R.I.P. Steve McNair
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Lacrosse Final Four Predictions
OK, this will be my last lacrosse post of the year. I promise. I know it is not one of the two main college sports, but I appreciate you bearing with me this spring. It's the sport I coach and played growing up, so I love it and really do think it is going to be the next big sport in college athletics. In fact, the Wall Street Journal gave it a plug just yesterday. But I do realize most of you don't care, so after this I will move back to the thing we all care about after this-- good ol' fashioned college football.
This year's Final Four pits 1. UVA v 5. Cornell, and 2. Syracuse v. 3. Duke. These match ups are great for lacrosse. First, it is a great mix of programs. You have two of the traditional big 4 in lax, UVA and 'Cuse. They have combined for 14 national titles, and 2 of the last 3. At the same time, you have two new comers to dance. Cornell has only made it once in the last ten years and has only recently been resurrected by coach Jeff Tambroni. Duke also only became a national power in the past 4 years, and is a great story since it was a program that was on the verge of termination only three years ago. Did you forget about that? Feel free to google "Duke lacrosse" and "rape" and see how many hits you get. It's great that parity is slowly creeping into the sport and that the Final Four isn't identical every year anymore.
So how will this weekend go down? I think UVA will be able to handle Cornell, but it will be close. UVA is simply on fire. In their first two games in the tournament, they opened the game on 18-0 and 10-3 runs. Cornell's Max Seibald is arguably the best middie in the country, but I don't think they have enough offense to keep up with UVA. Virginia's interior defense is weak, but it will hold. In the other semifinal, it gets a lot more interesting. Syracuse is the defending champion and brings back the goalie it rode through the tournament last year, but Duke is the team that is getting hot at the perfect time this year. After starting the season with bad losses to Harvard and Maryland, they ended the season by winning the ACC tournament, beating #1 UVA handily twice. and winning a nailbiter last weekend against UNC. I think this game is going to be great-- high scoring and close, but at the end of the day Duke's best player (Ned Crotty) is a feeder and not a scorer. 'Cuse wins.
This gives us a great final. It's a rematch of the semifinals last year, when Syracuse beat UVA in overtime. Both teams are built the exact same way-- fast, aggressive defense that will challenge sideline to sideline, extremely fast middies that are always looking for fast breaks and can unload 90+ mph shots, and loaded attack that aren't afraid to shoot from anywhere and are virtually unguardable. Both teams would much rather be in a game that's 12-10 than 5-4. The goals will be fast and furious in this game, so it will be interesting to watch who wins the face offs to control possession, and which goalie can keep focused with so many shots whizzing by them. First to 15 wins in this one. At the end of the day. UVA's offense will be too much. The attack is headlined by 4 time All-America and Tewaaraton Finalist Danny Glading who will draw their oppenents top defender and plenty of double teams, but attackman Garrett Billings and Steele Stanwick both had over 50 points this season. Add in twins Shamel and Ramel Bratton (the #1 and #2 recruits in the nation in 2008) in the midfield, and it's clear that the UVA offense is just unstoppable. UVA wins in a thriller.
I can't wait, hope you can catch it. ESPN2 Saturday and Monday, starting at 1pm.
This year's Final Four pits 1. UVA v 5. Cornell, and 2. Syracuse v. 3. Duke. These match ups are great for lacrosse. First, it is a great mix of programs. You have two of the traditional big 4 in lax, UVA and 'Cuse. They have combined for 14 national titles, and 2 of the last 3. At the same time, you have two new comers to dance. Cornell has only made it once in the last ten years and has only recently been resurrected by coach Jeff Tambroni. Duke also only became a national power in the past 4 years, and is a great story since it was a program that was on the verge of termination only three years ago. Did you forget about that? Feel free to google "Duke lacrosse" and "rape" and see how many hits you get. It's great that parity is slowly creeping into the sport and that the Final Four isn't identical every year anymore.
