Which team or individual had the most impressive performance in the quarterfinals?

Paul Carcaterra: Shamel Bratton and Ned Crotty. I think Shamel Bratton [who scored five goals in Sunday’s 19-8 demolition of Johns Hopkins] created so much for his team because of his ability to separate himself from the defense. Johns Hopkins’ defense couldn’t guard him, and that opened up everything for his teammates. He really opened up the field for Virginia and just showed that when you have a guy up top from the midfield and he can dodge like that, that changes the complexion of the opposition’s defense. And Ned Crotty [who posted two goals and six assists in Sunday’s 12-11 win against North Carolina], I’d be shocked if he didn’t win the Tewaaraton based on what he’s been able to do in leading the country in assists. He’s just the ultimate team player, and he’s created an offensive situation for Duke where everyone gets involved.

Which team or individual fell short of expectations?

PC: I think coming off of an eight-goal performance against UMBC, the pressure was on Billy Bitter, and I think Duke defended him so aggressively that he really struggled. The chips were stacked against Bitter walking into that game against a physical Duke defense and with him being the only big-time dodging threat on UNC. He played with a tremendous X on his back. So I’m not sure if he fell short of expectations or if the chips were stacked up highly against him. I think Duke sort of threw the kitchen sink at him, and they physically went after him.

Since you mentioned Ned Crotty, can he still win the Tewaaraton if Duke does not win the national title?

PC: I think Ned Crotty wins the Tewaaraton unless Danny Glading plays incredibly this weekend and Virginia wins. Those two things have to happen for Ned Crotty not to win the Tewaaraton. I think he’s meant more to Duke than probably any other player to his team. I don’t ever like to say it’s about one guy, but he’s a huge reason why Duke is playing in this game. You had the loss of Matt Danowski and Zack Greer, the two most prolific scorers in NCAA history, and here comes Ned Crotty who switches from midfield to attack, leads the country in assists, and gives Duke an identity offensively. What else could you ask for? It’s truly remarkable what he has done. So I think it’s his to lose and the only other person that I could see winning it is Danny Glading with a monster performance and Virginia winning the national championship. I think Kenny Nims should have been on that list. I think he kind of got snubbed. Abbott probably deserves to be on that list, too, but I think Kenny Nims should have been on that list.

Which team will win the crown?

PC: I think it will be Syracuse. And I’m not saying this because I’m from Syracuse. I don’t pick Syracuse every year. I’m not ignorant. I just think they have six offensive midfielders and three exceptionally athletic defensive midfielders who can start offense from the other end, and I don’t see any other team with that combination. So I’m going with Syracuse.