I met and talked to ESPN and WMAR-TV lacrosse analyst Mark Dixon yesterday. Aside from helping me with my article on Maryland's duo of behemoth attackmen Will Yeatman and Grant Catalino (slated for Saturday publication), Dixon offered his thoughts on Syracuse's chances of repeating as national champions.

Dixon said the No. 2 Orange has one of the best midfields in the country with, among others, seniors Matt Abbott, Dan Hardy and Pat Perritt and sophomore Joel White. He also thought that goalkeeper John Galloway should be much improved in his sophomore year.

While expressing concern about finding a replacement for faceoff extraordinaire Danny Brennan, Dixon said the Orange will miss 2008 Tewaaraton Trophy winner Mike Leveille, who led the team in goals (49), assists (34) and points (83) last season.

"They’ve got to find a replacement for Brennan and really the big one is Leveille," Dixon said. "He was their leader, really their heart and soul. If they can find somebody to take on Leveille’s role – not only scoring but as a leader – I think they’ve got a great chance to repeat."

When I asked Dixon to give me two teams that are flying under the radar now, he mentioned a program from the Ivy League and one from the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

"I think Brown is a team that can do some damage," he said. "They’ve got some good attackmen, and they have who I think is the best goalie in the country in Jordan Burke. ... And I think you have to look at Georgetown. Big disappointment last year, and people are down on the Hoyas. Year in and year out, top-3 or -5 recruiting classes, but they haven’t really turned the corner. Is this the year they could put it together? Georgetown could be a team that could surprise some people."