Johns Hopkins 2020

[jhu06]

thanks to those of you who went out and supported the men/wrote up these reports. Looking forward to this week and watching some new baby js take flight.

In the wake of Alex Woodall’s graduation, face-offs were an area of concern for Towson and they finished 9-of-29, and just 3-of-15 in the first half. Jack McNallen took the majority of the early draws and finished 5-of-14, while Joey Chestnutt went 4-of-14. Postgame, coach Shawn Nadelen lamented his team’s slow start and saw his team’s face-off woes compounded by missed groundball opportunities from the wings, in addition to his transition defense’s inability to slow down LaSalla when he carried the ball into the box.
https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... otos/55886

from Ils writeup of towson uva. Obviously towson is a better program and probably did not scheme for uva, but Prouty should have a monster game next week picking on them as they try to get going.

[molo]

I expect Hopkins to win next week, but not because UVA put up so many goals so fast against Towson. UVA will blow torch lots of teams this year. Nads will whip Towson into shape, but this early in the season, Hopkins, who is probably just outside the top ten, should prevail over a rebuilding Tiger team that needs to replace lots on offense as well as a dominant FOGO. Right now weather looks pretty good for next Saturday.

[steel_hop]

First, how is this on the second page. I'll now fix that issue.

Second, thanks H16 for the great reporting.

I’m hoping Giacalone gets the start next week. Team seems to respond to him.

DocBarrister

Third, I think everyone is going to be disappointed when Darby starts this weekend.

If Giacalone played the "second half" portion knowing Petro I suspect that Darby is your starter. You don't put him out there as your scrimmage starter and not expect him to be starting the 1st game. At least Petro wouldn't. Even if Giacalone outplayed him based on the numbers, Giacalone likely played against the "Twos" while Darby played against NOVA's starters and, thus, again what Petro will likely analyze is that Darby played tougher competition and that accounts for the differences in numbers.

Again, maybe I'm wrong but Darby is more than likely running out to start the game against Towson this weekend. Now, if he is still the starter at the end of the season is another story. The reports from 51% (dog distracted or not) and H16 seem to imply there is some concern though we can all hope he did make a significant jump in stopping the ball. Guess we find out on Saturday.

[HopFan16]

If Giacalone played the "second half" portion knowing Petro I suspect that Darby is your starter. You don't put him out there as your scrimmage starter and not expect him to be starting the 1st game. At least Petro wouldn't. Even if Giacalone outplayed him based on the numbers, Giacalone likely played against the "Twos" while Darby played against NOVA's starters and, thus, again what Petro will likely analyze is that Darby played tougher competition and that accounts for the differences in numbers.

Again, maybe I'm wrong but Darby is more than likely running out to start the game against Towson this weekend. Now, if he is still the starter at the end of the season is another story. The reports from 51% (dog distracted or not) and H16 seem to imply there is some concern though we can all hope he did make a significant jump in stopping the ball. Guess we find out on Saturday.

The Jays left most of their starters in for the 3rd quarter (other than goalie obviously)—and it's my assumption that Villanova did as well, though I admittedly wasn't paying attention to their side of the field so I'm not 100% sure about that. Either way, both the numbers and the eye test did not lie. Hop allowed 1 goal in 30 minutes of play with Giacalone in net. His save % was 83%. One or two of the saves were definitely of the "easy" variety but a few of them were rather impressive, including one he made with his foot in a near-split position as the ball was headed for the far corner. He just plays with a presence and energy that the goalie position at Homewood has been missing for years, not just last year. He explodes into shots. Perhaps it was a coincidence but it seemed to my eye that the defense—mostly the same guys who played the first half with Darby—matched his energy. It seems quite likely Darby entered that scrimmage in the better position but if it remains that way on Saturday against Towson then I will just be at a complete loss. The big guy will have to explain that choice.

BTW, the scrimmage was as much of a dress rehearsal for real action as you're gonna get. Even in the fourth quarter when more subs came in, it wasn't just a wholesale substitution of the bench. Both teams kept their starting man-up and man-down units in there and periodically mixed starters back in with backups. But for 3+ quarters it was pretty close to a real game.

Re: Epstein, your guess is as good as mine but Quint moved Hopkins to #16 in his rankings this week seemingly in part due to questions surrounding the injury. I have zero inside information but gun to my head, I would guess he does not play. If that's the case, there is still no excuse not to beat the Tigers.

