Being a sports fan comes with its ebbs and flows. It comes with its pride and its sorrow. And when you talk about sports often, there is reality versus expectations.
Recently, Orange Nation sports talk show hosts Paulie Scibilia and Steve Infanti discussed this topic a bit. And they aren't the first nor are they the last. Paulie asked the audience and co-host Steve if it should be the normal expectations for Syracuse lacrosse to make the Final Four, Syracuse football to win 10 games and the men's and women's basketball teams to at least make the tournament every season.
Before you attack Paulie if you disagree, he isn't the sole reason I am writing this. As social media grows, we are are seeing more and more fans who have similar expectations year after year. Now is that the reality of what we as fans should expect or just hopeful expectations these days?
I know Syracuse fans were accustomed to similar outcomes in the past but that was also before the landscape and competition grew, especially in the lacrosse space and with the SEC finding more ways to dominate the college sports scene. But is it so wrong to want this?
In sports, there are often expectations put on players who wear the jersey of former legends (in Syracuse, that would be 22 and 44, especially). Some have wanted those jerseys retired and others have expressed their displeasure when players like Joey Spallina wears 22 and isn't as effective as they want. Or when Eddie Lampkin came to Syracuse last season wearing 44 and if he didn't have a great game, he faced some criticism despite having a decent season in Orange.
What are realistic expectations for Syracuse Orange sports fans?
The thing about these expectations is that often times, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and other times placing unrealistic expectations on players and situations that could be impacted by many possible scenarios. But I also don't think wanting the best for your teams is wrong either. Often times, these expectations can come to fruition with hard work, good health and the right blend of coaches and players.
I have to be honest and say that I don't set any bars on my expectations for my teams. Some call it "coach speak" but I do take it one game at a time and one situation at a time and see what happens and what the scenario is going in and coming out of it. I don't blame a coach or a player for a bad game but do wonder if it lingers especially if you can't see the reasons why. I go into games and seasons hoping for the best, including winning the championship in every sport but also open-minded that if certain situations arise, that might not be possible.
For instance, look at the tweet above and if you listen to all the chatter about Syracuse football's schedule being hard (and it is), it appears as though many think Syracuse could be on the outside looking in at bowl season or maybe just barely pull it out. And it's May so people have a few months before the season starts, so they need to spark conversations and I get it but I also find it foolish to predict such expectations when we barely finished spring practice.
We don't know how good Syracuse quarterback Rickie Collins will be next year or even if Steve Angeli could become the starter. The schedule is difficult and key players did leave but if you think Syracuse coach Fran Brown is just resting on last season buying him some time then you must be crazy. He and his staff are lining up a huge wall for the offensive line and addressing players they lost in the portal as well.
But having said that, I am going to click send on this article knowing that I have no clue how good the team will be this season.
And as for Syracuse lacrosse, they are facing Maryland this upcoming weekend, a team who beat them earlier this season, with a chance to advance to the NCAA finals after going on a tear during the ACC tournament and eventually winning it. But instead of expecting them to be elite as they were in the past, I will go into it optimistic and hopeful. As a fan, I believe in Gary Gait, Joey Spallina, Owen Hiltz and the rest of the team but knowing that Maryland will be tough as will the winner of Penn State and Cornell.
In conclusion, I will simply say this. I don't think expectations are bad but they aren't reality either. I think it is great to want the best but be prepared for whatever happens. And yes, this is easy for me to say because as I said earlier, I go into it with hope but not expectations and I don't necessarily do "sports talk" for the sake of conversation...I simply believe in my team and root for the best with an open mind and a heart that bleeds orange.