NCAA Tournament 2024

[Laxattackjack]

i think there are three front runners for the title. RPI, RIT, and Salisbury.

there is a gap to this next group.

wesleyan, Tufts, St Lawrence, CNU, and Middlebury are in the next group.

Laxattackjack - agree those three are the frontrunners but do think that if Wes and Tufts play there best lax that they are top tier teams.

absolutely. anyone in this field can be beat. tufts and wesleyan have shown more cracks then the three i mentioned, but that doesn’t mean they can’t win it all. heck, i can see a way that lynchburg wins it all, and they aren’t even in my top two tiers.

[valaxfan]

Anyone know why RIT is the only POD playing on 5/10? https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/lacrosse-men/d3/2024

valaxfan

[MidwestLaxer13]

Anyone know why RIT is the only POD playing on 5/10? https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/lacrosse-men/d3/2024

valaxfan

Hope has institutional religious restrictions that doesn't allow them to play on Sunday's. The same thing happened last year when they went to CNU

[valaxfan]

Anyone know why RIT is the only POD playing on 5/10? https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/lacrosse-men/d3/2024

valaxfan

Hope has institutional religious restrictions that doesn't allow them to play on Sunday's. The same thing happened last year when they went to CNU

Got it. Thank you.

valaxfan

[Jknows]

I know this is very much a hypothetical, but I wonder what would happen if Hope advanced to the final. That game is played on Sunday and can’t be changed because the facility is in use on Saturday for D1 semis (plus practice times in the morning for D2 and D3 finals). And NCAA is selling ticket packages with the dates and games laid out as is.

What would the NCAA do? Force Hope to play on Sunday? Hope makes a one-time exception due to the circumstances?

[EasternShoreLaxGuy]

Any hot takes for this weekend? Not a major fan of the back to back games for the quarters and semis but I do enjoy it for this weekend. 8 teams will be left by Sunday night... crazy. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say of the top teams that are being talked about as favorites (RPI, RIT, SU, Tufts), Tufts has the best chance of not making it as far as predicted if Union handles Stevenson early. Tufts has a younger team that most likely will be playing in a hostile environment Sunday. Saturday is a grind to get your horses off the field early so every possession matters against lesser teams that are playing with nothing to lose. Creates an interesting weekend. Hope all players get through healthy so no questions are left unanswered. Excited for the next three weekends and to hear everyone's opinions. Also could see Scranton giving Dickinson a run

With that being said, my 8 teams playing next weekend... CNU, RIT, RPI, Tufts, St. Lawerence, Lynchburg (home field), SU, Middlebury

[CentennialPundit]

Don't count out either centennial team, great specialist play goes a long way in the tournament.

[BigMoose9]

Any hot takes for this weekend? Not a major fan of the back to back games for the quarters and semis but I do enjoy it for this weekend. 8 teams will be left by Sunday night... crazy. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say of the top teams that are being talked about as favorites (RPI, RIT, SU, Tufts), Tufts has the best chance of not making it as far as predicted if Union handles Stevenson early. Tufts has a younger team that most likely will be playing in a hostile environment Sunday. Saturday is a grind to get your horses off the field early so every possession matters against lesser teams that are playing with nothing to lose. Creates an interesting weekend. Hope all players get through healthy so no questions are left unanswered. Excited for the next three weekends and to hear everyone's opinions. Also could see Scranton giving Dickinson a run

With that being said, my 8 teams playing next weekend... CNU, RIT, RPI, Tufts, St. Lawerence, Lynchburg (home field), SU, Middlebury

I agree with your Elite 8 except I think Wesleyan beats SLU in a one goal game. I just think they are firing on all cylinders right now. I also agree with your point about the back to backs. Playing in a final four off a back to back is unfair to the players. Not sure why they couldn’t do a Friday/Sunday situation like D1 does for the final four. I know it’s only 1 extra day but helps the players more than you would think.

[Matnum PI]

D3 Men Bracket

[MVPiccoli]

Any hot takes for this weekend? Not a major fan of the back to back games for the quarters and semis but I do enjoy it for this weekend. 8 teams will be left by Sunday night... crazy. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say of the top teams that are being talked about as favorites (RPI, RIT, SU, Tufts), Tufts has the best chance of not making it as far as predicted if Union handles Stevenson early. Tufts has a younger team that most likely will be playing in a hostile environment Sunday. Saturday is a grind to get your horses off the field early so every possession matters against lesser teams that are playing with nothing to lose. Creates an interesting weekend. Hope all players get through healthy so no questions are left unanswered. Excited for the next three weekends and to hear everyone's opinions. Also could see Scranton giving Dickinson a run

With that being said, my 8 teams playing next weekend... CNU, RIT, RPI, Tufts, St. Lawerence, Lynchburg (home field), SU, Middlebury

I agree with your Elite 8 except I think Wesleyan beats SLU in a one goal game. I just think they are firing on all cylinders right now. I also agree with your point about the back to backs. Playing in a final four off a back to back is unfair to the players. Not sure why they couldn’t do a Friday/Sunday situation like D1 does for the final four. I know it’s only 1 extra day but helps the players more than you would think.

