Dick Blume, Post-Standard
Syracuse lacrosse is poised to make its third championship run in four years, and its fans have taken notice. On Saturday, the No. 4 Orange dethroned No. 1 Notre Dame 11-8, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score seemed. And to the surprise of everyone, including SU Athletics, 14,751 fans packed the Carrier Dome, making it the highest-attended game of the season.
- Listen to a Fresh FizzCast: SU lax statement, Adrian Autry, SU’s NFL Draft
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The fanbase recognized how important it was for the Orange to grab a victory over the Fighting Irish. In this week‚Äôs Fresh FizzCast, we discuss what the win means for Syracuse‚Äôs national ranking, and its seed in the NCAA Tournament. Providing the ‚ÄòCuse can finish off the regular season strong against an inferior opponent, it’s deserving of the top ranking in the country and top seed in the tourney. I argued SU’s body of work is strongest.
“Syracuse is now tied for the best record in the country after having just beaten the No. 1 team in the nation – I don’t see how Syracuse can’t be the No. 1 team. I don’t see how if Syracuse beats St. John’s next week, which we all expect it will, it wouldn’t be the No. 1 seed in the tournament. But then again, how do you really know that the voters and the committee won’t give more credit to Cornell? Because Cornell did beat Syracuse.”
Team Fizz also put a bow on the addition of Adrian Autry to the SU basketball coaching staff, and Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg’s thoughts on his former assistant. There are some concerns about Red’s lack of experience as a recruiter, but The Fizz’s Steve Neikam says Greenberg praised Autry’s ability to relate, which is always an important aspect of recruiting.
“One of the things Greenberg raved about constantly was Coach Autry’s people skills – that he really relates well with players and within the recruiting network. People tend to gravitate towards him – he makes those connections and builds relationships with people.  The way he relates to high school and AAU coaches, and more importantly the players, seemed to be what Greenberg thought was Red’s biggest strength as a coach.”
On Saturday, while most students focused on SU’s battle with Notre Dame, or their own personal battles with Mayfest hangovers, two Orange football seniors were selected in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. Doug Hogue was grabbed by the Lions, and the Colts snagged Delone Carter. Team Fizz thinks both players fit well with their respective teams.
Hoffman on Hogue: “He gets to play behind probably the best defensive tackle duo in the league. He gets to step on the field behind Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley eating blocks the middle, with his biggest asset being speed.”
Neikam on Carter: “He’s going to be part of a great offense. And there are available carries at running back for the Colts. If you think about the Colts’ offense, it’s a very finesse-oriented offense. He’s going to bring an element of physicality – the tough, downhill, inside runner – that they’ve really been lacking for sometime now.”
Unfortunately, hopefuls Derrell Smith (who The Fizz spoke to before the draft) and Ryan Bartholomew never got the phone calls they were looking for. Rob Long also went unpicked, as expected. Check out the Fresh FizzCast for analysis on their uncertain situation in the midst of the NFL lockout.
Posted: Andrew Kanell
