Happy New Year Fizz Nation! This past year was a massive roller coaster ride from Syracuse Athletics’ perspective. Of course there was the Sweet Sixteen run from SU men’s basketball which was probably the lone high point. Although the ‘Cuse women’s lax team nearly claimed a national title. Other than that there was a subpar lacrosse season which prompted the resignation of John Desko. Football season wasn’t much better as the Orange failed to reach a bowl game…again
So 2021 wasn’t the best, before we get into ’22 let’s look back on what the Fizz said were SU Athletics’ resolutions for this past year.
Syracuse Football: Find Your Quarterback
Mission accomplished (hopefully) in Garrett Shrader.
Syracuse Basketball: Stay Healthy
Mission accomplished en route to a deep tournament run.
Alright clap it up! A New Year’s Resolution (make that two) that was actually followed through on. Let’s see if 2022’s version can provide a bit more difficulty.
SU Football: Make a Damn Bowl Game
I don’t think we’re asking for too much with this. Find a way to win 2-3 of your non-conference clashes and win a few more in ACC play. Syracuse proved it can play competitive ball with anybody last year. The Orange were rarely blown in out the 12 game season.
Dino Babers is back and has his defensive guy in Tony White, he’s a star. As of yesterday it appears as though the future of the offense is bright with the official signings of offensive coordinator Robert Anae and quarterback’s coach Jason Beck.
‘Cuse’s 2022 schedule is very favorable with an intriguing non-conference schedule and very winnable home games come conference play.
SU Basketball: Top 4 Finish in the ACC
Syracuse got off to a great start picking up a massive road win over Florida State earlier this month. It looks like the conference is wide-open behind Duke. SU has what it needs for a top 4 finish but needs to show improvements on the defensive side of the floor. Obviously a 7-5 start with a resume lacking a big non-conference win (unless you consider Indiana a big win) is not great, but this team will make the tournament field without a bubble discussion if it finishes in the upper echelon of the conference.
SU Lacrosse: Finish Above .500
Look before you hit the comment section consider where the program is. A lot of talent out to the door to the major leagues or graduation. On top of that Gary Gait enters his first season at the helm of the program. There’s a lot of excitement around what he could do as the leader of this program. Understandably so as the last time you heard from him he took the SU women’s team to the top of the mountain before falling in the title game to Boston College.
Syracuse also has a very treacherous schedule between the top conference in lacrosse in the ACC and a very daunting non-conference slate. So break .500 and you’ll have earned a sticker for achieving your New Year’s Resolution.
