it's early and like they did last year the team can turn it around. But does this team have the drive that it takes to do that? Concerning. The Penn game will be a key test. And Hopkins after that. They can either turn the season around or it could go further south fast. Here's hoping it's the former. Go Orange!!!

 

[Powellfan]

I'll happily defer to those who are more knowledgeable but it seems to me that the team's current concept of "positionless offense" is having some severe growing pains. I say that as we plug Thomson first into a middie role and then to crease attack or swap Bear from up high to down low or Leo from wing to behind. Too often it seems that the ball dies in people's sticks because they seem disoriented and uncertain where to find the next pass. Is that because they are playing outside their normal space on the field? I don't know. In the last several years, I think I would identify one truly "positionless" Syracuse player: Sam English. And he was a unicorn.

I agree with this, but I am reminded of the first couple games, when the team was winning and lineups were rotated pretty heavily. We were all excited about the coaching staff being able to mix and match and keep teams off guard. Not sure why it worked the first three games but fell apart in the last two.

This may be overly simplistic, but Syracuse just didn’t look prepared for what Princeton was showing them on defense. I haven’t watched a lot of the Tigers this spring, but the announcers said that they hadn’t been sliding much on defense this year. Against Syracuse they slid A LOT. Every other team this season has played strict man to man with very little sliding. Not making excuses for the Orange, because they really should have been able to adjust, but I can’t help but think this threw them off their game. They are built to play a pass heavy offense and should thrive against a slide heavy team, so more than anything I think what ails this team is mental.

Personally I think this is a mental issue at this point. I think they got high off their own supply against Maryland. When they got knocked off their pedestal by Harvard, they sulked instead of toughening up. Big questions ahead if this team can put up or shut up. Success in this sport is earned and not given. They need to realize that pretty quickly.

 

[FloridaCuse]

I agree with this, but I am reminded of the first couple games, when the team was winning and lineups were rotated pretty heavily. We were all excited about the coaching staff being able to mix and match and keep teams off guard. Not sure why it worked the first three games but fell apart in the last two.

This may be overly simplistic, but Syracuse just didn’t look prepared for what Princeton was showing them on defense. I haven’t watched a lot of the Tigers this spring, but the announcers said that they hadn’t been sliding much on defense this year. Against Syracuse they slid A LOT. Every other team this season has played strict man to man with very little sliding. Not making excuses for the Orange, because they really should have been able to adjust, but I can’t help but think this threw them off their game. They are built to play a pass heavy offense and should thrive against a slide heavy team, so more than anything I think what ails this team is mental.

Personally I think this is a mental issue at this point. I think they got high off their own supply against Maryland. When they got knocked off their pedestal by Harvard, they sulked instead of toughening up. Big questions ahead if this team can put up or shut up. Success in this sport is earned and not given. They need to realize that pretty quickly.

Well said. Totally agree. Mental. Got too high on themselves. Not tough enough. Plus, the coaching has done nothing to change that. All so far . . . .

 

[FloridaCuse]

Putting this here cause no thread seems logical.

Was just reading threads in other Forums about naming of Chancellor and AD:
- new Chancellor will be announced Tuesday morning at the National Veterans Resource Center
- most likely current Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie
- thought to be pro-Athletics

AD candidates being interviewed
- former Pitt AD Heather Lyke thought by some to be a serious candidate; some think she may be Haynie's choice
- Fired by Pitt for cause; hired by Kent Syverud as a special asst to him
- many posters think she'd be a disaster and would be bad for SU Athletics.
- She's been anti-NIL and at Pitt wanted to treat all sports as equals.
- if she's named AD the future of lacrosse at Syracuse could be at risk