So how will this weekend go down? I think UVA will be able to handle Cornell, but it will be close. UVA is simply on fire. In their first two games in the tournament, they opened the game on 18-0 and 10-3 runs. Cornell's Max Seibald is arguably the best middie in the country, but I don't think they have enough offense to keep up with UVA. Virginia's interior defense is weak, but it will hold. In the other semifinal, it gets a lot more interesting. Syracuse is the defending champion and brings back the goalie it rode through the tournament last year, but Duke is the team that is getting hot at the perfect time this year. After starting the season with bad losses to Harvard and Maryland, they ended the season by winning the ACC tournament, beating #1 UVA handily twice. and winning a nailbiter last weekend against UNC. I think this game is going to be great-- high scoring and close, but at the end of the day Duke's best player (Ned Crotty) is a feeder and not a scorer. 'Cuse wins.
This gives us a great final. It's a rematch of the semifinals last year, when Syracuse beat UVA in overtime. Both teams are built the exact same way-- fast, aggressive defense that will challenge sideline to sideline, extremely fast middies that are always looking for fast breaks and can unload 90+ mph shots, and loaded attack that aren't afraid to shoot from anywhere and are virtually unguardable. Both teams would much rather be in a game that's 12-10 than 5-4. The goals will be fast and furious in this game, so it will be interesting to watch who wins the face offs to control possession, and which goalie can keep focused with so many shots whizzing by them. First to 15 wins in this one. At the end of the day. UVA's offense will be too much. The attack is headlined by 4 time All-America and Tewaaraton Finalist Danny Glading who will draw their oppenents top defender and plenty of double teams, but attackman Garrett Billings and Steele Stanwick both had over 50 points this season. Add in twins Shamel and Ramel Bratton (the #1 and #2 recruits in the nation in 2008) in the midfield, and it's clear that the UVA offense is just unstoppable. UVA wins in a thriller.
I can't wait, hope you can catch it. ESPN2 Saturday and Monday, starting at 1pm.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Lacrosse Round 2 Predictions
It's late and I have to get to work early tomorrow, but I wanted to throw out some picks for the lax games going down tomorrow. I will hopefully put up a full analysis of Sunday's games tomorrow afternoon.
Maryland-Syracuse- Maryland played great defense against Notre Dame, but Syracuse is one of the best offenses in the country. In lacrosse, good offense usuallys beats good defense, and Syracuse also brings back the goalie that played great in their Championship run last season. Catalino and Co. will put enough on the board to keep them in the game, but it won't be enough to win or distract people from their awful mullets (or "'Flow" in Maryland lax terms). 'Cuse wins this won by 3-4 goals.
Princeton v Cornell- This is for the real Ivy League title, as the winner gets a trip to Boston a ticket to the Final Four. Cornell has veteran leadership and an amazing first midfield group, but I think top to bottom Princeton is one of the two best teams in the country this year. Coach Bill Tierney has actually modified his entire approach for Tigers this year. They normally play very slow and deliberate offense, and then an agressive, complicated defense. This year, for the first time, he's letting his team's athleticism take over. Their offense is wide open and putting up large numbers, and their defense is simple enough to let his young defenders play aggressively. It's a close one, probably a 9-7 slug fest, but the Tigers will walk away victorious. And, since they are from Princeton, they will also walk away as condescending assholes. Enjoy the Ag school, Cornell lax players . . .
Maryland-Syracuse- Maryland played great defense against Notre Dame, but Syracuse is one of the best offenses in the country. In lacrosse, good offense usuallys beats good defense, and Syracuse also brings back the goalie that played great in their Championship run last season. Catalino and Co. will put enough on the board to keep them in the game, but it won't be enough to win or distract people from their awful mullets (or "'Flow" in Maryland lax terms). 'Cuse wins this won by 3-4 goals.
Princeton v Cornell- This is for the real Ivy League title, as the winner gets a trip to Boston a ticket to the Final Four. Cornell has veteran leadership and an amazing first midfield group, but I think top to bottom Princeton is one of the two best teams in the country this year. Coach Bill Tierney has actually modified his entire approach for Tigers this year. They normally play very slow and deliberate offense, and then an agressive, complicated defense. This year, for the first time, he's letting his team's athleticism take over. Their offense is wide open and putting up large numbers, and their defense is simple enough to let his young defenders play aggressively. It's a close one, probably a 9-7 slug fest, but the Tigers will walk away victorious. And, since they are from Princeton, they will also walk away as condescending assholes. Enjoy the Ag school, Cornell lax players . . .