[steel_hop]

The Jays left most of their starters in for the 3rd quarter (other than goalie obviously)—and it's my assumption that Villanova did as well, though I admittedly wasn't paying attention to their side of the field so I'm not 100% sure about that. Either way, both the numbers and the eye test did not lie. Hop allowed 1 goal in 30 minutes of play with Giacalone in net. His save % was 83%. One or two of the saves were definitely of the "easy" variety but a few of them were rather impressive, including one he made with his foot in a near-split position as the ball was headed for the far corner. He just plays with a presence and energy that the goalie position at Homewood has been missing for years, not just last year. He explodes into shots. Perhaps it was a coincidence but it seemed to my eye that the defense—mostly the same guys who played the first half with Darby—matched his energy. It seems quite likely Darby entered that scrimmage in the better position but if it remains that way on Saturday against Towson then I will just be at a complete loss. The big guy will have to explain that choice.

HF16,

I'm not arguing with your information and your opinion. I'm just saying one of Petro's biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses is his loyalty. And maybe the scrimmage changed the calculus but I wouldn't be surprised in the least when Darby is starting between the pipes on Saturday. In fact, if I was a wagering man I would but very good odds that Darby is the starter. I'd also argue that if Giacalone had a chance at starting on Saturday, he would have gotten time in the 2nd quarter against all of the 1st for NOVA

Giacalone needed to essentially stand on his head for the entire fall and preseason to have any chance over Darby and Darby would have had to been completely awful.

[DocBarrister]

No matter how Petro may or may not have made decisions about playing time in recent seasons, I am confident he will start the players this season whom he truly believes can win him games.

I have never really bought the “loyalty” theory. I especially don’t see that being applicable this season.

IF Coach Petro’s future at Hopkins is not yet secure (and I don’t have any inside information about that), then there is nothing like job security to focus one’s attention.

I think the Blue Jays will have a very special season.

DocBarrister

[WOMBAT, Mod Emeritus]

Loyalty theory.

I’ll give you a clue to one early example, but will only confirm by PM.

Tall. Lanky. Constantly looked like a yard sale waiting to happen.


Another example: short. Specialist. And for some unfathomable reason, man down unit.

[51percentcorn]

I’m hoping Giacalone gets the start next week. Team seems to respond to him.

Not quite sure how you draw that conclusion off of one data point from 3,000 miles away - A scrimmage on February 1st at that. Not quite sure what responds means either. Maybe Petro made some fantastic defensive adjustments between the 2nd and 3rd quarters and the defense executed better. Maybe Villanova decided to try some different offensive looks and sets just to try them out and they didn't go well. Who knows? I think I would like to see Giacalone get the start myself - but not because of some intangible I can't begin to identify but because the other guy didn't play very well last year and in my opinion showed a particular weakness on outside shots. 198 GA over 161 saves. 6 Saves over 18 GA in the Big 10 Title game. I think Steelhop is correct, however. Starting Darby in two consecutive weeks of scrimmages is the clearest data point you have and I would be surprised - not absolutely fall down stunned - but surprised if the RS Senior is in between the pipes.

[WOMBAT, Mod Emeritus]

Remember Murtha.

It could happen.

[steel_hop]

Starting Darby in two consecutive weeks of scrimmages is the clearest data point you have and I would be surprised - not absolutely fall down stunned - but surprised if the RS Senior is in between the pipes.

You can look at it in two ways (both leave question marks)
1) Darby showed in practice that he is the starter. That would be somewhat concerning given what Darby demonstrated last year. There is no doubt players improve over seasons and a 1st year goalie can improve though the reports from the scrimmages leave some questions on that.

Issue: Either the back-ups weren't very good or didn't show enough to unseat Darby under the view that most coaches take about replacing a starter - you have to really demonstrate you are a better option;

2) Petro was using the scrimmages to see how Darby would do and if he didn't play well, he would start Giacalone. In other words, if he failed Darby was on the bench. Coming from the NOVA scrimmage doesn't sound like he played particularly well. Again, there are lots of moving parts in scrimmages so this needs to be taken with a grain of salt (and this is coming from a pessimist about Darby).

Issue: I think it would be beyond crazy to do this. I'd understand the element of surprise such that Towson wouldn't be ready for the left-handed Giacalone over right handed Darby but that is too cute by half. You want your starting goalie to see top level shots and talent to get ready for the season. I could see throwing Darby out there for the first scrimmage but not the second under this view.

I wouldn't be surprised if Giacalone started but my money is on Darby. I'd also imagine he has a short leash.

[WOMBAT, Mod Emeritus]

There are the deliberate deception and disinformation angles too.

