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After a two-year absence, Syracuse returns to the NCAA Tournament. The Orange won 11 regular season games, their most in seven years, and finished above .500 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time since 2018.

Under head coach Gary Gait, SU has established itself once again as one of the best teams in the country. Joey Spallina has led an explosive attack while goalie Will Mark has anchored an improved defense. Despite regular season success, Syracuse faltered in the ACC tournament semifinals, falling 18-13 against Duke. The Orange trailed 5-0 before they had an offensive possession, leading to the loss.

Syracuse’s focus now turns to the NCAA Tournament. SU will take on Towson, the winners of the Coastal Athletic Association, who haven’t lost a game since March 9. The Tigers also hold the best scoring defense in the country, allowing less than nine goals per game.

Here’s how our beat writers feel No. 4 seed Syracuse (11-5, 3-1 ACC) will fare against Towson (13-3, 7-0 CAA) in the NCAA Tournament first round:

Zak Wolf (11-5)
History doesn’t repeat itself (Part 2)
Syracuse 12, Towson 9

If you read my BWP last week, I talked about how history wouldn’t repeat itself. That was pertaining to Syracuse’s last ACC Tournament win against Duke in 2016. This time around, my tagline still holds the same meaning, just against a different team.

2017 was the last time SU won an NCAA Tournament game, defeating Yale 11-10. But the No. 2 seeded Orange trailed 6-0 after the first quarter and were defeated by Towson 10-7 in the next round. Although I don’t believe Syracuse will suffer the same fate in 2024, it won’t be easy. Towson is one of the hottest teams in the country, winning nine straight.

The Tigers also allow just 8.44 goals per game. They ripped through the CAA, going 7-0 and destroyed both Drexel and Delaware in the conference tournament by a combined 19 goals. Despite this, I expect Syracuse to get over the line purely because it’s the more talented team. The tournament brings tight games and this will be no exception, but in the end, Syracuse will get over the line – just barely.

Cooper Andrews (11-5)
Back
Syracuse 16, Towson 7

SU’s ACC Tournament exit against Duke was pitiful. Expectations couldn’t have been higher after a recent win over Virginia thrust Syracuse into the No. 3 team in the nation. Plus, the Orange’s 10-4 demolition of the Blue Devils in March remained fresh in the mind. Yet SU’s semifinal loss, where it trailed by as much as 10, sent it reeling heading into the NCAA’s.

Syracuse needs a major response. It’s decimated teams that are within Towson’s talent level time and time again this season, namely a 14-6 victory in March over the Tigers’ CAA rival Delaware. Towson sports an efficient group on both sides of the ball, though I believe Syracuse’s stars will carry it to a win.

Nick DeMaio, who averages the tied-fifth most points per game in the nation (5.00), poses a lethal threat on the opposite side. Yet if Mason Kohn can win with consistency at the faceoff X, Spallina and Owen Hiltz will set up what’s been a hot midfield scoring trio of Sam English, Jake Stevens and Finn Thomson. In the biggest moment thus far, SU’s top options will shine and rid themselves of last week’s performance.

Anish Vasudevan (12-4)
Stop and smell the roses
Syracuse 10, Towson 7

Before getting into my prediction, I’m going to be a homer for a second (and act like the loss to Duke last weekend never happened).

Everything is coming to fruition for the Orange this season. Key additions like Stevens and English put Syracuse on top over teams it wouldn’t have beaten one or two years ago. Mark is holding together a dominant defense in John Odierna’s opening campaign. Simply put, Gait’s third year in charge has gone better than expected. With whatever happens this Sunday, it’s important to remember that.

Now, onto the game. The Orange have a chance against Towson to propel themselves toward the Final Four for the first time since 2009. Arguably, they are on the easiest side of the bracket, and a win over the Tigers would set them up most likely against a lower-ranked Denver team.

To defeat Towson’s tough defense, SU will need to rely on the capabilities of Thomson, Stevens and English, who have all ripped through defenses with attention on other Syracuse players. The Orange’s defense needs to key in on DeMaio. In this low-scoring affair, I expect Syracuse to come out on top.

Published on May 9, 2024 at 1:50 am