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
These Comments Really Draw My Meyer
This site will apparently house the Florida Coaching Staff in 2009Wow, and I thought that Lane Kiffin was the biggest fool in the SEC this offseason. Kiffin first falsely accused Florida of breaking recruiting rules only to find out that the rule he referenced didn't exist, then admitted to his own recruiting infractions not once but twice, then insulted the entire state of South Carolina, and is now banned from Pahokee High School in Florida. He's a fool.
But . . .
You have to look at the latest comments by Urban Meyer to a Gator booster club meeting this week. That's right, if you now even dare to criticize either Urban Meyer or the people he (I assume literally) employs, you are a traitor. Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators are now infallible. To question them is to commit treason, and will earn you a lifetime banishment from the Swamp. And not just for any alumni-- former Florida players are included on this list. Shane Matthews is reportedly on the verge of being banned for hosting a radio show and saying that Florida played poorly in a loss to Mississippi. MISSISSIPPI! They did play like crap!
We have now gone to the next level in college coach ego. While I understand that this is in part an example of the media being really bored in the offseason and making mountains out of molehills, on the other hand plenty of other coaches have caught flack for similar comments recently (like Lane Kiffin this past February), so Meyer had to know this would get national play. How self-righteous are you if you tell a group of alumni from your school "If you criticize me, I will banish you from campus." First, who does Meyer think pays his $3.5 mil plus contract each year, Florida tax payers? No, alumni donations. Good decision to threaten them. Second, of all the people you want on your side, isn't it former players? Isn't one of the great things about college that as an alum you are always welcome back? And don't fans go nuts whenever they see old players return to campus and walk onto the field at halftime? It's what separates college sports from the pros-- like ESPNU says (shameless plug, check's in the mail right, Berman?) you never graduate!
I've always thought Urban Meyer was a doucher, but this takes it to a whole new level.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Au revoir, UW Swimming
On Friday, May 1st, the sport nearest and dearest to my heart, college swimming, took another step in its steady march to extinction when the University of Washington cut both its teams, citing budgetary concerns in this troubled economic climate. Said UW Athletic Director Scott Woodward, “…it was imperative to help fix the long-term financial picture of our department.” The cuts came despite the women finishing 15th and the men 16th at this year’s respective NCAA championships. That’s the highest finish for any Husky men’s squad so far this year, and 2nd highest for the women (the XC team having won it all). Does Woodward have any idea how impressive that achievement was? The NCAAs are the 3rd fastest meets in the sport (and fastest of any conducted annually), behind only the world championships and Olympics. Woodward cited the fact that the Huskies have only a 6 lane pool, with no diving capability, to train and host dual meets in, but obviously that hasn’t stopped Head Coach Whitney Hite’s squads from quickly rising up the PAC-10 and national rankings to prominence. Why, then, did they find themselves on the chopping block? Woodward has probably been thanked by the Rector already for “saving” the university $1.2 million annually. But was this cut really necessary? UW has sunk millions upon millions into renovating Husky Stadium, ostensibly to lure better recruits in. Yeah, I can see how the perfect stadium really needed improvements…
I attend the University of South Carolina. The football facilities here are, to be blunt, ugly as hell. I know because I live next door to them. They sit in the middle of a multi-square-mile industrial complex. It’s hot as hell much of the school year. Yet Steve Spurrier somehow manages to bring in highly-regarded recruiting classes year after year (then manages to make them worse, but more on that come August). Here’s an idea, UW: Win A SINGLE GAME and maybe more recruits will start to show up.
Supposedly they need to make “safety upgrades.” Fine. But why are $350 million in “additional improvements” necessary? No doubt they include XBOXes in every locker.
I attend the University of South Carolina. The football facilities here are, to be blunt, ugly as hell. I know because I live next door to them. They sit in the middle of a multi-square-mile industrial complex. It’s hot as hell much of the school year. Yet Steve Spurrier somehow manages to bring in highly-regarded recruiting classes year after year (then manages to make them worse, but more on that come August). Here’s an idea, UW: Win A SINGLE GAME and maybe more recruits will start to show up.