[molo]

Petro summoning his inner Sun Tzu?

[ColumbiaBlueBlack]

Again, there are lots of moving parts in scrimmages so this needs to be taken with a grain of salt (and this is coming from a pessimist about Darby).

My Q1 notes say this:
V goal #1 = runner across the top, hands free, 12 yds, anyone wanna' play D??
V goal #2 = too f'king easy -- pass from left alley to up top to right cannon -- see comment to goal #1
V goal #3 = right hander from no angle
V goal #4 = pass into the middle of the hole, shooter untouched, you try to stop that one
V goal #5 = shot, save, rebound directly to middle of the hole, stuffed back in

So, just sayin', it ain't all the goalie's fault.

[HopFan16]

My Q1 notes say this:
V goal #1 = runner across the top, hands free, 12 yds, anyone wanna' play D??
V goal #2 = too f'king easy -- pass from left alley to up top to right cannon -- see comment to goal #1
V goal #3 = right hander from no angle
V goal #4 = pass into the middle of the hole, shooter untouched, you try to stop that one
V goal #5 = shot, save, rebound directly to middle of the hole, stuffed back in

So, just sayin', it ain't all the goalie's fault.

I feel like there were a few similar posts last season explaining away why or why not the goalie should, or shouldn't, have made specific saves. Here or there, it makes sense—the goalie certainly cannot be blamed for every goal the defense gives up. But this to me reads a bit like making excuses. I don't remember #s 1, 2, or 4 vividly, but I do recall the two others. #3 needed to be a save. And #5, well, rebounds are death.

The defense is going to give up shots. At some point, you've just got to make some saves.

[DocBarrister]

Again, there are lots of moving parts in scrimmages so this needs to be taken with a grain of salt (and this is coming from a pessimist about Darby).

My Q1 notes say this:
V goal #1 = runner across the top, hands free, 12 yds, anyone wanna' play D??
V goal #2 = too f'king easy -- pass from left alley to up top to right cannon -- see comment to goal #1
V goal #3 = right hander from no angle
V goal #4 = pass into the middle of the hole, shooter untouched, you try to stop that one
V goal #5 = shot, save, rebound directly to middle of the hole, stuffed back in

So, just sayin', it ain't all the goalie's fault.

Hear what you’re sayin’ and I agree with your larger point.

Having said that, in Petro’s system (everyone’s system?) a big part of the goalie’s job is directing the defense. We know that Darby has had “communication issues” in the past. Hasn’t always been known to be the most vocal leader on D. Don’t know if he has progressed on that front. Don’t know if Giacalone is better in that regard. Just saying that having good team defense relies to some degree on the goalie’s leadership skills on the field.

DocBarrister

[Laxrat]

A few of Nova’s goal are shown on their instagram

[HopFan16]

Wouldn't be an offseason without some Zapruder film:



Is that #32 out there practicing or do mine eyes deceive me? I suppose they could have dressed a decoy in the #32 pinnie as the ultimate subterfuge.

3 days, folks. 3. Days.

[houndace1]

Wouldn't be an offseason without some Zapruder film:



Is that #32 out there practicing or do mine eyes deceive me? I suppose they could have dressed a decoy in the #32 pinnie as the ultimate subterfuge.

3 days, folks. 3. Days.

oh my did Cole Williams cut his hair??? also impressive was the re-dodge behind the goal into the swim move to create space.

[houndace1]

HF16'. by the way. What's the status update for Epstein? Do we know if he will play on saturday?

Praying that he does but if he doesn't, do you believe that some of the impressive freshmen who got playing time in scrimmages, make an impact?

[HopFan16]

HF16'. by the way. What's the status update for Epstein? Do we know if he will play on saturday?

Praying that he does but if he doesn't, do you believe that some of the impressive freshmen who got playing time in scrimmages, make an impact?

As I said before, I truly have no idea. My gut says he doesn't play but that is pure conjecture.

In the scrimmage I saw, Murphy wasn't carrying the ball much, but he should be able to score some goals as an off-ball wing shooter. Angelus is a little more versatile IMO—perhaps he does some work behind the cage if Epstein is unable to go. I think they'll throw both those guys out there—possibly with Degnon and others getting mixed in on attack as well—until one guy emerges as the "hot hand." But I'd expect to see a healthy dose of Cole Williams. BTW, no one on Villanova could cover Cole 1-on-1 when he dodged from up top. They couldn't cover the kid. Got to the middle with his hands free at will. Might have scored 10 goals if he played the whole game. I'm only slightly exaggerating.