OrangeXtreme
The Mayor of Dewitt
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Quint: Scouting the NCAA Tournament First Round
No. 8 LOYOLA
The Hounds limp into the postseason. Superstar Pat Spencer and the supporting offensive cast is lethal, but the defense suffered some mid-year injuries and hasn't been able to make stops. Goalie Jake Stover has been a band-aid for a group that doesn't have a No. 1 cover guy, and that has shorties who get torched. The Hounds have the homefield advantage, a staff that's capable of magical game plans and a track record of postseason success. The roster will be challenged by a very athletic Syracuse roster.
SYRACUSE
Just as the Orange were emerging as a team of national significance, they failed to finish in a disturbing loss to North Carolina. The extra week off is not ideal. Defender Nick Mellen should draw the Pat Spencer assignment, and it'll be fascinating to watch this matchup because of the height differential. Syracuse is deeper at the midfield, better defensively, and more athletic at every position. SU middies Brendan Curry, Jacob Buttermore, and Jamie Trimboli must draw slides. SU runs a pass-happy, perimeter slow-down offense, milking the shot clock to its final ticks. This game will be won by the team that handles the details the best: clearing, face-offs, goaltending and specialty situations.
No. 8 LOYOLA
The Hounds limp into the postseason. Superstar Pat Spencer and the supporting offensive cast is lethal, but the defense suffered some mid-year injuries and hasn't been able to make stops. Goalie Jake Stover has been a band-aid for a group that doesn't have a No. 1 cover guy, and that has shorties who get torched. The Hounds have the homefield advantage, a staff that's capable of magical game plans and a track record of postseason success. The roster will be challenged by a very athletic Syracuse roster.
SYRACUSE
Just as the Orange were emerging as a team of national significance, they failed to finish in a disturbing loss to North Carolina. The extra week off is not ideal. Defender Nick Mellen should draw the Pat Spencer assignment, and it'll be fascinating to watch this matchup because of the height differential. Syracuse is deeper at the midfield, better defensively, and more athletic at every position. SU middies Brendan Curry, Jacob Buttermore, and Jamie Trimboli must draw slides. SU runs a pass-happy, perimeter slow-down offense, milking the shot clock to its final ticks. This game will be won by the team that handles the details the best: clearing, face-offs, goaltending and specialty situations.