The timing of Volvo’s “Naughty” Weekend has been as bedeviling as the Syracuse season itself. While the 15 other selected bloggers from across the Big East have already conquered their alumni trips back to campus, The Fizz is still waiting on ours. While salivating, we’ve read everyone’s Naughty Weekends, from Milwaukee to Philadelphia, Providence to Tampa. It’s been like showing a starving man the menu at Morton’s Steakhouse.
This weekend, The Fizz will convene in Central New York to revel in a season of salvation for the Orange (we may need some spiritual saving after this trip as well). The campaign began with delirium, undefeated through 18 games, a top 3 ranking nationally. That collapsed under a storm of infighting, benchings, rumored scandal and losing six of eight. The Orange has shockingly rebounded though, winners of four in a row including two road wins over ranked opponents (Villanova and Georgetown) and now looking for the knockout punch over DePaul Saturday.
The process of preparation for this weekend has only forced the fire to burn hotter. The anticipation is like Chinese water torture. Drip here (compiling our playlist). Drip there (researching the best late-night food joints). Drip everywhere (jotting down our memo of ways to keep the s60 in one piece).
Friday morning I’ll arrive in the Salt City, stuffed Otto in tow. I’ll be grabbing the wheel of the s60, picking up my buddy BZ at Hancock and preparing for an epic haul. There may be standing warrants from ’98 out for the arrest of he and I. We’ll keep you posted. Three members of The Fizz staff are currently in the ‘Cuse as well. So we’ve got to figure out a way to squeeze five into the Volvo (leave the North Face puffy parkas at home). Friday afternoon, drop by the Score 1260 studios for “On the Block” with Brent Axe. Dinosaur BBQ Friday night. Chuck’s (the Minnesota Timberwolves favorite haunt) afterwards. Saturday lunch at the Varsity. Saturday late afternoon a destruction of the Blue Demons in front of 25k. Saturday night Faegan’s. Sunday morning attempt to walk a straight line. All the while, blogging, tweeting, Facebooking, flip-cam’ing.
If you see me around campus, I expect a pleasant hello followed by an underhanded dig about how I ran off Ishaq Williams. Just be forewarned, the Baldwin brothers have my back (not Alec, but some of the other ones). So rent Encino Man and jump aboard The Fizz party bus for the weekend. Let’s see where it stops.
The rest of the Big East’s Biggest Fan Challenge should be proud. The stories of debauchery and nuttiness from across the conference has been inspired, creative and worthy of the greatest basketball league in the country. But the old adage rings true once again. The bar has been set high, and we’ve saved the best for last.
Posted: D.A.