100x infinity. It degrades the quality of play for so many reasons...the back to back games. 10lbs in a 5lb bag. NC$$.

[MVPiccoli]

Who has the hardest pod & who has the easiest?

I think if Salisbury weren't a big favorite over the majority of the field we would say they got a tough draw - - three combined losses between the Gulls, Endicott, and Swarthmore. Tufts/Union/Stevenson could all advance out of that pod and it wouldn't shock me. RIT probably has the clearest path to the quarter finals.

I saw that too. I haven't seen Endicott at all to comment, but the Garnet are really good. Who wants to walk in to the QF? I think that's boring as a player and a fan. Tests baby. Let's see who studied, who prepared, who gave up their social time to get better. Salisbury has to be jonesing for someone on the other sideline that can give them that.

My sleeper pick is the Bugs. I can see them getting hot and doing some real damage. The only team I'm really not interested in seeing advance is Dickinson. I'm sorry, that decision by their program to drop Cabrini from the schedule will always irritate me.

Salisbury has had a few game challenges thru out the season. York, G-burg, lynch, WAC all challenged at some point in their games but each time the Gulls responded and pulled away. Gulls appear to have a wealth of experience and group who returned for only one reason, win a 2nd in a row. Anything can happen in one game but seems they are not gonna trip up.

No question. They respond intensely to opponent runs. Those were challenges, but no one has taken them to their limit. I'd like to see them go into the 4th quarter down a few goals, or have the outcome in question during the final two minutes. They haven't been tested like that this year. EDIT: Those gut check moments are what makes the game really fun, revealing, and rewarding. I maintain that they are likely craving that experience. An opponent that doesn't go away.

[twohandsonestick]

Touching on the Friday games since they're on the slate tomorrow. RIT wins their game effortlessly easily, covering a 15-20 goal spread in my opinion. They’ve been mostly dominant all year and are proven perennial contenders and Hope is no where close to playing at the same level.

The Denison vs. Babson game is an interesting one – Babson is filled with experienced players thanks to a senior laden class as well as a handful of grad students (clear advantage over teams that don’t offer the ability of a 5th year). The Beavers are putting together what’s been likely their best season in recent memory and are definitely deserving of a top 10-15 ranking. Denison has been a national powerhouse for 10+ years thanks to the consistent quality of play seen during those Caravana years. With a new coach at the helm, the program has seen 2 “down” years, and while still making NCAA postseason runs, doesn’t quite seem to be at the level it was a 3-4 years ago. No doubt it takes a few years for coaches to get their mark on a program as their own recruiting classes come to fruition and I expect Denison to continue to compete for national championships for years to come. This is what makes the 3pm game so interesting – Babson, the unproven new team on the block versus a well-regarded Denison program. I wouldn’t be surprised if Denison keeps it close despite their poor OOC performance this season. To me this is a battle tested team so I am taking Denison 14-11. Thoughts on Friday’s games?

[SixBySix]

Denison hasn't beaten a team from East of the Pennsylvania border this year (don't fact check me on Transylvania), and I don't expect that to change tomorrow.

[twohandsonestick]

Led the entire game against a solid Generals team until a penalty filled 4th quarter swapped the results late in the 4th. Denison can compete even in this down year

[SKUD]

Welcome to the forum. If you look at it that way, Denison’s opponent had 3 bad quarters and should be 18-0.

[twohandsonestick]

Never said a close loss should be a win nor am I a Denison fan. Just making it clear they can compete. 14-11 Denison

[StevieUAlum]

Never said a close loss should be a win nor am I a Denison fan. Just making it clear they can compete. 14-11 Denison

I hated on Babson all year but they will handle Dension I think. 14-10 Babson.

[BallHunt]

Predictions

2nd Round winners (should get only a couple wrong)
RIT
Babson (too strong for Denison)
Dickinson
RPI (could be close because the fish hawks do that)
SLU
Tufts
Lynchburg
Bowdoin
Middlebury
Union
Wesleyan
Salisbury
CNU
W&L
Swarthmore (Endicott could make it close)
Stevens

3rd Round

Predictions in bold

RPI vs Bowdoin - I have seen both of these teams play and when they are clicking each could beat any other D3 team. This will not be a gimme game for RPI, but I don't think Bowdoin travels very well. Polar Bear's FOGO is excellent.

Dickinson vs Middlebury - I have seen Middlebury play and have watched Dickinson on video feeds. If the Red Devil's FOGO dominates they will have a good shot, but will have to beat the Panther zone D. I think Middlebury takes this game by a couple, #52 with several bombs.

Salisbury vs Swarthmore - If the Swarthmore youthful exuberance gets rolling they have a shot. But basically the Gulls.

Lynchburg vs W&L - Too bad these teams were not sprinkled elsewhere in the bracket, but if you gotta have a southern rematch this is a great one. I'm picking the Hornets by a couple.

