The Orange Zone

Samantha Croston and Tommy Sladek host The Orange Zone Podcast. On this week's episode, the crew breaks down the hot starts to the season for #19 SU men's lax and #2 SU women's lax. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a streak of success Syracuse Orange men's basketball hit a major bump in the road when Duke came to the Dome (00:41-06:33), now both they and the women's program turn their attention to the end of the regular season and trips to their respective conference tournaments. On this episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast," presented by Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and SU's all-time leading scorer Lawrence Moten break down the final stretches of the regular season for both teams (06:34-14:33), determine the chances each has on punching their ticket the the NCAA Tournament (14:36-18:58) and shoot their shot from deep in Producer Brendon's trivia (18:59-24:02). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse men's basketball is on a three-game winning streak and they're taking the rest of the season one game at a time. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" presented by Billy Whittaker Car & Trux, Tommy Sladek and Lawrence Moten bask in the glow of the Orange's first win over a ranked team this season after their 75-72 win over North Carolina State (01:03-07:19) and what it means in the long term when it comes to the postseason, including ACC Tournament seeding, and the NCAA Tournament or NIT (07:20-17:18). The team then looks ahead to the Orange's date with Duke (17:19-18:43) shares their messages of belief for several Orange stars (19:13-22:01). Finally the team runs down the rest of the past week in Orange athletics action (22:02-23:19) before looking to continue their streak of relative success when it comes to Producer Brendon's trivia (23:20-26:36). It's been an exciting week in Syracuse and this is another exciting episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

They were a pair of games the Syracuse men were expected to win and had to win, and they answered the bell. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" presented by Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Tommy Sladek and Samantha Croston debrief after SU's road win at Florida State (00:00-6:50) give praise to a pair of young men showing major growth on the court (06:50-09:20) and take stock of the lessons this Orange team is learning as they hit the home stretch of the season (09:20-12:46). They then look back on the season opener for Syracuse men's lacrosse, a 7-5 win over Vermont (13:44-17:00) and look ahead to a battle between a pair of powerhouses in the world of women's lacrosse when the Orange host the Northwestern Wildcats (17:01-19:05). Of course the team's coming in confident off a stellar trivia performance last week, but as always Producer Brendon isn't going easy on them (19:06-23:59) as we close out another week of Syracuse athletics on this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Slow starts and miscue-filled finishes continue to plague Syracuse men's basketball and it's shown over the course of a three-game losing streak. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast", presented by Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Tommy Sladek and Samantha Croston touch on the scenes postgame and head coach Jim Boeheim's response to a question every media member at the game had from tip off (00:00-06:00). The team then welcomes back SU legend Lawrence "Poetry in Moten" Moten to discuss the trends he saw continue in the Orange's loss to Virginia (06:00-17:57) what it means for the team's upcoming game against Boston College and their chances to make the NCAA Tournament field (17:58-23:40) and the state of SU's trademark zone defense (23:41-26:55). Meanwhile the team asks if they're seeing parallels from where the men stand in comparison to the women's basketball program as the home stretch of the season approaches (26:46-29:22). Of course there's reason to be excited elsewhere in the world of Syracuse athletics with the release of the 2023 football schedule (29:23-34:36) and a dive back into history with Producer Brendon's trivia that will have you rooting for a major upset (34:37). There's so much to cover and so much more to come so thank you for joining us on this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" presented by Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse basketball fans were treated to the highest of highs followed by an emphatic thud Tuesday night when the Orange dropped a nail-biter to North Carolina. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" presented by Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Tommy Sladek and Samantha Croston welcome in the newest member of the team, former Orange superstar Lawrence Moten (00:00-01:25) and get his thoughts on what went against the Orange in a game they had all but wrapped up with under a minute remaining (01:26-17:32). The team also gets his perspective on the NIL era and transfer portal (17:33-20:57) before focusing on the young talent the team has in it's arsenal (20:58-23:19) and looking ahead to what they have to do to keep their hopes of a postseason berth in front of them (23:20). Of course you can't have an episode without mentioning the SU women's team who have faced their own set of struggles lately (25:42) and speaking of struggling, the team looks to rebound in another edition of Producer Brendon's trivia (26:34). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse men's and women's basketball hit the road this weekend coming off their respective losses to ranked, in-conference foes. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" Tommy Sladek and Samantha Croston discuss the concerns they picked up on in the men's close loss to Miami that could continue to plague the Orange later on this season (01:55-07:08) and the ways their veterans on the court can help to cancel those issues out (07:09-12:26). Looking ahead the team takes a dive into both squads upcoming games, starting with just how successful the women's team has been in the first year of the Felisha Legette-Jack era highlighted by the first signs that the Orange could make the NCAA Tournament field (12:27-20:22). As always the team closes things out with Producer Brendon's trivia (20:23-23:11) and a dive into SU history before even Jim Boeheim was head coach (23:12-24:48). Tie it all together and it's another entertaining and educational episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast"! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the end of college football season and with that we say goodbye to the gridiron until next fall. Or course the Orange Zone is more than happy to finally say hello to the hardwood and turn our full attention on the rest of Syracuse basketball season. On this week's episode of the Orange Zone Podcast we play catch up on a basketball season that, when you really look at it, is already halfway over and examine how both the men and women have fared in the early parts of their conference schedules (01:45-16:35). Where do the Orange excel, where do they still need some work and do early signs show any indication that either of these teams could make a push for the postseason come springtime? We look at both teams through the lens of those questions and forecast where this season can go. Elsewhere some former Orange football players are making headlines, with one setting a record for an NFL franchise (16:35-17:30) and another earning a spot of note among the greats of his sport (17:30-18:08). Add in Producer Brendon's trivia (18:09-23:57) and a recap of our football picks competition (23:57-26:44) and you have the latest episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The sports world witnessed or woke up to its worst nightmare Monday night into Tuesday morning when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during the Bills Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" our team focuses on this moment and shares their thoughts and feelings from the time that Hamlin lay on the ground, his life in the hands of on-site medical personnel, to the present knowing his current condition. The team discusses the humanity hidden behind the facemasks of football players and what they saw from the men who are worshipped by so many off the field join in a united sense of worry for a man who shares space on the field with them. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It all comes down to this. Win or lose the 2022 Syracuse football season will be remembered by Orange fans but will it be for the lackluster second half of the season or for an end that saw a bowl game victory. Tommy Sladek and Samantha Croston discuss that from New York City ahead of SU's matchup with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're full steam ahead into the holidays and while school may be out the sports world never sleeps. Was this the wildest weekend of NFL football we've ever seen? The team discusses and shouts out one former Orange football player for his role in the craziest finish of them all (00:01-08:15). Meanwhile at the college level SU football continues to see changes. The Orange named a new defensive coordinator over the weekend (08:16-10:56) and saw arguably their best offensive player declare for the NFL Draft (10:57-15:00). Speaking of football, the Early Signing Period is open as well, leaving us to ask if traditional recruiting outweighs the importance of the transfer portal or vice versa (15:01-30:03). Plus we remember an Orange basketball legend who left us much too soon (30:04-30:55). Round things out with Producer Brendon's weekly trivia question (30:56) and you have another exciting and entertaining episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Monday night in December brought SU sports fan an early Christmas present in a first even national championship in men's soccer. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro focus on the game that took Central New Yorkers breath away for 110 minutes plus penalty kicks, and welcomes in their first in-studio guest in SU goalkeeper Russell Shealy. Russell details the sights, sounds and feelings of the penalty kicks, including the second of his two saves that set up the winning penalty (00:00-19:26). It's an especially happy moment for Producer Brendon who comments on his old roommates success (19:27-22:00) and shares a moment of congratulations from the Senate floor in Washington D.C. (22:01-22:50). Of course there's so much more to talk about when it comes to SU sports. Winning streaks on the hardwood (23:00-23:30), coaching changes for the football team (23:31-26:45), and a look ahead to two months from now when lacrosse season foreshadows the arrival of another Central New York Spring (26:46-30:45). Add in Producer Brendon's trivia featuring what makes the Orange Zone team so great (31:15-36:21) and you have a jam-packed and fast-paced episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's renewed excitement around Syracuse University athletics whether it's on the gridiron, the pitch or the hardwood. SU football (7-5) is looking ahead to the final chapter of their 2022 season, a date with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Pinstripe Bowl. Meanwhile SU men's soccer can almost taste a national championship and a new legacy is being created on the hardwood of the JMA Wireless Dome. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston, and James Mungro kick off the way-too-early preview of the Pinstripe Bowl with a preliminary look at the matchup and the connections it brings (04:32-07:29) as well as what we know when it comes to some of SU's standouts and the potential for them to test the Transfer Portal waters (07:30-14:57). The team also dives into everything that comes with playing in a bowl game, both good and bad (14:58-21:59) along with praising the upcoming introduction of a 12-team college football playoff (22:00-25:38). A special guest also stops by in SU senior and CNY Central Sports Intern Ashley Wenskoski. She provides the team with the weekly trivia question (25:39-27:58) and her perspective on what students are focusing on as they head into winter break (27:59-29:35) before the team gives some well-deserved attention to both of SU's basketball teams (29:36-34:27) and the SU men's soccer team (35:07-37:17). A lot's going on in CNY, and we're your home for it all. So sit back, relax and enjoy this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse football got a win they desperately needed and with under a month to go before Christmas a couple of Orange athletes have found their way onto Santa's naughty list. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro discuss their predictions for where the Orange could land for a bowl game (02:59-09:32) before taking a look at how SU came to be where they stand at the end of a topsy-turvy regular season. A season epitomized by their final game at Boston College (09:33-14:41) with too many bumps to count in previous games as well (14:42-17:56). Bowl season means the holidays are underway, and some SU athletes may have landed on Santa's naughty list just a month away from Christmas. The team details some fiery actions on both the turf and hardwood (17:57-32:35) and where they stand on that sort of emotion. It's also about time to turn the focus to SU basketball (32:36-34:22) and SU soccer is in the middle of a dream run in the NCAA Tournament (38:18) meaning there's no shortage of stories on this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse Orange football is in the worst place a college football program can be season to season. Average after looking like a program to be reckoned with. Now they face one of two paths, 7-5 and a good taste in their mouths to end the regular season or 6-6 and the memory of a collapse Orange fans haven't seen the likes of before. On this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro speculate on what SU's current record means for the state of the team (03:34-11:17) after an apparent offensive bounce back and the defensive struggles against Wake Forest (11:18-14:03) before getting into a game at Boston College that, at least on paper, Syracuse should win (14:04-16:03). Then comes the question on every Orange fan's minds, what's the best and worst case scenario for the end of this season into other seasons to come (16:04-20:20). Of course our team has their game picks (20:21-24:12) their thoughts on where SU could end up in the upcoming bowl season (24:13-30-26) and once again tries to best Producer Brendon's weekly trivia (30:27-34:39) as SU marches towards what all of the Orange faithful hope is a happy end to a turbulent regular season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senior day didn't go as planned for the Syracuse Orange football program, and their streak of weeks without a win sits at four. This latest loss leaves them at a fork in the road with just two games remaining in the regular season. Pack things in and hope to earn a bowl game bid, or work to right the ship and finish the regular season strong. From what the players had to say this week, they're ready and willing to work to make the latter the result. That's just part of the discussion on this week's edition of "The Orange Zone Podcast". Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro also take time to discuss just how out of hand the last few weeks have gotten (2:07-10:50) and why the term "panic mode" doesn't apply to this season anymore (11:10-20:10). The team also looks ahead to a matchup with another program who's had a similar sort of season, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (20:11-21:16). They takes stock of both programs current strengths and weaknesses, and analyze where they leave the opponents heading into a weekend where they need a win. As always our team's predictions (21:17-26:40) and trivia from Producer Brendon are included (29:11-36:25) as we continue down the home stretch of the 2022 SU football season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse is on a three-game skid that's seen some serious flaws exposed and the team topple out off the Top-25 entirely. Now they face off against a foe that's made their way back into the rankings in the #23 Florida State Seminoles. This week Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro start with some reaction the the biggest sports news of the week out of Indianapolis (01:01-06:51) before turning their focus to SU's upcoming game against the Seminoles (06:52). The team discusses if it's time for the Orange to hit the panic button (08:25-11:47), how much a fluid quarterback situation has to do with their struggles (11:47-16:46) and what could be done better to improve not just offensively but as a team(16:58-19:04). Add in our Orange Zone team's predictions (19:04-29:01) Producer Brendon's trivia (29:01-32:52) and a quick recap of SU's opening salvo of the basketball season (32:54-35:11) and you have this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#20 Syracuse is coming off of back-to-back losses and the news that another starter is sidelined for the season. Now they head back out on the road for what's sure to be a tough task in the Pittsburgh Panthers. In this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro look into what makes the Panthers so dangerous (02:35-05:15) and how SU is once again taking on a "next man up" mentality (05:15-10:37). It may not be next man up at QB, but will Garrett Shrader be healthy enough to start (16:58-22:21)? Plus our predictions (22:22-29:00) Producer Brendon's trivia (29:01-32:54) and a visit from one of Central New York's favorite personalities who's now hitting it big out west (32:55-35:35). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The #16 Syracuse Orange football team is coming off their first loss of the season but aren't letting it weigh them down. After analyzing the Orange's short descent down the polls this week (2:01-5:17) Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro discuss what went wrong for the Cuse against Clemson (5:18-14:09) including why one of their best offensive weapons only had ten touches. Of course we have to look ahead to what's already a sold out affair between the Orange and the unranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14:10-34:06) the first matchup hosted by Syracuse since 2003. We have our game predictions (34:07-42:27) and trivia with a twist (42:28-52:32) before hitting on the start of the exhibition schedule for SU men's and women's basketball (52:32-53:54). There's a ton going on in Syracuse and we're here to cover it all on this week's episode on The Orange Zone Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(00:24-14:49) NC STATE RECAP (14:50-15:02) MARLOWE WAX (15:15-18:33) BOWL ELIGIBILITY, COLLEGE GAMEDAY TALK (18:34-33:59) CLEMSON PREVIEW (34:00-49:30) PREDICTIONS (49:34-55:00) TRIVIA (55:01-57:21) CLOSING REMARKS After a more than month long homestand, the #14 Syracuse Orange are set to hit the road for just the second time this season in a game that could define the rest of the 2022 season. In this episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast" Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston and James Mungro discuss the mindset as the Orange enter Death Valley, and face off against a Clemson Tigers team that, while similar in terms of personnel with Syracuse, comes with both championship history and pedigree. It's a matchup that no Orange fan will want to miss and we break it all down on this week's episode of "The Orange Zone Podcast". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Orange Zone team is back from a restful and relaxing bye week (00:00-5:43) but it's time to refocus on the rest of the season. It's the biggest test for the #18 Syracuse Orange to date with the #15 North Carolina State Wolfpack coming to the JMA Wireless Dome, but could injuries, including one to the Pack's starting QB change the way the road team goes forward (9:40-15:40)? Even with the potential impact of injuries these teams have strong defensive units, highlighting what's sure to be a competitive game (15:41-21:16) and in a game that SU is favored against a higher ranked opponent, what's the Orange's mindset right now (21:17-28:39). Of course our whole team has our predictions for the game (33:09-42:51) thoughts on the celebration of three Cuse legends into the Syracuse Ring of Honor (42:52-45:04) and Producer Brendon's almost impossible trivia with a new twist (45:05-52:21). All of that and more on a huge week in the world of Syracuse Orange football! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse football is 5-0 and now they get a week to rest and recover ahead of a big two-week conference stretch. Meanwhile the Orange Zone podcast team isn't taking any breaks. This week we introduce a new member of the team (00:00-02:20) who, after reacting to a dominant showing against Wagner (03:46-6:15) gives us their opinion on what's made this team so good so far this season (06:16-08:55) as well as the keys to their continued success (10:45-12:47). Add in a look ahead at an ACC gauntlet filled with ranked teams (15:32-19:49) Producer Brendon's over-the-top trivia (25:16-30:50) and the mindset of the Orange as they make their way through the bye week (30:50-33:15) and there's no shortage of talking points to touch on throughout a week without Syracuse football. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We start with Syracuse landing at #25 in the Coaches Poll Top 25 (5:00-7:50). Quick Virginia recap (7:51-9:00). Fan attendance, sound system issues (9:10-13:50). DT Terry Lockett suffers a season-ending injury. What this says about Orange depth (13:55-15:45). Comparisons to the 2018 team, we hear from HC Dino Babers (15:55-18:40). Week 5 Preview, Wagner is actually on a 23-game losing streak, we hear from CB Garrett Williams (21:31-24:20). Score Predictions for Syracuse/Wagner, we own our not so accurate predictions for the Virginia game (24:21-30:50). Interview with Wagner's play-by-play broadcaster Keith Raad (31:25-35:52). Producer Brendon's Trivia Question of the Week (36:35-39:30). Fun observations, we forgot to give Andre Szmyt a huge shoutout earlier in the show for an MVP performance in the win over UVA (39:40-42:55). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a last-second win over Purdue, Syracuse football is feeling good and getting some attention from across the nation. So what do the Orange have to do to take the next step and earn a number next to their name? Samantha Croston and Tommy Sladek discuss that and the upcoming game against Virginia in this episode of the Orange Zone Podcast. -We hear from Dino Babers, Garrett Shrader and Caleb Okechukwu. -SU receives votes in the AP Top 25 -Extended interview with UVA expert Zealand Shannon -PREDICTIONS See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syracuse football is 2-0 for the first time since 2018, and they face their toughest test yet when they return to the Dome this Saturday. So what is Syracuse football, and where can they go from here? Samantha Croston, Tommy Sladek and Brendon Hodges discuss that and more on this week's edition of the Orange Zone Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.