Perhaps saddest of all is the total lack of sympathy from the entire UW community. Obviously these are hard economic times for all, but the comments following a Seattle Times op-ed column by Steve Kelly border on the gleeful. “At the end of the day if you cant [sic] pay your way you should be cut. The swimming program brings no revenue into the University,” writes ‘setht.’ Well, Seth, I guess that will leave the Huskies with two teams, Men’s Basketball and Football.
Because that’s the dirty little secret of college sports: On the whole, they aren’t terribly profitable. Yes, there’s enormous money to be made in those two sports. But the fact of the matter is that those sports also piss away money like it’s going out of style. Think about it - $350 million! That is an enormous sum of Washington taxpayer money to throw at a stadium that is used, essentially, 7 times a year.
Because that’s the dirty little secret of college sports: On the whole, they aren’t terribly profitable. Yes, there’s enormous money to be made in those two sports. But the fact of the matter is that those sports also piss away money like it’s going out of style. Think about it - $350 million! That is an enormous sum of Washington taxpayer money to throw at a stadium that is used, essentially, 7 times a year.
I know everybody loves college football and basketball, but aren’t things a little out of hand? Are college athletics supposed to be all about the almighty dollar? Evidently. Yet there was a time where universities sponsored sports because they believed in the principle of mens sana in corpora sano: A sound mind in a sound body. The athletes were supposed to be, hello, students! They didn’t just represent the university; they were representative of the student body. But now the tail is wagging the dog. University presidents have to make dealing with sports, which should be the smallest of their concerns, their top priority far too often. Why? Because while the educational value provided to students at our institutions of higher learning continues to go down the drain, that issue doesn’t rile up the average American like whether or not “we” are going to beat “them” in the rivalry game come late November, and go to an over-commercialized, non-prestigious bowl game.
Of course, in the state of Washington, the only game that matters is that rivalry game, the annual Apple Bowl between UW and WSU. This past year, the main reason it mattered more than any other game is because both teams were winless going in – each school was the only opponent the other had a chance of beating. This is what the AD is paid to preserve: A team so awful that it can’t win a game. Yet two teams with some of the most dedicated athletes you will ever see, training in less-than-ideal circumstances and without the support of their own department, each made the top 20 in one of the most challenging sports. Then they found themselves cut because they’re “non-revenue.”
The sad truth is that this will never stop, because our sports culture becomes more narrowly focused each and every year. Hell, if the NBA is struggling to retain its market share, what chance does any sport other than pro and college football have? Are we going to start to care when China beats the pants off of us in the Summer Olympics each and every time, because we only encourage our athletes to go to the gridiron? Probably not.
Each fall, the cycle will continue: Alums will throw ridiculous amounts of money at a football team that has only a 50% shot of winning each game, most of them will fail to meet expectations, a lot of coaches will get bought out of their bloated contracts and somebody else will get hired as the new highest-paid-employee of the state. And each year, dozens and dozens of non-revenue teams in swimming, wrestling, crew, etc. will be cut because the budget just can’t tolerate them.
I know that this isn't a hot-button issue for most sports fans. Simply put, most of us agree with 'setht' in Seattle. We don't, on the whole, care what happens to the "lesser" sports so long as our 7 annual Saturday bacchanals are preserved. But we should care. We shouldn't let our love of a few particular sports contribute, nay, lead to the inevitable downfall of all the others. We should reel back in the reigns of college athletic departments, get them under control and put the focus back on education rather than the "beer and circus" that most large universities provide to their undergraduates.
Will we ever wake up? Will we ever see that college sports weren’t conceived as a fundraising mechanism? Will we ever go back to the days in which teams were supported because they brought pride to the university, pride in their reaching the top echelon in their sport? Or will we just keep on letting the tail wag the dog? You know and I know that the answer is the latter.
