A young Maryland Terrapins team has looked sharp and efficient early in the 2014 lacrosse season. But let's face it, can we honestly look in the mirror and say those first two contests weren't games the Terps should have won easily? The first Mount wasn't too steep a climb and while the Terps were dogged by memories of a not too distant loss to UMBC, retrievers just don't hunt turtles.
Today, Maryland travels to the ironically unairconditioned Carrier Dome to face the top ranked (by Laxpower) Syracuse Orange. Today, Syracuse plays its first ACC regular season lacrosse game. Today, the season gets real.
How to witness
Date, time and location: Saturday, February 22, 1 p.m. at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
TV: Time Warner Cable Sports Channel in Syracuse and Albany areas
Online streaming: ESPN3, or pay $6.95 to watch on cuse.com
In their most recent game, Syracuse eked out a 17-16 overtime win against tenth ranked Albany. So it looks like the Orange may have some vulnerabilities and it's probably reasonable to say that Maryland coach John Tillman and his staff have studied the tape of that game.
If you haven't done so yet, get ready for the game by reading lacrosse savant Jake Nazar's preview. Feel free to welcome Jake to TT's ever growing staff of free labor.
Folks fascinated by the world of statistics (and even some who aren't) might want to take a look at the analysis of Maryland's offense over at SB Nation sister site College Crosse.
Why is this game different from all previous Syracuse games? (1) Can Charlie Raffa hold his own at the ‘X' where Syracuse has controlled over sixty percent of their face-offs? (2) Can a Terrapins offense led by attacking midfielder Mike Chanenchuk but powered by young guns Matt Rambo and Connor Cannizzaro continue to score efficiently? (3) Can Maryland's experienced defense put the squeeze on a powerful Orange offense that has rung up 36 goals in two games? And the most obvious question, (4) can the Terps come home from the Dome with a win?
Here's your chance to sound off. Answer my questions. Or don't. Predict a score. Or don't. Call me out for not knowing my you know what from a you know where. Please don't. Chat about the game with other Maryland lacrosse fans but reserve Peruvian Chicken discussions for Friday's MM (it's in the comments section).