1Can Johns Hopkins repeat? With many programs fielding stronger and faster squads, capturing back-to-back national championships is becoming as rare as a quality singer on American Idol. It has been almost 10 years since Princeton ruled the lacrosse world, winning its third straight NCAA crown in 1998. But don't sleep on the Blue Jays, who return five of last year's top six scorers, including senior midfielder Paul Rabil. Junior Michael Evans anchors a defense that limited opponents to 7.8 goals a game. It'll be tough, but Johns Hopkins just might be there May 26.
2. Syracuse on the mend -- Off-field incidents and on-field injuries sapped the Orange of the kind of depth the team had come to rely on en route to nine national titles. Last year's 5-8 record was the program's first losing season since 1975 - a mark that the players and coaches will use as motivation. Junior midfielder Pat Perritt is back after leaving midway through last season after his arrest for an off-field incident. Junior defender Sid Smith paced Onondaga Community College to its first junior-college national crown two years ago. The road will be arduous, but no one is overlooking Syracuse.