But hey, look on the bright side! The college football preview magazines should be coming out pretty soon…
NCAA Men's Lax Opening Weekend Wrap Up
So I wound up going 5 for 8 on the first weekend of the Men's Lacrosse Tournament. My five safe picks (UVA, Duke, Syracuse, Princeton and Cornell) all worked out great. My two upsets (Brown and UMBC) fell just short by a combined 3 goals. And then there was Maryland, the psuedo upset I failed to pick. Maryland is basicially the Indiana basketball of lacrosse-- they haven't won it all in a while but their location ensures an obscene amount of talent on their roster every year, so they are never an underdog in the first round regardless of rank. My bad.
So what did we learn this week?
1. Billy Bitters Told Tim Tebow to Suck It- So you think you know what it means to dominate a college sporting event? No you don't. Billy Bitters redefined it by going Chuck Norris in Chapel Hill. This attackman from North Carolina scored 8 goals and assisted another in UNC's 15-13 win over UMBC. Not only that, he scored on his first 8 shots of the game-- and only missed his ninth when a UMBC defender jumped into the goal to block the shot with his chest after his goalie was juked helplessly to the ground. Oh yeah, he is also only a sophomore. He's going to win multiple Teewaraton's (the lacrosse Heisman).
2. Brian Christopher is the new Mr. Big Shot- The last three games, Johns Hopkins was tied in the closing minutes of their game. They needed to win all three to qualify and then advance in the NCAAs. Twice, like on Saturday, the game went into overtime. All three times, Brian Christopher scored the game winner out of the Johns Hopkins midfield. His goal was unreal on Saturday, a right handed laser that clocked at least 100 mph. If Hopkins is tied next week against Virginia, you better believe Coach Dave Petriemala is giving the ball to Christopher.
3. Only Maryland Plays Defense- Only three teams held their opponents to under 7 goals, and only one of those games was against a legitimate offensive team. Maryland played high scoring Notre Dame and their star attackman Ryan Hoff. The result? Three Notre Dame goals, Hoff was held to a stunning zero shots, and Maryland won 7-3. Maryland shut down Hoff, and their slides on defense were quick and perfect angles to prevent Notre Dame from ever getting a shot within 10 yards of the cage. Impressive performance
4. You Never Want to Be on an ESPN Poll- ESPN had a poll going all weekend, "Which Goalie Would You Want On Your Team In The NCAA Tournament." The choices were: Notre Dame's Scott Rodgers, Brown's Jordan Burke, UMass' Doc Schneider, or Princeton's Tyler Fiorito. The answer was apparently Fiorito, because he was the only keeper who won. Remember this for your picks next weekend.
So what did we learn this week?
1. Billy Bitters Told Tim Tebow to Suck It- So you think you know what it means to dominate a college sporting event? No you don't. Billy Bitters redefined it by going Chuck Norris in Chapel Hill. This attackman from North Carolina scored 8 goals and assisted another in UNC's 15-13 win over UMBC. Not only that, he scored on his first 8 shots of the game-- and only missed his ninth when a UMBC defender jumped into the goal to block the shot with his chest after his goalie was juked helplessly to the ground. Oh yeah, he is also only a sophomore. He's going to win multiple Teewaraton's (the lacrosse Heisman).
2. Brian Christopher is the new Mr. Big Shot- The last three games, Johns Hopkins was tied in the closing minutes of their game. They needed to win all three to qualify and then advance in the NCAAs. Twice, like on Saturday, the game went into overtime. All three times, Brian Christopher scored the game winner out of the Johns Hopkins midfield. His goal was unreal on Saturday, a right handed laser that clocked at least 100 mph. If Hopkins is tied next week against Virginia, you better believe Coach Dave Petriemala is giving the ball to Christopher.
3. Only Maryland Plays Defense- Only three teams held their opponents to under 7 goals, and only one of those games was against a legitimate offensive team. Maryland played high scoring Notre Dame and their star attackman Ryan Hoff. The result? Three Notre Dame goals, Hoff was held to a stunning zero shots, and Maryland won 7-3. Maryland shut down Hoff, and their slides on defense were quick and perfect angles to prevent Notre Dame from ever getting a shot within 10 yards of the cage. Impressive performance
4. You Never Want to Be on an ESPN Poll- ESPN had a poll going all weekend, "Which Goalie Would You Want On Your Team In The NCAA Tournament." The choices were: Notre Dame's Scott Rodgers, Brown's Jordan Burke, UMass' Doc Schneider, or Princeton's Tyler Fiorito. The answer was apparently Fiorito, because he was the only keeper who won. Remember this for your picks next weekend.