RIT vs Babson - I have seen Babson this year, and they are strong. If they can get to the middle from up top they can score. Clearly, RIT is the favorite in this one but I think the game will be closer than comfortable. RIT by 3.

Christopher Newport vs Stephens - I have seen CNU this year and they can be stymied on offense. Watched the Dickinson-Stephens game earlier this year on the live feed and the Ducks can be assertive and score in bunches. This is my upset game, taking Stephens by a couple. If the CNU FOGO dominates completely I will be wrong.

Tufts vs Union - Union looked like a high school team at Bello earlier this season and could not handle the Jumbo's intensity. Not a repeat of that game, but Tufts cruises by several goals.

St Lawrence vs Wesleyan - I have not seen SLU at all this season, but have seen Wesleyan live and on video feed. Taking the Cards by 4.

[twohandsonestick]

Predictions

2nd Round winners (should get only a couple wrong)
RIT
Babson (too strong for Denison)
Dickinson
RPI (could be close because the fish hawks do that)
SLU
Tufts
Lynchburg
Bowdoin
Middlebury
Union
Wesleyan
Salisbury
CNU
W&L
Swarthmore (Endicott could make it close)
Stevens

3rd Round

Predictions in bold

RPI vs Bowdoin - I have seen both of these teams play and when they are clicking each could beat any other D3 team. This will not be a gimme game for RPI, but I don't think Bowdoin travels very well. Polar Bear's FOGO is excellent.

Dickinson vs Middlebury - I have seen Middlebury play and have watched Dickinson on video feeds. If the Red Devil's FOGO dominates they will have a good shot, but will have to beat the Panther zone D. I think Middlebury takes this game by a couple, #52 with several bombs.

Salisbury vs Swarthmore - If the Swarthmore youthful exuberance gets rolling they have a shot. But basically the Gulls.

Lynchburg vs W&L - Too bad these teams were not sprinkled elsewhere in the bracket, but if you gotta have a southern rematch this is a great one. I'm picking the Hornets by a couple.

RIT vs Babson - I have seen Babson this year, and they are strong. If they can get to the middle from up top they can score. Clearly, RIT is the favorite in this one but I think the game will be closer than comfortable. RIT by 3.

Christopher Newport vs Stephens - I have seen CNU this year and they can be stymied on offense. Watched the Dickinson-Stephens game earlier this year on the live feed and the Ducks can be assertive and score in bunches. This is my upset game, taking Stephens by a couple. If the CNU FOGO dominates completely I will be wrong.

Tufts vs Union - Union looked like a high school team at Bello earlier this season and could not handle the Jumbo's intensity. Not a repeat of that game, but Tufts cruises by several goals.

St Lawrence vs Wesleyan - I have not seen SLU at all this season, but have seen Wesleyan live and on video feed. Taking the Cards by 4.

I think you are spot on here other than the Stevens game. CNU takes that one by 4-5 goals

[Laxattackjack]

Predictions

2nd Round winners (should get only a couple wrong)
RIT
Babson (too strong for Denison)
Dickinson
RPI (could be close because the fish hawks do that)
SLU
Tufts
Lynchburg
Bowdoin
Middlebury
Union
Wesleyan
Salisbury
CNU
W&L
Swarthmore (Endicott could make it close)
Stevens

3rd Round

Predictions in bold

RPI vs Bowdoin - I have seen both of these teams play and when they are clicking each could beat any other D3 team. This will not be a gimme game for RPI, but I don't think Bowdoin travels very well. Polar Bear's FOGO is excellent.

Dickinson vs Middlebury - I have seen Middlebury play and have watched Dickinson on video feeds. If the Red Devil's FOGO dominates they will have a good shot, but will have to beat the Panther zone D. I think Middlebury takes this game by a couple, #52 with several bombs.

Salisbury vs Swarthmore - If the Swarthmore youthful exuberance gets rolling they have a shot. But basically the Gulls.

Lynchburg vs W&L - Too bad these teams were not sprinkled elsewhere in the bracket, but if you gotta have a southern rematch this is a great one. I'm picking the Hornets by a couple.

RIT vs Babson - I have seen Babson this year, and they are strong. If they can get to the middle from up top they can score. Clearly, RIT is the favorite in this one but I think the game will be closer than comfortable. RIT by 3.

Christopher Newport vs Stephens - I have seen CNU this year and they can be stymied on offense. Watched the Dickinson-Stephens game earlier this year on the live feed and the Ducks can be assertive and score in bunches. This is my upset game, taking Stephens by a couple. If the CNU FOGO dominates completely I will be wrong.

Tufts vs Union - Union looked like a high school team at Bello earlier this season and could not handle the Jumbo's intensity. Not a repeat of that game, but Tufts cruises by several goals.

St Lawrence vs Wesleyan - I have not seen SLU at all this season, but have seen Wesleyan live and on video feed. Taking the Cards by 4.

I think you are spot on here other than the Stevens game. CNU takes that one by 4-5 goals

to be fair, he was talking about Stephens, and you are talking about stevens