4/4 D-Fly & Dixie: Baltimore Love with Syracuse's Billy Dwan

As we head into the month of April, Inside Lacrosse has released its first Bracketology presented by Get Reps. Based upon RPI and Strength of Schedule, I wasn’t surprised at the top four (Princeton, Maryland, Notre Dame and North Carolina), but it was something to see the nation’s No. 1 team, Cornell, as IL’s seventh best resume and the current third-ranked team, Ohio State, on the outside of the bubble. But hey, that’s why we play the games! This week there are five Top 20 matchups and one delicious Top 10 matchup for your viewing enjoyment. D-Fly & Dixie are here to get you ready.

And as teams battle the week-to-week storms of April conference play, don’t forget that famous old expression, “April showers bring May prowess.” Ok, maybe I just made that up, but the teams that weather and grow from conference battles always set themselves up best for the postseason. 

This year, Inside Lacrosse is proud to partner with the NCAA to offer you, our loyal listeners, $5 off all single-day ticket options (men and women) by using the code ILPOD at checkout. So head to NCAA.com/LaxTickets and enter ILPOD at checkout to purchase your tickets. You know you’re going to go to Championship Weekend, so why not get $5 off and help us show the NCAA how awesome our listeners are by purchasing your tickets today.

This week’s guest is Syracuse junior All-American, defenseman Billy Dwan. As the Orange prepare for a Top 10 showdown in the Dome against Notre Dame, the guys talk about paying your dues on the JV, growing up as the son of a coach, being an impact freshman, choosing Syracuse, overcoming early season setbacks, Baltimore, Notre Dame, Loyola Blakefield legends and much, much more. This was a good one that you don’t want to miss.

WEEKEND PREVIEW
Six games in our preview this week, with five legit Top 20 matchups and one Top 10 game to highlight this week’s schedule. 

SATURDAY
No. 12 Duke (8-3) at No. 15 Boston U (8-2), 1 p.m., ESPN+
These schools have met six times since 2014. Duke has won all six, including a back and forth, 11-10, victory on a rainy Wednesday last March.

No. 11 Harvard (7-2, 1-1 Ivy) at No. 18 Dartmouth (7-2, 1-1), 1 p.m., ESPN+
With both teams coming into the game ranked in the Top 20, it’s not hyperbole to say that this is the biggest game ever for these Ancient Eight rivals.

No. 3 Ohio State (10-1, 2-0 B1G) at No. 17 Johns Hopkins (6-4, 0-2), 2 p.m., ESPNU
Homecoming at Homewood. Hopkins leads the series, 11-7. JHU won last two, including 11-10 OT win in Columbus last April.

No. 5 Notre Dame (5-2, 1-0 ACC) at No. 7 Syracuse (8-2, 1-0), 2 p.m., ACC Network
Big time ACC game between Top 10 foes. Notre Dame has won the last seven straight games in this series, including last year’s 14-12 victory in South Bend. 

Virginia (5-5, 0-1 ACC) at No. 8 North Carolina (7-2, 0-0), 4 p.m., ACC Network
Pivotal early ACC game for both teams, but especially for Virginia. 

SUNDAY
No. 9 Penn State (6-3, 0-2 B1G) at No. 13 Michigan (6-4, 2-0), noon, Big Ten Network
Penn State downed Michigan 14-8 in the regular season, but the Wolverines got their payback in a big way, downing the Nittany Lions 16-4 in the Big Ten Championship game.

 GIVE & GO
In this week’s Baltimore-themed Give & Go, the guys get real about their love for their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.

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Thanks for listening, and as always, Enjoy The Games.