Friday, May 8, 2009
It's Tournament Time!
Ladies and gentlemen, up on your feet! It's now time for May Madness! It's time for . . . the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament! Before you laugh at this post about a preppy, east coast sport, remember that this year's tournament is expected at Gillette Statdium in Boston is expected to outdraw the Men's Basketball Final Four-- for the fourth year in a row. You read that correctly. The NCAA is frothing at the mouth at the potential in this sport, because it could finally be the sport to help bridge TV ratings and national interest between March Madness and the Fall Football Kickoff. You'll also see some familiar schools on this list-- they are BCS teams, even if they are the BCS teams that the asshole-white-kid-with-popped-collars-and-boat-shoes from your neighborhood roots for.
If you want some background on the games, you can check out ESPN's first round predictions or Inside Lacrosse's 10 players to watch this weekend. For the full bracket, click here. Here are my predictions for the first round of the tournament.
Johns Hopkins v Brown: If you don't follow lacrosse, Johns Hopkins is basically the Duke basketball of the sport. They are a school that is supposed to be too small and too academically rigorous to compete at a high level. But it is located in Baltimore, which produces the same percentage of D1 lacrosse players as California, Texas and Florida combined in college football, so they get insane talent and compete every year. They are down this year, however, having dropped out of the top 5 for the first time in what seems like my life. They are weak at attack and goalie, so I think this will be one of my first round upsets: the Bears move on.
UMBC v North Carolina: North Carolina has been a streaky team all year, starting off 6-0 then going 2-4 including 0-3 in ACC play, then ending the year with a 3 game streak to get to the ACC title game (which they lost). UMBC, on the other hand, has been remarkably consistent this year. 2 of their 3 losses are to quality teams Princeton and Hopkins, and have upsets over Maryland and Ohio State. This one will be really close, but at the end of the day UNC is a one man show offensively behind Billy Bitters, while UMBC can shoot outside or get to the crease all day long.
Hofstra v Cornell: Cornell has been a top 5 team all year long, and while Hofstra has made a great run this year, the Big Red is too much for the Pride (yeah, not kidding with that name). Max Seibald was one of the top 5 players in the country last year, and he remains unstoppable coming out of the midfield-- he'll beat shorties, Long Stick Middies or close D. This one could get ugly, Cornell by at least 5.
Navy v Duke: Both of these teams have recent memories of miracle runs that fell just short. In 2004 unseeded Navy lost in teh finals to Syracuse at the height of the "Support Our Troops" moment in the country, while Duke lost the last two title games in their attempt to vindicate themselves from the disastrous 2006 rape case that cost them their best team in school history. This year, Navy got a late season push to win the Patriot League while Duke started off slow, but then went undefeated in the ACC regular season and tourament (including two lop sided victories over top seeded Virginia). Duke's offense is on fire this year, scoring at least 12 times in 5 of their last 6 games. Duke moves on to round 2.
Virginia v Villanova: Virginia is the best team in the country this year, having only dropped 2 games and count wins against Hopkins, Syracuse, Maryland, Cornell, UNC and Towson, and feature the country's best player, in my opinion, in attackman Danny Glading. 'Nova will be lucky to stay with 8 in this game.
Notre Dame v Maryland: The most intriguing game of the first round. Notre Dame is the only undefeated team in the country, but played a really weak schedule. Maryland played a ridiculously tough schedule, but beat none of the good teams on it. I think at the end of the day, good ball movement is essential in the postseason to get open shots against amped up defenses, and Maryland's ball movement is pathetic. Notre Dame moves on.
Siena v Syracuse: Siena has a couple of big transfers from the ACC, which gives them some talent. But it won't be enough. Syracuse has more national titles than any other team in the sport, is the defending champs with the goalie that took them all the way last year, and as always is a juggernaut on offense. 'Cuse in a blowout.
