Beat writers predict Syracuse to bounce back at Hobart

No. 8 Syracuse (5-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) plays to retain the Kraus-Simmons Trophy on Tuesday when it travels to No. 19 Hobart (8-1, 2-0 Northeast).

The Orange traveled to South Bend, Indiana, over the past weekend and got nearly run off the field by Notre Dame before a comeback attempt fell short. The Statesman, since losing to then-No. 4 Cornell on Feb. 22, have rattled off six-straight wins, riding one of the best offenses in college lacrosse.

Here’s what our beat writers think of Tuesday’s matchup.

Andrew Graham (5-3)
All in the family
Syracuse 15, Hobart 14

The Kraus-Simmons Trophy is at stake yet again and for the first time in a few years, though it might not be the mindless box-checking exercise it’s been recently. The Statesmen’s offense is elite, point blank. Hobart scores at one of the highest rates in college lacrosse (16.11 goals per game) and more assists than any other team (92). For an SU coming off a first-half performance in South Bend where Notre Dame peppered Drake Porter and the SU defense with 22 shots, 11 goals, this does not portend great things. But, just when I think the Orange are circling the drain for real, they come back and prove me wrong. I’m no fool, the trophy stays in Syracuse.

Michael McCleary (5-3)
250 reasons to pick SU
Syracuse 13, Hobart 11

We’ve seen this movie before. Syracuse lost its season-opener after it was dominated on ground balls. The next game, SU outproduced Albany 44-24 in that category. After the Orange fell apart in the final quarter against Virginia, Syracuse did the same thing the Cavaliers did  — fell behind early — its next three games, but burst in the final quarter and won via come-from-behind efforts. Syracuse realized after Notre Dame (a game we all predicted SU would win) that it can’t fall behind again. SU’s adapted before, and for head coach John Desko to get his 250th career win, it will do so again.

Nick Alvarez (3-5)
31
Syracuse 14, Hobart 12

Late rallies act as good makeup for a team’s issues. But, as seen on Sunday, a squad’s weaknesses are eventually exposed. Syracuse’s defense was battered against Notre Dame and the offense couldn’t keep pace even with a 7-0 run. Hobart has the offense to replicate if not better UND’s production. Nick Mellen has shown he can frustrate a top-option. Though it’s been the third- or fourth-best scorers that have exploited SU repeatedly. But this Orange team has shown the ability to bounce back and diagnose its issues after a loss. Look for that to happen on Tuesday when the Kraus-Simmons Trophy is awarded to Syracuse for the 31st time.