SU lax looks a lot like SU hoops

Syracuse lacrosse is 6-0 and the No. 1 team in the nation. So why does it seem so frustrating to watch them? Oh, wait, because it has been. This team has been bothering me all season, despite its record, and it finally dawned on me today ...

Syracuse.com

I've seen this all before. The Orange lacrosse team is an exact copy of the Orange basketball team over the past two seasons, at least on offense. Every major SU hoops player is represented, except Scoop - which is probably why they're still ranked num ... ah sorry, Scoop, I promised I'd stop being a "hater" this year. 

So here's where I think the similarities lie. Take a look:

Stephen Keough – Rick Jackson

Keough does his damage inside, never more than a few yards from the net. He doesn’t need much room to get his shot off and he’ll get the rebound and the putback when possible. But he needs playmakers to get him the ball down low or he won’t be able to score.

Tim Desko – Brandon Triche

He’s growing up in front of our eyes. We all want him to take over with his skills but he can still disappear for long stretches. The future is bright for him, but is he good enough right now?

Players to watch on Friday

I'd like to say we'll do this every week for SU lax games, but based on my track record, let's not get too greedy here. Let's go through each position grouping, with a bonus second midfielder for today.

Defense - Whoever draws Steele Stanwick
Really, the defense will have to put up a total team effort to win on Friday, as UVA boasts some of the most talented offensive players in the country. Whether it's John Lade (probably) or Joel White (sometimes), the task of stopping Stanwick will be the toughest of the day. Stanwick scored eight points against Stony Brook. Holding him to three on Friday will probably be a success for the Orange.

Midfield - Tim Harder
Between Stanwick, Chris Bocklet and the Brattons, there is just so much firepower on offense for the Cavs. That means someone - either midfielder Rhamel Bratton or attack Connor English - will draw a short stick middie. Kevin Drew will play a big role in this task as well, but look for Harder, the diminutive yet unflappable shorty to take on the challenge.

Midfield - 2nd midfield
You, me and Roy Simmons Jr. have exactly one fewer goal than the 2nd midfield line at SU this year. Pete Coleman's tally against Denver is all they've produced to date. To be fair, Tom Palesek has delivered two assists as an attack/midfield combination and some of JoJo Marasco's goals have come when he rotated up top like a midfielder. To match UVA's high scoring in this game, however, SU needs something, ANYTHING from its second middies.

Attack - Tim Desko
Marasco wears 22, which is basically a sign that says "cover me with your best guy." Keough is a finishing machine who is drawing other top defenders that used to cover Cody Jameison. That leaves room for Desko, who is quietly turning into an All-American at attack. He's probably SU's best shooter and is the most creative around the net. Look for a big day from the coach's son, who's becoming a star in his own right.

Lacrosse primer - 4 reasons why this game is so big

In case you haven't noticed - and judging by most people I talk to, you haven't - Syracuse and Virginia will square off in the Dome on Friday night, at 6 p.m. It's kind of a big deal, and here's why.
 

1. In case you missed it, we hate you, UVA 
But you already know that, so ...

1b. It's always the best game of the year
OK, maybe not THE best game of the year, but pretty darn close every year. Going into the 2009 game, the series between SU and UVA was tied at 12-12 (it's now 14-12, UVA). Since 1994, the Cavs lead the overall goal count by just two goals (170-168). Every game since 2008, including the 2OT thriller in the '08 Final Four, has been decided by just one goal. Expect another tight game that comes down to the final seconds ... it's about as reliable as a 20-win season for Jim Boeheim.

2. The road to the national title goes through ...
OK, so both Virginia and Syracuse missed the championship game last year. But that was an outlier for sure. In nine of the last 12 seasons, either SU or UVA has played for the national title on Memorial Day. At least one of them was in the final four in every one of those seasons except 2007 (never happened). Whoever wins this game will be the favorite to win the title the rest of the way.

Lacrosse primer - why you should hate UVA

Sean at Nunes wrote about why UVA is not really our arch-enemy last year. He's right. Johns Hopkins is truly our arch-enemy, our Georgetown of lacrosse, if not much, much more.

Mike Leveille making UVA fans cry in 2008

I have to let you in on a secret though. I HATE UVA. And you should too.

If you're new to this lacrosse thing, or just a casual fan who watches final fours to see SU celebrate titles (nothing wrong with that), you might not truly understand why. So here are a few reasons why you should truly hate the Cavaliers.

SU hasn't won a regular-season game against UVA since 2002
That's nine years. NINE YEARS. Sure, the Orange won the 2008 national semi-final against the Cavs, but for the most part, Virginia has dominated Syracuse in recent memory. No one dominates the Orange in lacrosse. NO ONE. This must change, now.

We're back ... under new management

OK, it's really the same management, but I have a little more time on my hands now.

For those of you who know me, I've always been a big football fan and hoops fan, but after going to SU, my true passion became lacrosse.

Everyone writes about football and basketball, so it's hard to come up with an original post from time to time, but that shouldn't be the problem with lacrosse.

Check back later today and this week as the Orange get ready for Lax-mageddon (yeah, I went there) against UVA. It's kind of a big deal.