UMass v Princeton: UMass is an average 9-5 team that I'm not sure should even be in the tournament. Princeton, on the other hand, is the second best team in the country with arguably the nation's best tournament coach, Bill Tierney. He has 6 national titles in the last 20 years, despite coaching at a school that doesn't give out athletic scholarships. His team is young (sophomores lead the team at Mid, Attack and Defense). The Tigers win this game, and are built to make a run not just this, but for a couple years to come.
If you want some background on the games, you can check out ESPN's first round predictions or Inside Lacrosse's 10 players to watch this weekend. For the full bracket, click here. Here are my predictions for the first round of the tournament.
Johns Hopkins v Brown: If you don't follow lacrosse, Johns Hopkins is basically the Duke basketball of the sport. They are a school that is supposed to be too small and too academically rigorous to compete at a high level. But it is located in Baltimore, which produces the same percentage of D1 lacrosse players as California, Texas and Florida combined in college football, so they get insane talent and compete every year. They are down this year, however, having dropped out of the top 5 for the first time in what seems like my life. They are weak at attack and goalie, so I think this will be one of my first round upsets: the Bears move on.
UMBC v North Carolina: North Carolina has been a streaky team all year, starting off 6-0 then going 2-4 including 0-3 in ACC play, then ending the year with a 3 game streak to get to the ACC title game (which they lost). UMBC, on the other hand, has been remarkably consistent this year. 2 of their 3 losses are to quality teams Princeton and Hopkins, and have upsets over Maryland and Ohio State. This one will be really close, but at the end of the day UNC is a one man show offensively behind Billy Bitters, while UMBC can shoot outside or get to the crease all day long.
Hofstra v Cornell: Cornell has been a top 5 team all year long, and while Hofstra has made a great run this year, the Big Red is too much for the Pride (yeah, not kidding with that name). Max Seibald was one of the top 5 players in the country last year, and he remains unstoppable coming out of the midfield-- he'll beat shorties, Long Stick Middies or close D. This one could get ugly, Cornell by at least 5.
Navy v Duke: Both of these teams have recent memories of miracle runs that fell just short. In 2004 unseeded Navy lost in teh finals to Syracuse at the height of the "Support Our Troops" moment in the country, while Duke lost the last two title games in their attempt to vindicate themselves from the disastrous 2006 rape case that cost them their best team in school history. This year, Navy got a late season push to win the Patriot League while Duke started off slow, but then went undefeated in the ACC regular season and tourament (including two lop sided victories over top seeded Virginia). Duke's offense is on fire this year, scoring at least 12 times in 5 of their last 6 games. Duke moves on to round 2.
Virginia v Villanova: Virginia is the best team in the country this year, having only dropped 2 games and count wins against Hopkins, Syracuse, Maryland, Cornell, UNC and Towson, and feature the country's best player, in my opinion, in attackman Danny Glading. 'Nova will be lucky to stay with 8 in this game.
Notre Dame v Maryland: The most intriguing game of the first round. Notre Dame is the only undefeated team in the country, but played a really weak schedule. Maryland played a ridiculously tough schedule, but beat none of the good teams on it. I think at the end of the day, good ball movement is essential in the postseason to get open shots against amped up defenses, and Maryland's ball movement is pathetic. Notre Dame moves on.
Siena v Syracuse: Siena has a couple of big transfers from the ACC, which gives them some talent. But it won't be enough. Syracuse has more national titles than any other team in the sport, is the defending champs with the goalie that took them all the way last year, and as always is a juggernaut on offense. 'Cuse in a blowout.
UMass v Princeton: UMass is an average 9-5 team that I'm not sure should even be in the tournament. Princeton, on the other hand, is the second best team in the country with arguably the nation's best tournament coach, Bill Tierney. He has 6 national titles in the last 20 years, despite coaching at a school that doesn't give out athletic scholarships. His team is young (sophomores lead the team at Mid, Attack and Defense). The Tigers win this game, and are built to make a run not just this, but for a couple years to come.
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